Sibling refuses to give sister the family dog after years of solely taking care of him, despite sister's claims he is legally hers: 'She thinks he's a toy with no feelings'

Advertisement
  • 01
    A Woman Reading a Book while Sitting on a Windowsill with Her Shiba Inu Dog
  • 02

    AITAH for refusing to give my sister the “family dog” after I secretly paid all the vet bills for years?

    So this has turned into a whole family situation and now a couple of people are telling me I'm being petty and childish, but I honestly don't think I am.
  • 03
    About 7 years ago my sister adopted a puppy. Technically the dog was "hers", but she lived with me at the time so the dog ended up bonding with me a lot.
  • 04
    I work from home so I was the one walking him, feeding him half the time, taking him to the park etc.
  • 05
    About a year after she got him she started traveling a lot for work. Like gone for weeks at a time.
  • 06
    So the dog basically stayed with me most of the time anyway. Here's the part she doesn't really acknowledge, she's so careless about his welfare or anything she never even cares to ask, the dog started having some health issues when he was about 3years old at the time.
  • 07
    It was Nothing crazy but he needed regular vet visits, medication, checkups and all that, I always sorted the bills.
  • 08
    My sister would say she'd pay me back but it never really happened. After a while I just stopped asking because it was awkward and I didn't want the dog to go without treatment.
  • 09
    Over the years I've probably spent a few thousand on vet bills, food, grooming, and honestly just normal stuff like toys and beds.
  • 10
    I never kept receipts because at the time it felt weird to treat it like a transaction.
  • 11
    Fast forward to now. She's moving to another state and suddenly wants to "take her dog back".
  • 12
    The dog is 8 now and has lived with me full time for the last 4 years.
  • 13
    Shiba Inu dog standing in a backyard
  • 14
    When she told me this I said I'm not comfortable with that. The dog is settled here, he's older now, and I've basically been his owner for years.
  • 15
    Also selfishly yeah I'm attached to him at this point. She got really upset and said I'm stealing her dog and that helping with the dog financially didn't make him mine.
  • 16
    My parents are kinda split. My mom thinks the dog should stay where he's comfortable but my dad says technically it's her dog.
  • 17
    My sister also said if it's "about the money" she could try to pay me back but that's not even really the point anymore.
  • 18
    Now it's turned into a whole argument and some relatives are messaging me saying I'm being stubborn and making things harder when she's already stressed about moving.
  • 19
    I feel like after 7 years and especially the last 4 of the dog living with me full time it's not crazy that I don't want him uprooted and taken across the country.
  • 20
    But maybe I'm too emotionally involved to see it clearly. AITA?
  • 21
    MistressJacklyn Hyde I feel NTA. You had the dog for 4 years! She hasn't paid for food or maintenance. Nothing. The dog has bonded with you. Not sure why your sister suddenly wants (or even time) for the dog, but I wouldn't give it up.
  • 22
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply it really hurts, i made a lot of sacrifices and i don't regret doing them but it hurts.
  • 23
    Nanabanafofana NTA. Under the law, dogs are a property. I know they are really family, but legally, they are property. Based on your accounting and timetable, she has abandoned the dog. The dog is now yours. Go get her micro chipped in your name.
  • 24
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply thanks guys, i'm definitely using this against her if to comes to it
  • 25
    Classic_Ad3987 Take the dog to your vet and get him chipped. Now you have legal proof that he is yours. If your sister complains to others, ask her to show you and them receipts for vet visits, food, toys, etc.
  • 26
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply sounds like the ideal way to protect the dog
  • 27
    Flimsy-Fortune-6437 It's not about you or your sister. The dog is a living, breathing being. It's about what's best for him. He's bonded with you. Also, she doesn't have a track record of having the resources or inclination to take care of him and as he gets older he'll need more and more expensive care. It's best for the dog for him to stay with you.
  • 28
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply AGREED!!! some people still see dogs like play things in 2026
  • 29
    13ex_G Nta she abandoned the dog. They are not toys to be forgotten. Keep the dog.
  • 30
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply she thinks they are toys with no feelings, smh.
  • 31
    Bethechangeurme Tell her new house, new dog. Let the poor thing live his last years with you, without the stress of moving and getting acclimated to new and strange surroundings. She wants a dog, go to the pound and get one.
  • 32
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply i'm not letting her have him, i can't stand seeing him being treated like trash
  • 33
    sagpluto NTA. If she actually cared about the dog she'd know keeping him where he's comfortable... which is with you.
  • 34
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply his well being is the least of her worries sadly
  • 35
    Disastrous_Change662 NTA. You're right, it's not about the money. It's about, like it or not, the 'other' L-word. And cats and dogs are the same here, but it's the L- word from them, too. ...AND the house. But mostly the bond.
  • 36
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply the bond is everything, she knows deep down she doesn't love the dog like i do
  • 37
    Euphoric_Rope6296 I'd be concerned about her having the dog or any dog at this point. If she's been this way with it for the past eight years, I'd be worried about the dog being neglected or handed off to someone else.
  • 38
    Due_Bowl_7851 Original Poster's Reply it's really worrying, she doesn't deserve to own a dog

Tags

Scroll Down For The Next Article