Wife refuses to give up the dog she bought behind husband's back, despite already having three cats and a ferret they can barely afford, he moves out as a response: ‘I packed my bags and left’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Oct 20, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Just as some couples don't plan on having kids, yet it happens "by surprise", that is how some pets come into a family's life.

They might not plan it, or even expect it, but some pets find their way into their owners' lives without a warning. It should be a wonderful surprise, one that families welcome with open arms, as long as they can actually take care of this adorable addition to the household.

If a couple cannot afford to take care of a pet, they shouldn't take one in, simple as that. This is exactly the mindset of the husband in the story below – he, his wife, 3 stepdaughters, their three cats, and one ferret are currently staying at the husband's sister's house. The husband and wife agreed that they want to get a dog when they are in a better financial situation, but all of a sudden, the wife arrived home with a dog she had bought. 

Feeling cornered, the husband asked the wife to keep the dog away from their room, yet she refused. This blatant disregard for his input was the last straw that broke the camel's back, and the husband packed his bags and moved out.

Keep scrolling to read the full story.

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  • 01
    Adorable Puppy Sitting on Wooden Deck with Owners, title: "It's my dog and he's staying"
    via SeventyFour

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    AITA for leaving my wife after buying ANOTHER animal without talking to me about it?

    My wife (32f) bought a dog while I was at work. She's been wanting to get a dog for years but with our current financial and living situation it isn't reasonable and wouldnt be fair to the animals we already have.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 03
    My wife, 3 stepdaughters and I are currently staying at my sisters house while we get back on our feet.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 04
    We have 3 cats and a ferret, the ferret was recently bought without me being involved in the decision as well.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 05
    The third cat i was guilted in to keeping after one of my stepdaughters found it outside.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 06
    I work for Wal-Mart and my wife is my sister's caregiver making around $150 a week so neither of us make much, which makes me feel most of the financial responsibilities would fall on me.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 07
    Plus with the way her children act, figting at school, cursing out teachers, not doing their schoolwork and constant backtalk and disrespect, I feel we had enough on our plate as it is.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 08
    We even recently had a discussion about getting a dog once the kids were grown and after we were in a better situation financially which she agreed on.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 09
    Then I get a text while at work saying she got a surprise and to not be mad with a picture of the dog.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 10
    Initially I was upset but I just asked her to keep the dog out of our room, her response was "its my dog and hes staying in our room".
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 11
    That completely pissed me off to the point that I packed my bags and left. Her reasoning, because of course theres 2 sides to every story.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 12
    She's tired of doing what only I want. She lives there too so she should be able to get a dog.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 13
    Im a narcissist. I gaslight her. We only do what I want. AITA for leaving.
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 14
    cats sitting on a wooden deck
    via Kristina Fatina

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    Senior-Abies9969 Did she ask sister who is housing you all?
    via Senior-Abies9969
  • 16
    OP Specialist_Ad525 My sister told her she didn't care
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 17
    Alternative_Fee1447 All I know for sure is the last thing you need to add to the fiasco life you are living is another ANIMAL. (the dog). You do not give enough info on how long the marriage is, ages of step-daughter's, if the girls have bio father or father's (to pay child support), nor the ages of the children, nor why in the hell your wife, yourself, are allowing the children to act like holy terrors! Their behavior at this point is waaay out of control. Edit to add/ I would get my own place
    via Alternative_Fee1447
  • 18
    OP Specialist_Ad525 7 year marriage, father doesn't pay his child support and sees them a few times a year as long as we provide the transportation. And everytime i would try and discipline the children for their behavior, no electronics or going to friends houses, their mom steps in and says they aren't my kids
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 19
    BefuddledPolydactyls INFO: She didn't ask you, did she ask your sister, since it's her house? Would your sister want your wife, her children, and their pets to continue living there while you, her brother, move out? I'd guess you were the reason you were allowed to live there?
    via BefuddledPolydactyls
  • 20
    OP Specialist_Ad525 My sister apparently didn't care as long as it was taken care of. She has a problem telling people no and just wants us to all get along. When the dog was purchased I was at work. So i didn't even know it was happening
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 21
    Moist-Release-9227 Why would you pack a bag and leave? Its your sister's house. Kick her and her disrespectful kids out. Updateme
    via Moist-Release-9227
  • 22
    OP Specialist_Ad525 My sister does everything she can to avoid confrontation. When I talked to her privately she just told me she wants everyone to get along. She told her she didn't care if she got a dog
    via Specialist_Ad525
  • 23
    FormSuccessful1122 Who the hell buys and gets pets while living in someone else's house? NTA
    via FormSuccessful1122
  • 24
    Ok_Consequence3457 This sounds like a break from everything you didn't cause Imao! You should work to get yourself an apartment, get yourself together, and see if you even enjoy living that way. It just seems like she's going to keep adding more to your pile til you break. Best to leave now before she wants another kid and you're stuck in your sisters house forever
    via Ok_Consequence3457
  • 25
    Current-Ad-3233 nta- getting a dog to live in a shared space isn't a choice she can make by herself. plus i'm wondering if the other pets are even getting taken care of well, given the potentially stressful situation.
    via Current-Ad-3233
  • 26
    growing_quart Sounds like the dog was the last straw, not the whole reason. You've been trying to communicate and she keeps making big decisions alone. You deserve a say in things that affect your finances and home.
    via growing_quart

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family drama dogs aita marriage adoption pets kids wife reddit story relationships husband family Reddit Cats dog adoption children
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