Girlfriend deserves to be in the doghouse

Advertisement

Advertise with us

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I don’t like my boyfriend’s dog, so when I stay over, I secretly put the dog out in the backyard when he goes to work. This was working just fine until one of his neighbours asked him why the dog was out so many hours in the morning. Apparently, he whines and barks and begs for attention from the neighbour through the chain-link fence. I don’t hear it, because I’m in my guy’s front bedroom on the second floor with my earplugs in and sleeping mask on. I get off work late and I need my sleep in the morning!

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/11/2015 (3965 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I don’t like my boyfriend’s dog, so when I stay over, I secretly put the dog out in the backyard when he goes to work. This was working just fine until one of his neighbours asked him why the dog was out so many hours in the morning. Apparently, he whines and barks and begs for attention from the neighbour through the chain-link fence. I don’t hear it, because I’m in my guy’s front bedroom on the second floor with my earplugs in and sleeping mask on. I get off work late and I need my sleep in the morning!

My boyfriend was furious when he repeated to me what this man had told him. He said I’d have to sleep at my own apartment, because the dog couldn’t be left outside for hours in the winter. I told him my comfort as a human being should be more important than a stupid dog’s! He yelled at me to get all my stuff together and drove me home.

He must be sulking. He hasn’t phoned me for days and I don’t know if I should call him. His last words to me were, “How would you like me to throw you out in the backyard for eight hours?” The dog has fur to keep him warm, for God’s sake! Do you think he’ll get over this stupid fuss? — Not Appreciated, Downtown

Dear Not Appreciated: No, this boyfriend won’t be calling you back, nor will you be kicking his dog out ever again. While Fido may have fur, cold weather has arrived. With you in charge, the dog might get a bowl of ice water and food frozen into a hard chunk. As for the enjoyment of a loving companion, attention, patting, walks and loving words, that’s never happening — not with you. That dog will be alone, freezing, until you get up and decide to go. Clearly his owner is not going to take another chance on that. Congratulations to the neighbour who told him how you treat his dog when he’s not around.

 

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave. Winnipeg R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Puzzles Palace

1 minute read Monday, Jul. 27, 2026

To solve our puzzles, please subscribe with this special offer: |

Living the dream

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Living the dream

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Yesterday at 4:48 PM CDT

DETROIT – As Tyrel Bauer took a left turn out of the tunnel from the Winnipeg Jets dressing room and into the stands, he was met with a hearty round of applause from the 25 friends and family members who had made the trek from various points around North America.

Bauer had just realized a childhood dream and the significance of the moment was not lost on some of his biggest supporters.

“It was a special walk, for sure. A special walk,” Bauer said on Saturday afternoon before the Jets departed for a two-game road trip that begins on Sunday in Detroit against the Red Wings. “Those people who came – and many more that weren’t there and were cheering on from afar – they’ve always been there.

“I wanted that for my family, maybe even more than I wanted it for me. They’ve been through thick and thin. I’ve stressed mom out quite a bit over the years doing my job. That meant a lot for them and I’m really happy they could be there for it.”

Read
Yesterday at 4:48 PM CDT

A day on the campaign trail: Winnipeg's mayor, seeking a second term, does double duty

Malak Abas 12 minute read Preview

A day on the campaign trail: Winnipeg's mayor, seeking a second term, does double duty

Malak Abas 12 minute read Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

In the weeks leading up to the civic election, Scott Gillingham has been performing a juggling act: he’s running to be Winnipeg’s 45th mayor, while still serving as its 44th.

“If someone asks me about the campaign, I’m going to answer them. But I think for most people, I’m the mayor of Winnipeg, even if I’m showing up as a candidate,” Gillingham, 58, says. “I try to do all I can to maintain that distinction.”

The Free Press joined Gillingham on a recent rainy September Saturday on the campaign trail, where he served in both roles during an event-laden day. City council’s final meeting before the Oct. 28 election was days earlier.

In Winnipeg, it’s rare for an incumbent to be defeated. But Gillingham knows his win in 2022 wasn’t exactly a landslide — he won with 27.5 per cent of the vote — and he’s been thinking about his second term ever since.

Read
Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

Brandonmeat packer thriving on its own

Abiola Odutola 3 minute read Preview

Brandonmeat packer thriving on its own

Abiola Odutola 3 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

BRANDON — Canada Packers has strengthened its business and laid the foundation for future growth during its first year as an independent company, its president says.

The Brandon-based pork producer, separated from Maple Leaf Foods in October 2025, established its own leadership, strategy, systems, culture and identity while continuing operations across its hog production farms and regional hog barns in southern and eastern Manitoba.

The company’s first year was focused on building a successful standalone business while continuing to serve customers, communities and shareholders, president Dennis Organ said.

“Market conditions over the past year have been more challenging than we anticipated when we became a separate entity,” he said in an email. “Despite that, we continued to execute against our priorities, including increasing processing volumes, maintaining disciplined operations and strengthening the business.”

Read
Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

Girlfriend deserves to be in the doghouse

Miss Lonelyhearts 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I don’t like my boyfriend’s dog, so when I stay over, I secretly put the dog out in the backyard when he goes to work. This was working just fine until one of his neighbours asked him why the dog was out so many hours in the morning. Apparently, he whines and barks and begs for attention from the neighbour through the chain-link fence. I don’t hear it, because I’m in my guy’s front bedroom on the second floor with my earplugs in and sleeping mask on. I get off work late and I need my sleep in the morning!

My boyfriend was furious when he repeated to me what this man had told him. He said I’d have to sleep at my own apartment, because the dog couldn’t be left outside for hours in the winter. I told him my comfort as a human being should be more important than a stupid dog’s! He yelled at me to get all my stuff together and drove me home.

He must be sulking. He hasn’t phoned me for days and I don’t know if I should call him. His last words to me were, “How would you like me to throw you out in the backyard for eight hours?” The dog has fur to keep him warm, for God’s sake! Do you think he’ll get over this stupid fuss? — Not Appreciated, Downtown

Dear Not Appreciated: No, this boyfriend won’t be calling you back, nor will you be kicking his dog out ever again. While Fido may have fur, cold weather has arrived. With you in charge, the dog might get a bowl of ice water and food frozen into a hard chunk. As for the enjoyment of a loving companion, attention, patting, walks and loving words, that’s never happening — not with you. That dog will be alone, freezing, until you get up and decide to go. Clearly his owner is not going to take another chance on that. Congratulations to the neighbour who told him how you treat his dog when he’s not around.

Blown lead spoils Jets opener

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Blown lead spoils Jets opener

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

Younger. Faster. Stronger.

They may still be a long ways from a finished product, but it’s safe to say the new-look Winnipeg Jets made a mostly favourable first impression on Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Canada Life Centre.

Sure, a 4-3 overtime loss to a hard-nosed Boston Bruins outfit is going to sting a little, especially since the home team was just 98 seconds away from a regulation victory.

But if the Jets can bottle up this kind of energy and effort, they should enjoy plenty of success over the course of the 84-game campaign.

Read
Friday, Oct. 2, 2026