There are few connections more touching than that of a pet owner to their pet.
Be they dogs, cats, snakes or gerbils, some people’s pets bring more happiness to them than any person they know.
Indeed, many people often sneer at those who share such a tight bond with their pets, that they may never want to leave their side.
Possibly stemming from jealousy.
Redditor Fit_Persimmon1467 had a dog with whom they shared a strong and devoted connection.
When a friend of the original poster (OP) paid a visit, this same friend’s daughter also swiftly developed a strong bond with the OP’s dog.
So strong, in fact, that the OP’s friend was compelled to make a suggestion.
A suggestion the OP flatly declined.
Wondering if they were in the wrong for doing so, the OP took to the subReddit “Am I The A**hole” (AITA), where she asked fellow Redditors:
“AITA for not giving my dog to my friend’s kid who loves him?”
The OP explained why they were not willing to consider. their friend’s proposal:
“I have a small dog named Max.”
“He is very sweet and calm.”
“I’ve had him for five years.”
“My friend came to visit with her 7-year-old daughter.”
“The daughter loved Max right away.”
“They played all day.”
“She even cried when they had to leave.”
“A few days later, my friend called me.”
“She said her daughter has never connected with a pet like that.”
“She asked if I would let them have Max.”
“I was surprised.”
“I said no.”
“I told her I love Max and he is a part of my family.”
“She said she understood, but sounded sad.”
“She said her daughter was heartbroken.”
“Now I feel bad.”
“I know they would give Max a good home.”
“But I love him and don’t want to give him away.”
“Some people say I should have done it for the child.”
“Others say it’s okay to keep my dog.”
“AITA?”
Fellow Redditors weighed in on where they believed the OP fell in this particular situation, by declaring:
- NTA: Not the A**hole
- YTA: You’re the A**hole
- ESH: Everybody Sucks Here
- NAH: No A**holes Here
The Reddit community overwhelmingly agreed that the OP was not the a**hole for refusing to give their dog to their friend:
Everyone agreed that no matter how much their friend’s daughter loved Max, it couldn’t be more than the OP loved him, and that didn’t give them the right to simply ask the OP to give them Max:
“NTA even in the slightest.”
“I cannot believe your friend even asked you this.”
“Pets, for many people, are members of the family and the fact that she would even ask you to give up your dog to her child is bizarre if you were providing him a loving home.”
“Also, giving someone a dog because their 7-year-old connected with it is a bad idea anyway.”
“Kids go through so many phases and get busier with every stage of development.”
“She very well may love the dog now, but if at 10 she’s in gymnastics and soccer and dance or whatever, who likely suffers as a result?”
“Max.”
“Keep your dog, give him love, and don’t think twice about this.”- Aggravating-Bench350
“NTA.”
“WTF?! “
“Your dog is not a toy.”
“Your dog is a living being with feelings who has bonded to you as his family/pack.”
“You generally don’t just give away family because someone else likes them and wants them.”
“This child needs to learn two important lessons here: other people’s belongings aren’t up for grabs, and loving something doesn’t make you entitled to it.”
“The mother should have explained that to her rather than asking for your dog.”
“The dog is a feeling living being, and his bonds and emotional needs should be considered.”
“You don’t treat animals like things; they shouldn’t be rehomed based on a child’s whim, only if it’s really necessary for the good of everyone involved.”
“You aren’t entitled to other people’s things, no matter how much you love them (including toys).”
“Asking for other people’s things is bad manners and should be discouraged by the parents, not supported.”- KaliTheBlaze
“WTF?”
“There are so many dogs in shelters that need good homes, the nerve of this person asking you to give up your very loved and cared for pooch is insane.”
“Anyone saying you ‘should have done it for the child’ is equally insane.”
“It’s a living being not a stuffed animal.”
“SMDH.”
“NTA.”- Libba_Loo
“NTA.”
“The ONLY way the daughter is heartbroken is if the parent told them they were going to ask for the dog.”
“There’s an easy way to prevent them: don’t tell the kid you’re going to ask for the dog.”
“So either they’re manipulative, or could be smarter parents.”
