Divorce

[TAVS]

My girlfriend and I are separating. We got Mason together exactly 1 year ago. He's roughly two years old.

What's the best way to help him adjust? Should we take turns taking care of him? I assume not. What about visitation? Mason is never happy unless we're both around. When we're not both there, he feels his pack is separated and he wont eat his bone, dinner, nothing until we're both home. That's just one example. He wont starve but he won't be happy.

I think he will stay with me, as I have the house with the yard, but I want to know how I can help him get use to her not coming home every night.

Tonight, night number 1, he is with her. She's called and told me he is very restless. She has him as a security blanket in her new place.

 

[Barb04]

My stepson broke up with his girlfriend after living together for 3 years and getting the puppy when they first moved in together. He kept the dog. The dog missed her for awhile, but my stepson made sure to give the dog extra special attention and play with him more. The dog has adjusted and is happy.

 

[ACooper]

Just like kids, he will adjust to whatever you guys work out.........it won't take him long to understand the routine.

 

[milos_mommy]

wow, it's great you guys are working together to figure out what's best for him.

just stick with whatever routine you think will be best for you guys and Mason. he'll get used to it. at first he might seem uncomfortable or upset, but if you keep changing it, he won't know what to expect, so stick with it for a couple of weeks, and he should get used to it. make sure to give him extra attention, whichever one of you he's with, and he'll get used to the new routine soon.

 

[Dreeza]

good for you guys for working it out!! Sorry about the split though

I am sure Mason will adjust to whatever you guys work out. I agree with Milo's mommy...set up a nice new routine for him.

I just wanted to add that Mason is ADORABLE!!

good luck!

 

[Dizzy]

I left my BF when Bodhi was about 9 months old or so... She missed him a bit, would look for people who looked similar to him, and get excited by people who looked similar to him etc, but she got over it... They're not like kids in that respect.

Mason will probably be excited to see her, but once he is adjusted, he'll be fine and dandy realising she is going away again.

 

[Dreeza]

Actually yeah, i'd like to add to what Dizzy has to say...

Granted, I never LIVED with Oakley (my dog) cept for the first week, he loves me, and always is attached to my hip when I come home to visit (I am up at school). He acts sad when I start packing up my bags, cause he knows this means I am leaving again, but as far as I know, once I leave, he is totally fine, and adjusts right back to his old routine....

So if 'visitations' work out btwn you two, I see nothing wrong with that...I would just try and get into somewhat of a routine first.

 

[TAVS]

Thanks for the posts everyone.

 

[TAVS]

It's so hard to watch Mason being so depressed. But I'm sure he thinks the same thing about me. He wont eat unless we bribe him with his favorite people foods and the rest of the time he lays motionless in his bed. We go out for a good number of walks, actually he ends up getting too tired and I have to start walking on my own. I'm sure his energy level is way down due to lack of food. The one bright side is that when we do go out, he's more interested in smelling everything than worrying about our troubles.

 

[Lizmo]

Looks like Madison is a Border Collie right? From your siggie.

Have you tried getting into sheep herding to take his mind off missing your ex? Or even agility. I am sure he will love both of those.

Anyways, just give him extra, extra attetion.