'We'll talk when you're less selfish about this': Roommate adopts 70-pound dog while her housemate is on a work trip, then demands he pay for the new pupper or move out after coming home

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 10, 2026 8:15 AM EDT

What would you do if you came home and found out your roommate adopted a giant dog without telling you?

This, among many other reasons, is why I no longer live with roommates. A) I'm too old for that, B) I'm married (so technically, I do live with a roommate, but I chose him for life), and C) I've lived through my fair share of crazy roommates to have to deal with another one. Some roommates are really messy, some keep you up all ours of the night, and others don't pay the bills on time. No one is perfect. But this roommate from Reddit's r/offmychest subreddit went and adopted a dog while her other housemate was on a 10-day work trip. Not just any dog. A big dog. A 70-pound dog she got off of Facebook Marketplace, to be exact.

You know, this exact same thing happened to me while I was living in Portland, Oregon. My 40-something-year-old roommate (I was in my mid 20's) had been talking about wanting a dog, and finally went out and got one. The main difference is that I love dogs, and she actually took really good care of her dog. Unlike the roommate in our story below, who expected her housemate to pay 50-50 for her dog because, apparently, Biscuit was now "part of the household". 

Just when you thought you'd seen all the insanity the world has to offer, the internet goes and throws you another curveball like this one. Dogs are not a joint expense, especially as roommates. He wasn't involved in the decision to adopt Biscuit, so he shouldn't be involved in paying for Biscuit. In case you didn't know what entitlement looked like, this is the pawfect definition.

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  • 01
    'Since Biscuit is now "part of the household," it's only fair that I split his expenses going forward
    via Sandra Seitamaa

    Woman sitting with new dog in apartment

    Subjects are models

  • 02
    I have been living with my roommate Priya for a year and a half. Good roommate, generally. We split rent 50/50, utilities 50/50, all normal stuff.
    via GlobeCoder
  • 03
    I went on a 10-day work trip last month. Came home to a dog. A full grown, 70-pound dog named Biscuit that she got from a "rescue" (I use quotes because I later found out it was actually just a guy on Facebook Marketplace rehoming his dog for free, not an actual shelter).
    via GlobeCoder

  • This detail is negligible, in my opinion. Why does it matter whether she got Biscuit from a guy rehoming his dog or from a shelter? The main point is that she adopted a dog without even discussing it first with someone she lives with. That's beyond my comprehension. What if he had been terrified of big dogs? What would she have done then?

  • 04
    She didn't ask me. Didn't text me. Didn't mention it once during the entire 10 days. I opened the door and there was just... a dog. Living in our apartment. With a bed, toys, a crate, the whole setup already assembled.
    via GlobeCoder
  • 05
    I was actually fine with it at first, ngl. I like dogs. I said something like "oh he's cute, you should've told me though" and she got weirdly defensive, like I'd attacked her.
    via GlobeCoder
  • 06
    Fast forward two weeks. Biscuit has chewed through one of my work bags, had two accidents on the rug in the living room (our shared rug, that I bought), and barks every single morning at 6am when Priya leaves for her shift, which wakes me up every day because my room is right next to the front door.
    via GlobeCoder
  • 07
    I brought this up gently. Asked if we could crate him when she's not home, or get some training in, whatever. She said dogs need freedom and crating is "basically prison" and I was being dramatic about "one accident" (it was two, and also the rug).
    via GlobeCoder
  • 08
    Then last night she sits me down and says since Biscuit is now "part of the household," it's only fair that I split his expenses going forward, food, vet bills, the $340 emergency vet visit from LAST WEEK because he ate a sock (my sock, that he stole out of my laundry basket). She said if I'm not willing to "contribute to the family," maybe I should think about whether this is really the right living situation for me.
    via GlobeCoder
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10644962560
    via Erin Vey

    Woman pets her dog inside her shared apartment

    Model representation - subjects are not members of the actual story

  • 10
    She adopted a dog without asking me, the dog has damaged my property, and now I'm being told I might need to move out of the apartment I've lived in for a year and a half because I won't pay vet bills for an animal I never agreed to live with.
    via GlobeCoder

  • When you adopt a dog, you're also claiming responsibility for everything they do, and that includes anything they destroy. They don't mean to do it, of course, they don't understand that it's wrong. It's up to their owner to make sure they know the rules of the world they adopted them into.

