You can love a dog more than a person

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This article was published 07/05/2016 (3483 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m 28 and crazy in love with my big puppy, who is not even one-year old. I take him everywhere. It was great when it was just the two of us and I was alone in my house and a bit lonely, but recently I got a beautiful and sexy new girlfriend. At first she made a big fuss over my dog. Now she objects to his shedding hair (it’s spring, for God’s sake), his “constant” need to go out to relieve himself in the backyard and his enthusiasm for walks (to the point of bringing his leash to me in his mouth). She doesn’t like him coming in the car or the truck with us, or sleeping in the bedroom.

Where does she want him? She told me where he belonged today — outside, tied up in the yard. And, I’m guessing this, in a place where she can’t see him crying. She’s jealous! Things came to a head last night when we went into the bedroom and shut the door to make love. He stood outside whining. She called the whole thing to a halt, put on her clothes and went home.

I know it may seem silly to love a dog more than a woman, but I haven’t called her yet. I found out from a mutual friend that she expects I’ll be sorry and get rid of the dog. What do you think?

— Mixed Up, St. Vital

Dear Mixed Up: Let her go! People who love animals need to match up with other people who like them, too. Your future girlfriend needs to enjoy animals in the house. Be warned though: some women like animals a little bit, but only until they have a baby and then they want the animals gone. So ask about that if you are ever considering settling down with someone.

Your dog is like your baby to you. You need a woman who always wants to have a dog in the house, and that’s before, during and after babies are born. She should be the type who is happy to have a dog around all the time. She may shoo him out for the lovemaking, but be happy to let him back in after. That’s the only kind of woman for you. And those women can be beautiful on the inside as well as sexy and beautiful on the outside.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m 17. I got into a fight with my boyfriend because he’s rude. I always fight with him, but this time I slapped his face, and he did something strange — he ratted me out to my mother, who I think likes him way too much. He phoned her to explain why he was breaking it off with me, and how it all happened.

I stayed at a girlfriend’s after the fight, then I got a phone call and my mother was ragging on me about the “violence” I inflicted on my boyfriend. What is her problem? Maybe she wants a young stud!

— Not Talking to Her, Downtown

Dear Not Talking to Her: Your ex-boyfriend may fight with a girl verbally, but he draws the line at violence — and he should. Everybody should. Face slapping is violence. He may have felt like hitting you back, but he didn’t. That’s the kind of restraint you need to learn.

It’s doubtful he ratted you out because he wanted to get cosy with your mother, but he liked her enough to want to explain his side of the story before you got home and you omitted the reasons that led up to the slapping. You didn’t tell them to me, other than saying he’s rude. You are also rude in the way you talk about your mom. It’s time to see the guidance counsellor at your school to talk about this fight, the violence, your ex and your mother.

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

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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