No two people have the same relationship with dogs.
Most people bring a dog into their home for love and comfort, someone they can’t wait to come home to at the end of the day, or take for a walk first thing in the morning.
While others own dogs which they rely on for their own health and safety.
Then there are those who would never be in the presence of the dog, should they have the choice, owing to allergies, fear, or things slightly less explicable.
The niece of Redditor throwra445788779 was among those who did not enjoy the company of man’s best friend.
Complicating matters was that she and her family had temporarily moved in with the original poster (OP), who’s husband was among those who literally relied on the dog.
As a result, the OP’s brother made a request to the OP regarding their husband’s dog, which they were not at all willing to oblige.
Wondering if they had made the right decision, the OP took to the subReddit ‘Am I The A**hole” (AITA), where they asked fellow Redditors:
“AITA for refusing to move my husband’s service dog out of the house because my niece is uncomfortable?”
The OP explained how after opening their home to their brother and their family, they were unwilling to appease them when it came to their husband’s dog.
“My husband is disabled, won’t expand on that for privacy, we got him a service dog 4 months ago to help him on a daily basis.”
“My brother and his family lost their home and asked to move in with us for a few weeks til they find another place to stay.”
“Thing is, my niece, 14, started complaining about the service dog making her ‘uncomfortable’ it’s strange, no allergies, no nothing, but she’s just uncomfortable.”
“She told my brother and he asked if I could move the dog.”
“I said absolutely not. this dog is literally as helpful as a human being when it comes to people with disabilities, and he’s incredibly smart and more IMPORTANTLY, he minds his own business and never bothers my niece.”
“But she’s ‘just uncomfortable’ with him for some reason!”
“My brother and his wife started begging saying it’s temporary, but I refused.”
“They said that my husband doesn’t really need the dog much as of now since he’s home most of the time, yet I still refused.”
“They tried talking to my husband directly, but I shut that down immediately.”
“My brother’s wife started an argument with me right after my brother went to work and she started yelling about how I value a dog over my niece and her comfort.”
“I said it wasn’t just the dog, but it’s my husband who needs him.”
“My brother came home and we kept arguing.”
“He said that I was being unsupportive and cruel to my niece who’s already been through enough, My husband got involved and asked me to take him to his father’s house with the dog but I said no, not after what his dad said to him and that he AND the dog are staying.”
“My brother and his wife are in the guest room sulking hard while my niece is ignoring me.”
“Meanwhile, my husband is sitting in the kitchen now trying to convince me to let him go stay with his dad to keep the peace with my brother.”
“This man, my husband, is like this all the time!”
“Always willing to do what others want just to ‘keep the peace’.”
“You can literally cuss him out and he’ll apologize to you like it was his fault!”
“He thinks he owes people for accepting him as a disabled man which’s sad.”
“And, It’s true he’s home most of the time but, he still needs his service dog throughout the day.”
“AITA for refusing to move the dog temporarily?”
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
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
The Reddit community stood firmly behind the OP, agreeing she was in no way the a**hole for refusing to move their husband’s service dog.
Everyone agreed that the OP’s husband’s service dog was vitally important to his health, and their brother should have accepted that after the OP opened their home to his family, particularly as the OP’s niece was neither scared nor allergic to the dog.
“Your brother and his family are incredibly entitled after you gave them a place to live.”
“They don’t care about the dog or your husband.”
“Keep the dog and husband at your house, have your bro and his fam find somewhere else.”
“If you let them stay they will only make you and your husband’s lives difficult.”
“NTA.”- StonewallBrigade21
“NTA.”
“Firmly NTA.”
“Service dogs are not pets, they are working members of society with a damn important job to do.”
“Even if he was just a pet, I advocate the pet lives here, you’re just a guest so my verdict remains either way.”
“Your husband shouldn’t be made to feel unwelcome in his own home.”
“The dog stays because your husband stays.”
“Unfortunately, your family just needs to get over themselves.”- Divagate113
“NTA.”
“For your husband, it is a NEED.”
“For your niece, it is a WANT.”
“Need triumphs over want.”
“Your brother and his family are being ungrateful for your allowing them to live there while they find other accommodations.”
“Perhaps, they should now try harder so as to get out and make their daughter less ‘uncomfortable’.”- Ducky818
“NTA.”
“You’re a good partner, and don’t let your husband go stay with his father.”
“Tell your brother and SIL that if their family is uncomfortable by the dog, a medicinal necessity for your disabled husband, they should find other living accommodations.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers.”- ntg0703
“NTA.”
“Tell your brother he is confusing you with a hotel.”
“You are doing him and his family a kindness that you don’t have to do.”
“In light of your kindness, he should extend the same kindness to your husband, whose home they are staying in, and not insist your husband move out.”
“All this because a teenager feels uncomfortable?”
“Maybe she would be more comfortable staying with other family or friends?”
“You have done enough.”
“Guests do not kick the homeowners out of their own homes.”- Harriethair
“‘Can you please take his wheelchair away?'”
“‘It makes me uncomfortable’.”
“‘It’s not like he goes anywhere anyway.”
“‘Can you please take his hearing aids away?'”
“‘They make me uncomfortable’.”
“‘It’s not like he goes anywhere anyway’.”
“‘Can you please take his crutches / glasses / cane away’.”
“‘It makes me uncomfortable’.”
“It’s not like he’s going anywhere anyway’.”
“NTA.”
“How do people like this exist in the world with so little understanding of the functioning of their fellow human beings?”- Herbrugglesbezos
“Protect your husband and his precious pup.”
“NTA.”
“‘This isn’t working out and I don’t appreciate the pressure and turmoil you have put our family and home under, especially since we are helping you’.”
“‘I understand that niece is uncomfortable and you find the offered living arrangements unacceptable’.”
“‘I’ll expect you to be out within the week and any family members who call or criticize can be the first to offer their homes to you because this one is no longer available.”- EvilMater
“NTA.”
“Your brother and his family can make other living arrangements.”
“They are incredibly presumptive to think you’re going to move your dog, who is also a trained service animal.”
“What gave them the impression they have any authority?”
“Where do they get off?”
“Your niece needs to stay in her lane, by the way.”
“She needs to realize people do not have to put themselves out to appease her.”
“Your husband needs to defend himself and not be a doormat.”
“It’s HIS home!”
“The fact your brother was going to have your husband intervene goes to show your brother has no respect for your husband and knows your husband will cave to his request.”
“That being said, your husband absolutely should NOT move to appease ungracious houseguests, who have already overstayed their welcome.”
“Tell your brother and his family they have until the end of the week to find another living arrangement.”- SilentCounter6750
“NTA.”
“This isn’t some hyper or aggressive puppy.”
‘This is a SERVICE ANIMAL.”
“The teen needs to understand that being uncomfortable does not mean everyone bends to your feelings.’
“I’m sure sleeping on the street or a hotel would be much more uncomfortable.”- HF_BPD
“NTA.”
“This is a service dog.”
“The dog is trained and doesn’t bother the niece.”
“She has no allergies, so the dog doesn’t have to be removed.”
“If your brother and SIL are upset by the SERVICE dog, they can live somewhere else.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers.”- luvduvbunny
It is a shame that the OP’s husband’s dog makes their niece uncomfortable.
However, she needs to understand that he relies on that dog for his own health, safety, and, yes, comfort.
If a necessary service animal is too much for the OP’s brother and his family to handle, then they’d best start looking for a new home as soon as possible.