Dear Dog Lady,
My girlfriend was in a relationship with a guy for eight years. They bought a dog together. They shared the price, responsibilities and veterinarian bills they incurred caring for Bruno, a Labrador-mix. After they split up, the ex refuses to allow her even a shared visit with the dog. Bruno is getting old and she would like to share the responsibility. She'd even like to take the dog for the last couple of years of its life. Her ex definitely won't give her any or even shared responsibility. Does she have any legal rights? Is there any way she could bring the guy to court to get some guaranteed visiting rights (or custody?) of Bruno?
Butch
Dear Butch,
Dogs can own our hearts and souls; yet, they are considered "property" in the eyes of the law. This means your girlfriend has legal rights only if she can produce the receipts for Bruno and his care when she shared the dog with her ex-boyfriend. The documentation of expenses would provide proof of her stake and ownership in the pet if she brings any sort of legal case. Dog Lady watches enough "Judge Judy" to know dog cases usually wind up in small claims court and property disputes always are settled with valid receipts and proofs of ownership.
If she can't find documentation, you might want better advice. There's a firm called Boston Dog Lawyers in Beverly, Massachusetts. The lawyers deal with dog-related cases and it might be worth your time to ask them about seeking custody of Bruno. The website is www.bostondoglawyers.com. You can fill out a form on the homepage of the site specifying the reason for your contact.
Dear Dog Lady,
We just bought a second floor condo. Our neighbors on the garden level keep their dog outside all the time and he barks incessantly throughout the day and night. Any suggestions on how to approach our neighbors on this, if at all? This dog has obviously gone without training.
Megan
Dear Megan,
Oh, situations like this break Dog Lady's heart. Of course, her sympathy is usually with the poor dog because a dog that barks day and night is a super-stressed animal - either bored, hungry, or sick - and miserable.
You've just moved in and probably reluctant to confront your new neighbors. However, you have every right to make your concern clear to them. Be polite and simply tell them the dog barks all the time and you're concerned. Tell them the noise bothers you and ask them ever so politely if they are going to address the issue. See where this conversation leads. Let's hope deep down they are good neighbors and responsible dog owners and will assure you they want to do the right thing for you and their pet.
Dear Dog Lady,
I have three Chihuahuas. And my two females hate each other. They fight all the time growling and biting each other. If I pick up Lola and my husband picks up Ava and we stand anywhere close to each other they try to fight in our arms. Is there anything we can do so they stop fighting? Ava is four and Lola is two. Please help!
Adrienne
Dear Adrienne,
When there is more than one dog at home you must ensure all dogs are on a level playing field. Each should be spayed and neutered. Each should have a safe place - with a bed or crate and a food bowl. Every dog, even the smallest, needs its own place in the world.
Dog Lady can't stop your two dogs from fighting. Only you can do that by not trying anything dumb such as picking them up and allowing them to fight like gladiators in your arms. The dogs will work out their issues if they are allowed to spar safely - on ground level. Lola is more a puppy than Ava so they squabble about status and leadership. Please don't think of their emotions in human terms of "hate." Nipping is normal. Growling is normal too. Out and out bloody combat is not normal. If you see your dogs heading down that violent road, seek out your veterinarian and a trained behaviorist.
Write: askdoglady@gmail.com