So my sister (28F) has always been dramatic. Last year she got a golden retriever puppy because her ex said “dogs make people more grounded” LMAO. Spoiler: They literally broke up two weeks later. Fast forward to six months ago. She calls me out SOBBING because she’s “too emotionally fragile” to take care of him and needs “a short mental health break” She says it’ll be maybe two weeks, And asks if I can watch him. I (18F) work two jobs and live in a small apartment, But I LOVE animals, So I said yes. Two weeks turned into a month. Then two. She stopped checking in. She stopped sending money for food. She literally blocked me on Instagram but was still posting her going out, Vacations, And a new man every other week. Meanwhile, Her pup is attached to me like Velcro. He sleeps curled up next to me, Follows me everywhere, And even gets excited when I come home from work! My cats adore him. He fits into our lives perfectly. Then today, I get unblocked like nothing happened…
“Heyyy can you bring my dog back this weekend? I’m finally in a good place mentally😊” I’m sure you are lol. I told her I’m happy she’s doing better, But she hasn’t cared for this dog in half a year. I’ve spent hundreds on vet visits, Training, Food, And toys. He sees me as his person now. I said if she wants a dog again, She should maybe adopt one she’s ready for but ripping him away from a stable home after abandoning him is cruel. She FLIPPED OUT LMAOOO! Sent paragraphs about how I “stole her emotional support animal” how she’s going to “call the police” and how I’m “ruining her healing journey” My mom is taking her side saying “family should help family” but my grandma said she’s proud of me for giving the dog the stability my sister never did. My sister is now telling everyone I kidnapped her dog and emotionally abused her by “punishing” her recovery. I told her if she wants him back, She can pay me back the $3000 I’ve spent on him AND sign a contract saying she’ll take full responsibility from now on. She told me to go to burn in hell. So… AITA for refusing to give her back the dog she abandoned?
> Two weeks turned into a month. Then two. She stopped checking in. She stopped sending money for food. She literally blocked me on Instagram but was still posting her going out, Vacations, And a new man every other week.
NTA. She literally gave you her dog. This is now your dog. 🙂
Hopefully you’ve had him registered in your name and updated the vet records. That will make your ownership “stick” legally.
> She FLIPPED OUT LMAOOO!
Evidence that she, in fact, is NOT in a “good place mentally”.
>My mom is taking her side saying “family should help family”
You did. And you still are because you know in about a month (or less) she’ll abandon this dog again.
The “emotional support animal” that she didn’t need when she wasn’t in a good place mentally.
Tells you all you need to know really. NTA
NTA.
She ditched her dog for six months, paid nothing, checked in zero times, and only came back when it suited her. You did all the actual care. The dog is bonded to you now.
She abandoned him. You didn’t steal him.
You’re not wrong for refusing to hand him back.
NTA that dog deserves better than your sister. Good on your grandma for saying it, and sucks that your mom is enabling your sister’s pathetic behavior.
NTA, you would be the asshole if you gave it back to her. No creature deserves to be under the care of someone so unstable
NTA
Funny how it took her 6 months without an emotional support animal to get to a mental space where an animal can now support her emotionally.
DO NOT give your dog back to your AH of a sister. It’s yours now.
If the dog is chipped, get it changed to show that you are its owner. Make sure she nor your mom has a key to your place. If they do, get your locks rekeyed.
>She stopped checking in. She stopped sending money for food. She literally blocked me on Instagram
She abandoned the dog, and ghosted you.
The pup has a good home where it’s loved. Your sister needs therapy, not another pet she’ll own for 5 minutes.
NTA
NTA
Animals are NOT accessories. They have feelings and emotions and form bonds like any other animal. If she truly cared and loved the dog she would see that you’re the better carer and you’ve been doing right by the dog. Just block her on everything. Your mom should stay out of it if she isn’t the one doing the rearing. Good luck and keep loving that baby!
Absolutely NTA.
The dog deserves a better home than your sister can provide.
NTA. She abandoned the dog. Even if it went to small claims court, I suspect you’d come out on top because of the abandonment and because you’ve spent so much money on his care. If she’d been paying for everything, had been in regular contact, and you were doing care only, it might be different, but under the circumstance I don’t think she has a leg to stand on.
NTA. I did the same to my mom with her cat. Took it to the vet, got the tumor taken care of, fed and loved the cat. When mom asked for the cat back, I said yes, when you pay me back. “I don’t have 1500!” “Then you don’t have a cat.”
The pup hasn’t emotionally supported your sister for 6 months. He’s not about to start now.
Did you get it chipped? Get it chipped with your info.
NTA but make sure you have documentation of all this. Idk what state you live in but she could try to sue you over it. Honestly I doubt she will and she’ll forget that she even wanted the dog back a week from now but just in case. They’ll probably instantly side with you but yeah.
She would need to reimburse everything you paid for the dog, plus a boarding fee for six months of care. Where I am, it starts at $40 per day. NTA