Princess Diana once remarked, “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.” I can certainly relate, albeit under different circumstances.
Instead of a former lover vying for attention, I find myself in competition with a much more innocent contender: our dog. With his soulful brown eyes and an aroma that can only be described as overwhelming, he has somehow captured my partner’s affections. And it appears that the sentiment is mutual; our dog seems to be the focal point of my partner’s world.
When my partner arrives home from work, his first stop is always the dog. After ensuring the dog’s needs are met—often more thoroughly than mine—he might casually ask how my day was. There’s rarely any urgency to offer me a drink or engage in conversation. To be fair, I’d probably be more inclined to bite than to lick his face if he tried to ruffle my hair, but a refreshing gin & tonic wouldn’t hurt.
So, what are my options? Should I rise above the situation, or perhaps transform myself into a shedding, slobbering canine counterpart? Maybe I should join forces with my four-legged rival for the affection of the family.
Oh yes, I said family. It’s not just my partner who seems to adore the dog; everyone in our household appears to hold him in high regard, regardless of any “oopsies” during the night (guess who has to clean those up) or his penchant for stealing socks (the primary cause of our morning cleaning marathons).
Moreover, no expense is spared for the dog. While my partner and I may go out on a date every few years, he and the dog enjoy lengthy walks together at least twice a day. Our children survive on the bare essentials, while the dog is treated to a gourmet raw-meat diet. He even gets regular spa sessions, while my idea of self-care is scrubbing the bathtub. (Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit. Our kids wouldn’t even recognize a can of Spam, and the dog has never visited an actual spa; he prefers to roll in the mud.)
I’ve thought about having a heart-to-heart discussion on the topic of “Who do you love more?” but that seems a bit desperate and ludicrous. After all, he chose to marry me, not the dog. Yet, considering their 14-year bond compared to our 10 years together, it’s easy to see why their connection is so strong—even if I contribute more to our household than merely cleaning up after the dog’s antics.
It’s not that I dislike the dog. In fact, he’s quite endearing. He doesn’t chew on furniture and has a pleasant disposition. However, his neurotic attachment to my partner is undeniable—so much so that it could inspire a ballad from Hall & Oates. But when the day arrives that I no longer have to pick black dog hairs off my cream carpets, I fear the only solace I’ll find will be in selecting a new, energetic canine companion. Next time, I’ll choose the home-wrecker.
For more insights related to family dynamics and canine companionship, check out our other posts, like the one on using a home insemination kit. If interested in a deeper dive into this topic, visit Intracervical Insemination for authoritative information. An excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination is Kindbody.
In summary, while my partner’s affection for our dog might feel overwhelming at times, it’s a dynamic I’ll have to navigate as best as I can. Ultimately, the love we share as a family—including our furry friend—adds a unique layer to our lives together.