Grieving Pet Lover Not Happy With Boyfriend
Dear Abby | January 9th, 2026 | Letter 2 of 2
DEAR ABBY: I've been with my boyfriend for 12 years. We have two children and a third on the way. Three years ago, we got our family a dog, Astro, the love of our lives. She passed away three months ago from heat exhaustion. She was only 2 years old. I was driving while my boyfriend held her as we drove to the vet. She died before we got there. I am now in grief therapy. I expressed my grief to my boyfriend, and he has expressed his to me. I'm adamant about not wanting another dog. He told me he wanted another one, but that I had nothing to worry about for a while -- more than likely, a year. I was OK with it because I felt it would give me time to grieve. Well, this past weekend, my boyfriend came home with a new dog. He didn't warn me. The new dog looks exactly like Astro, the same breed and color. I am heartbroken. I feel like my trust has been betrayed. I've been a wreck ever since, and I don't think I can compromise. This is a no-win situation because one of us will end up unhappy. I'm thinking about ending our relationship over this. Am I being unreasonable or selfish? -- OVERWHELMED IN KANSAS.
DEAR OVERWHELMED: You are neither unreasonable nor selfish. What your boyfriend did was inconsiderate and underhanded and showed disregard for your feelings. At the very least, you deserve an apology. That dog should be returned to the breeder or rescue from which it came. However, while I don't blame you for having second thoughts about the relationship after this man's display of insensitivity, after 12 years (and three kids), ending the relationship may be impractical.
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