“I’ve had dogs. I got them from the shelter and they stayed until they died, age 14.”
“They could pry my dog(s) from my cold dead hands.”
“No one, no matter what sob story, would take away my girl/boys from me.”- Lead-Forsaken
“NTA.”
“That’s insane.”
“She can get her daughter her own dog.”- lihzee
“NTA.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“At least the kid didn’t really like your house, otherwise you’d be asked if you could move out.”-diminishingpatience
“NTA.”
“What an entitled parent?”
“Someone has to learn to tell their child ‘no’.”
“The audacity to ask someone else to give up a pet because their child wants it is truly insane.”
“The kid needs therapy gift cards, I think.”- H_Lunulata
“NTA.”
“Kids love animals, that’s just a fact.”
“But asking you to turn over your pet just because their kid formed an attachment?”
“Entitled much.”- AnonAnontheAnony
“NTA.”
“Would you ever call someone to give you their kid because you had a fun day with them?”
“To a lot of people, pets are family.”
“And your friend treated it like a toy for her kid instead of a living being with feelings who most likely would be very stressed by getting separated from you, their trusted environment, and routine.”
“So the question itself is already ridiculous, but I also doubt she would be a good home if she treats pets that way.”- Dafi30537
“’I’ve never seen my pet bond as well as she did with your child.'”
“‘Can I have your child, please?’”
“NTA.”- Man-o-Bronze
“OP I REALLY like your house.”
“I’ve never connected with a house as much like this.”
“Would you let me have your house?”
“Perhaps you could throw in Max.”
“Maybe I’ll feel the same.”
“Ask your ‘people’.”
“Some will say you should do it.”
“Those people should never be spoken to again.”
“NTA of course.”- blueflash775
“NTA, obviously.”
“Ask your friend to give you her kid.”- StandardRedditUser11
“NTA.”
“Just ask your friend that since the dog loves the kid so much, they should give you the kid.”
“Problem solved!”
“You’re welcome.”- jenkumjunkie
“NTA.”
“Why would someone even ask that?”
“It’s like asking someone to give them their child.”- saxman522
“NTA.”
“Offer to take her daughter to make the kid happy.”- FoxyLady52
“WTF kind of question is that?”
“It’s insane to even ask.”
“Definitely NTA.”
“Take the kid to a shelter and find your own pet.”
“SMH.”- Orion_23
“‘Your 5-year-old daughter is the most well-behaved child I’ve ever met, and I really love playing with her! Can I have her?'”
“NTA.”
“But your friend is.”- jentasticC
“NTA.”
“Lol.”
“Ask if you can have her daughter.”
“Show her how ridiculous her ask is.”- Eastern_Condition863
“Not the a**hole.”
“I can’t believe someone would ask that.”
“That’s so rude.”- VerbenaVervain
“Of course you’re NTA for refusing to give the kid your dog, but something ain’t right if you really think you may be.”- CultSurvivor3
“Tell your friend that if her daughter loves Max so much, she should just give her daughter to you.”
“NTA.”- PerturbedHamster
“NTA.”
“LOL, no.”
“Expecting someone to give you their beloved dog is flat-out delusional.”
“I sincerely hope this is made-up drama.”- Pascale73
“NTA.”
“Tell the friend how much Max loved her daughter.”
“Ask her if you can have her kid to make Max happy.”- justloriinky
“NTA.”
“WTF. “
“Some of these stories sound so bizarre/made up.”
“I think the sense of entitlement has exploded in society. “
“The audacity is astounding.”- DragonBall4Ever00
“NTA.”
“Call her back and tell her that Max really likes her daughter, so could she give her daughter to Max.”- waterstone55
“NTA.”
“I would be so angry if someone pulled this crap on me, they’d never be allowed in my home again or near my dog”
“And if that ended the friendship, GOOD!”- spaceylaceygirl
There is simply no hiding or avoiding your feelings when you fall in love, be it with another human being or a dog.
However, even if it was love at first sight between Max and the daughter of the OP’s friend, that still doesn’t mean she is entitled to take him and keep him for herself.
One would think that this friend would have at least offered to purchase Max and not simply expected him to be given over.