A granddaughter was born, and my daughter-in-law doesn’t want my dog! What am I supposed to do? I’m unsure of the right course of action…
I decided to write this here, as I’m hoping many will understand. Maybe someone will even give me advice—am I right, or am I mistaken?
I have two sons, James and Alex. Both have been living in Spain for quite some time but in different cities. James already has a family, complete with a young daughter, while Alex is yet to find his one and only.
When my boys were very young, our family fell apart; their mother and I divorced. It was a tough time. The house felt empty, the kids missed their family, and as I juggled work and looking after them, I felt incredibly lonely.
To fill the void and keep the home secure, I got a dog, a beautiful, smart, and loyal German Shepherd named Tara. We lived in a house with a garden and yard, so there was plenty of space for her.
Tara wasn’t just a pet; she became part of the family. I frequently traveled for work, and when I was away, she was the real keeper of the home, guarding it and caring for the children. The boys adored her. Sometimes I wondered if I could have raised them without her help.
Years passed. The boys grew up, and Tara grew old. When she passed away, I felt the loss as if I’d lost a dear friend. I promised myself I’d never get another dog—it was just too painful to say goodbye.
But then my sons grew up and moved away, leaving me alone in a big, empty house. The solitude was overwhelming. One day, I realized I needed a companion again.
That’s when I found Red. A small, clever, affectionate dog—a true friend. I joked that there was a man back in the house, albeit a four-legged one.
Knowing I’d often have to visit my sons in Spain, I chose a dog I could travel with. We’ve flown abroad together five times! I always follow the rules—book tickets in advance, pay for his baggage, put him on a light diet before flights to not exceed the 8 kg limit, give him travel sickness tablets… Sometimes I think traveling with a dog is harder than with a child!
Yet, he’s like a child to me. The one who greets me at home, is happy when I return, and warms me with his presence.
Then something happened that I didn’t expect.
James’s daughter was born—my first granddaughter! I was thrilled and dreamed of spending time with the family, helping out, walking with the baby, being near. But then I learned that my daughter-in-law was completely against Red staying.
Initially, she said she was worried about the baby having allergies. Later, it was that the dog would bring dirt into the house. And eventually, she got a cat, as though to nullify any argument I had.
I couldn’t believe my ears. My heart broke.
Both James and Alex began persuading me to leave Red in a kennel temporarily. They even offered to pay for it, just so I would come and stay with them longer.
“Dad, give up the dog! He’s just a dog, but we’re your children, your granddaughter! Can you really compare the two?” Alex tried to persuade me.
But I couldn’t.
How could I explain to them that Red isn’t just a dog? He’s my solace in loneliness. My friend. He sleeps at my feet, listens when I’m struggling. He senses when I’m down and simply lies beside me, silently warming me with his presence.
I couldn’t just leave him at some hotel among strangers.
“Anyone who wants to see me must accept my dog too!” I replied firmly.
My sons just exchanged glances. They didn’t get it. To them, a dog is just a dog. But to me, he’s life itself.
I don’t know what will happen next. They continue to insist, and I continue to refuse.
But one thing I know for sure: as long as Red is alive, I won’t betray him. He was there in moments when no one else could stand by me.
I won’t leave him, even if it means I will see my granddaughter far less than I dreamed.
