Struggling over Custody: AITA for Keeping My Beloved Dog Away from My Ex?

Breakups are messy, but this one got weirdly animal-centered, fast. A 28-year-old guy just tried to move on from a five-year relationship, and somehow the real fight became who gets to take home Max the dog.

He and his ex, Emma, had agreed on a week-on, week-off custody plan, but the second Max started coming back from Emma’s week, something was off. He’d be anxious, visibly stressed, and even sick-looking, and the OP says he eventually found Max wasn’t getting proper food or exercise while Emma was juggling a new job and leaving him alone for long hours.

So the OP made a move that shocked everyone, he pushed for full custody, and now the comments are split.

Original Post

I (28M) recently went through a breakup with my partner (26F) of five years, Emma. When we decided to part ways, the question of our dog, Max, became a huge point of contention.

We adopted Max together three years ago, and he's been my rock through thick and thin. For background, Emma and I initially agreed to share custody of Max, each having him for a week at a time.

However, after the first week with Emma, I noticed Max was anxious and not himself when he returned. I discovered that Emma had been leaving him alone for long hours as she started a new job.

I felt devastated seeing Max so distressed. I expressed my concerns to Emma, hoping she would make adjustments for Max's well-being.

Unfortunately, the situation didn't improve. Max would come back to me, visibly stressed and unwell.

I couldn't stand seeing him suffer. The breaking point came when I noticed a lack of proper food and exercise during Emma's time with Max. I confronted Emma, pleading with her to prioritize Max's care, but she dismissed my worries as overreacting.

I made a tough decision to fight for full custody of Max to ensure he receives the love and care he deserves. Emma disagrees, claiming I'm being selfish and unfair by denying her time with Max.

Friends and family are split in their opinions, some supporting my stance while others believe I should share custody despite the challenges. So, AITA?

I just want what's best for Max, but Emma sees it differently.

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This is similar to the AITA pet-custody battle where an ex demanded Luna after emotional attachment.

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Right after Max’s first return from Emma’s week, OP noticed the change, and it set off the whole custody war.

When OP confronted Emma about the long hours alone, and the food and exercise situation, she brushed it off as “overreacting.”

That’s when OP decided he couldn’t keep watching Max come back stressed and unwell, so he went for full custody.

Even with friends and family taking sides, Emma still insists OP is being selfish for denying her time with Max.

How would you handle this situation? Let us know in the comments.

Max deserved better than a custody schedule that left him anxious and underfed.

Before you judge, read how the “Who Gets Max?” split-custody fight played out.