I know this sounds awful, but I do not like our dog.
I do not hurt him. I feed him, walk him, take him to the vet, buy the expensive food because his stomach is apparently made of Victorian lace.
But he barks at everything, steals food, pees when excited and has eaten three remote controls.
Everybody begged for this dog. Everybody promised to help. Guess who is outside at 6 a.m. in pajamas while the dog investigates one blade of grass for fifteen minutes.
The kids adore him. My husband calls him his buddy. I call him nothing because what comes to mind is not nice.
Am I a monster, or can you be responsible for a pet and still not actually enjoy them?
People begged for the pet, then vanished when the cage needed cleaning. Classic.
The rabbit did not sign up to teach your kid responsibility.
That pet is living better than half the adults I know.
I like animals more than people and I still understand not bonding with one.
Rehoming to a better home can be responsible. Keeping an animal out of guilt is not automatically kinder.
The dog understands because rules are fake and snacks are real.
You are not evil for admitting the dog is exhausting.