A Dog Breeder's Daughter Wants To Keep A Puppy Because She Has A Bond With It And Believes It Could Help Improve Her Mental Health

"There are other puppies who will love you. You sound like a lovely person with a lot of love to give to any animal."

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• November 7, 2022

Studies have analyzed the benefits of people forming attachments to their pets and how it affects their mental health. Including getting motivated and feeling unconditional love because of them. 

Emotional bonds with animals don’t come easily for some people, and sometimes even if they do happen, there isn’t a way for them to keep those animals as pets. This is the possible scenario a Redditor will be facing if her mom wouldn’t be convinced to not sell the dog she bonded with. 

OP’s mom is a licensed and registered dog breeder and one of her dogs had a litter of lovely mixed-breed pups. One of the pups accidentally bonded with OP and vice versa, she calls the dog “Red” for her collar color.

The family of OP’s mom already owns a lot of dogs, 8 to be exact and she’s not looking for another one to keep. OP understands, especially with the space and resources needed to take care of dogs but she’s struggling to let go of Red.

OP found out that someone was interested in buying Red but as someone who was struggling with mental health problems, OP appealed that keeping Red would be beneficial for her. Especially if she’s not the kind to form attachments easily. 

Despite OP trying to pull her weight at home and promising to pay for Red and train her, OP’s mom is still hesitant. She’s still worried that OP wouldn’t be able to push through in the end.

This is OP's explanation

OP provided context about her and her living situation

One of the dogs started seeking out for OP and getting attached to her

OP's mom didn't want another dog to keep on top of all the 8 dogs she already has

OP assured her that she would be able to take care of the dog but her mom was still doubtful

The main thought of people in the comments is that, although they think OP isn’t the AH, they don’t think her mom is an AH as well

The mom’s concerns are valid and if OP really wants to keep the dog, maybe there’s something she can do to make keeping it a little easier

One of the suggestions was to move out and get a place of her own but according to OP, she doesn’t see that possible in the near future

Since OP shared her problems, this Redditor suggested that maybe OP could get a dog that’s less energetic so she wouldn’t have a tough time

According to OP, she has a lot of experience with dogs already as she joined in with her mom training dogs when she was a kid

OP had a cat previously during the short stint that she lived by herself

OP feels very much capable to take care of a pet even if she struggles with her mental health

While OP couldn’t work out how to keep the dog, maybe her mom can help get the dog be registered as an ESA

OP hasn’t thought about that yet and is thankful for the suggestions, if they succeeded, they could benefit more with the future pups that they care for

Regardless if OP could keep the dog or not, these are words of assurance from this Redditor that she might appreciate

People acknowledge the concerns of both sides and think that they both have valid concerns. OP provided answers and information about her that would be helpful for the Redditors that wish to give her advice.

In the end, no one was voted TA. Instead, they suggested that OP and her mom should communicate about their next move. 

Chelsi