  • 11
    I told her no. She's now not speaking to me and left a passive aggressive sticky note on the fridge that just says "we'll talk when you're less selfish about this." Am I actually the unreasonable one here?
    via GlobeCoder
  • 12
    Catcatcat202 NTA. She's actually insane.
    via Catcatcat202
  • 13
    kendricklemon Is your name on the lease? Does the apartment even allow for pets? You should be firm in your stance. This is not a "family" it is just a household and she decided to bring in this new addition. The dog is her responsibility in every way and she needs to figure out how to raise it without you
    via kendricklemon
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10644969984
    via Bethany Ellis

    Newly adopted dog sitting on the floor of new apartment 

    Dog is a model

  • 15
    Ladydi-bds She needs to get a grip and pay for everything "her" dog has destroyed of yours as you should be reimbursed. No way should pay for anything to do with the dog. She is delusional. Would start looking for new places.
    via Ladydi-bds
  • 16
    lending_ear NTA she's insane. this can't be real. Eject. Do not pass go. do not collect $200. Start looking for another place and give your notice. F☐ that st. And I'm a huge dog and animal lover.
    via lending_ear
  • 17
    crayolastorm From where I'm sitting, your roommate owes you money for your damaged property.
    via crayolastorm
  • 18
    MooMooTheDummy That's actually crazy I have a dog and rent a bedroom and you best believe that I pay for everything for MY dog including the treats given to her when I'm not home. Sometimes people will gift my dog stuff or bring her places
    via MooMooTheDummy
  • 19
    Tell her that's her dog she adopted on her own without ever even asking you. She owes you for everything the dog has destroyed of yours plus every dog related expense. She's insane though actually it sounds you should probably move out.
    via MooMooTheDummy
  • 20
    Angelinasmashington You are not unreasonable. She should have asked you first and not just decided. The dog is 100% her responsibility and I wouldn't pay anything for it. Does your landlord know she has the dog? If not that already could end up being a problem.
    via Angelinasmashington
  • 21
    6poundpuppy You owe her exactly ZERO for the dog, now and forevermore. This is her dog. Her vet bills. End of story. Depending on the lease situation and how the landlord feels about housing a dog, you can either boot them both to the curb or.....you can move out. Don't fall for her nonsensical gaslighting; she's De LooLoo!
    via 6poundpuppy
  • 22
    dragonflies2299 Nope since you got a dog - without consulting me, you can pay for his expenses without consulting me.
    via dragonflies2299
  • 23
    Potential_Ad_1397 A dog is not a household cost. You shouldn't pay for anything NTA But I would probably start looking for places and/or look for the lease to see if it says anything about pets.
    via Potential_Ad_1397
  • 24
    Could_B_Wild NO and find a new place to say. Edit: She is finding out dogs cost tons of money, vets, food, training etc and wants to dump half on you. That barking will eventually be a problem for others in your building, check your lease and be prepared to relocate yourself.
    via Could_B_Wild
  • 25
    ktwriter111 My opinion, (and I'm sure a court opinion also) is that had your roommate consulted you, and you agreed, you could be expected to pay half of all pet expenses. However based on your description, she made the decision to adopt the pet
    via ktwriter111
  • 26
    therefore owns the responsibility to feed it, care for it, walk it, and all veterinarian services needed. If she moved out she would take the pet with her. She also did not consult with you before adopting it. Therefore, yes you can enjoy the pet but have no responsibility for the care of, or any damage caused by her pet.
    via ktwriter111

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