Family Dog Rehomed Without Kids Consent: AITA? | Reddit Thread

A 37-year-old woman says she had to rehome her family dog, Luna, after a job relocation, and the part that’s blowing up her marriage is that her kids were left out of the decision.

OP, her husband, and their children, Sarah (10) and Jack (8), had Luna for five years, and both kids treated her like a sibling. When moving became too costly and complicated, the parents made a last-minute call to place Luna with a trusted family friend, then waited until they were settled in the new home to tell the kids.

Now Sarah won’t speak to them properly, Jack is unusually quiet, and OP is stuck wondering if “doing what was best for Luna” still makes her the villain.

Original Post

I (37F) recently had to relocate due to a job offer in another state. Quick background: we had a beloved family dog, Luna, for 5 years.

My husband (39M) and I knew moving would be challenging, but we didn't anticipate the emotional toll it would take on our children: Sarah (10F) and Jack (8M). Sarah and Jack adored Luna; she was like a sibling to them.

We initially planned on taking Luna with us to the new state, but unforeseen circumstances arose, making it impractical and costly to bring her across state lines. In the midst of packing and last-minute arrangements, we made the difficult decision to rehome Luna with a trusted family friend without consulting Sarah and Jack.

After we settled into our new home, we broke the news to the kids about Luna's new living situation. They were devastated, particularly Sarah, who felt betrayed that we didn't involve them in the decision.

Sarah refuses to speak to us properly, and Jack is unusually quiet. My husband and I are torn; we thought we were doing what was best for Luna, but now we see the pain in our kids' eyes and wonder if we made a grave mistake.

So, AITAH?

The Weight of Decisions

This situation highlights how the pressures of adult decisions can ripple through a family. The mother and father faced a tough choice in rehoming Luna without consulting their kids, Sarah and Jack. With the chaos of relocation, it’s easy to overlook the emotional stakes for children who often view pets as family members.

The parents likely thought they were acting in the best interest of their kids, but that decision has left a wound on their children's trust. The fact that this wasn’t a discussion but rather a unilateral decision adds layers to the conflict. How do you balance practicality with emotional needs when it comes to family dynamics?

While OP and her husband were scrambling to pack and relocate, Sarah and Jack were still living in the routine where Luna was basically part of the family schedule.

Comment from u/CrazyCatLady99

YTA, kids form strong bonds with pets. They needed to be part of the decision, no matter how tough. Poor Luna and poor kids. They deserved better.

Comment from u/AdventureSeeker12

NAH, it sounds like a tough situation. You were likely stressed about the move and thought rehoming Luna was the best option. But kids need to feel included in big decisions, especially about a beloved pet.

Comment from u/CoffeeLover83

ESH. Kids should've been consulted, but moving is chaotic. Luna was part of their family too. Apologize to the kids, involve them in Luna's new life, and make amends.

Comment from u/LunaMoonBeam

NTA. Sometimes tough decisions have to be made quickly. Your kids will understand in time. Luna's well-being mattered, and you did what you thought was best.

After the move, the news landed on Sarah and Jack that Luna was going to a trusted family friend, with zero kid input and a whole lot of emotional whiplash.

Comment from u/RockNRollDad

OP, YTA. You should've talked to Sarah & Jack abt Luna's rehoming. Imagine how scared Luna must be in a new place w/o her family. Apologize to the kids & try to make things right.

This echoes the dilemma of whether to rehome a neglected family cat without telling a partner.

Comment from u/TechEnthusiast007

Oh man, tough spot. ESH, but mostly you. Kids form deep connections with pets. Luna was their friend too. Hope you can make it right and ease the hurt your decision caused.

Comment from u/DaisyDreamer22

NAH, it's understandable the stress of moving may have clouded your judgment. Luna was a part of your kids' lives. Apologize, involve them in Luna's new home, and help them cope with the change.

That’s when Sarah started refusing to speak “properly,” and Jack went unusually quiet, like he was trying to process the betrayal in silence.

Comment from u/BookWorm87

YTA. Kids should've been part of the decision. Luna was like a family member to them. The pain of losing a pet is real. Apologize and involve them in Luna's new life to heal the rift.

Comment from u/StarGazer55

NTA. Moving is stressful; tough choices have to be made. Kids will eventually understand, but they needed to be part of the choice. Luna deserves love wherever she is.

Comment from u/PizzaLover123

YTA, kids see pets as family. Luna was part of their world. You should've discussed it with Sarah & Jack. Hope you can mend things and help the kids come to terms with Luna's new situation.

Now OP and her husband are stuck between their “Luna would be safer” logic and the look on the kids’ faces that suggests they broke something bigger than a plan.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

Community Reactions: A Divided Opinion

This Reddit thread sparked a lot of debate, revealing how polarized opinions can be on parenting decisions. Some commenters empathized with the parents, arguing that sometimes you have to make tough calls in the name of practicality. Others were quick to point out that rehoming a pet without consulting the kids can feel like a betrayal.

This division reflects a broader tension in parenting styles—how much should kids be involved in decisions that affect their lives? The emotional fallout for Sarah and Jack and the parents' motivations create a moral gray area that many parents might find themselves navigating.

Where Things Stand

This story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities in family decision-making, especially when it involves beloved pets. The emotional consequences of such decisions often linger long after the practicalities have been addressed. So, how do families strike a balance between adult responsibilities and children's emotional well-being? It’s a question worth pondering as we navigate our own family dynamics.

What It Comes Down To

The situation with the family and their dog Luna highlights how the pressures of relocation can overshadow the emotional needs of children. The parents, likely overwhelmed by the demands of moving, made a quick decision to rehome Luna without considering how deeply Sarah and Jack felt about her. This oversight not only led to heartbreak for the kids but also a significant breach of trust, as they viewed Luna as part of their family. It raises an important question about how families navigate tough choices and the importance of including children in decisions that directly affect their lives.

The dog got a new home, but the family might have just lost their trust.

Before you decide about Luna, see why refusing a friend’s dog adoption after mistreatment blew up a friendship.