AITA for Prioritizing My Dogs Over Quality Time with Girlfriend?

AITA for prioritizing my dogs over my girlfriend? OP faces backlash for running home to care for his dogs, leaving partner feeling neglected.

Damjan

Published in Interesting
26 Dec 2025

AITA for Prioritizing My Dogs Over Quality Time with Girlfriend?

In a world where pets are often considered part of the family, one Reddit user finds themselves caught in a whirlwind of complicated emotions and responsibilities. The original poster (OP), in a relationship that’s just five months old, has been trying to balance the demands of their two daughters, girlfriend, and two beloved dogs.

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As they navigate the tricky waters of merging families, tensions arise when OP regularly leaves their girlfriend’s house to ensure their dogs are cared for. This has led to a clash of priorities and expectations, with OP’s girlfriend expressing frustration over what she perceives as a disruption to their time together.

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The situation raises several questions about responsibility, boundaries, and the sacrifices we make for loved ones, be they human or furry. Is OP right to prioritize their pets, or is their girlfriend justified in feeling sidelined?

With comments ranging from outright criticism of OP's choices to calls for more understanding in the relationship, this thread highlights the complex dynamics of blended families and the importance of communication. What do you think?

Is OP in the wrong for prioritizing their dogs, or is their girlfriend being unreasonable? Join the discussion and share your thoughts!

Original Post

Me and the currently girlfriend have been dating for about 5 months, and we recently started moving in together at her place, well sort of. I still have my house and it has my office in it and most of my homely things.

This includes my two dogs! I also have two daughters that float with me to her house with her two kids!

Anyways, she works late as a teacher so I usually get to her place before hand and get dinner started, do laundry, dishes, get kids in bed time routine and all that, and then she gets home wants to relax and unwind, at some point towards the end of our night, I run home to let my dogs out, feed them and make sure they are good for the night. I do live roughly 15 mins from her place, so it’s roughly just under an hour to drive, let dogs out, bring them back in and then drive back!

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And almost every single night she has been upset, like I choose to disrupt our “time together” to leave for an hour! She says I’m prioritizing the dogs over her!!!

But I’m just doing my due diligence as a dog owner!!! Please tell me if I’m wrong or something?!??