“I get your obsession with sad songs.”
I mean, hearing “Tadap tadap” the first 100 times was tolerable. But now am getting so down that I have even stopped dry-humping the teddy. You are depressing to me.
Can dogs sense broken hearts? Yes, they can. Just don’t drum it in like this. Dogs can get very depressed after a breakup and miss your partner as much you miss them.
What goes on in your pet’s head
No matter what disaster strikes or sweeps you off your feet, your four-legged friend is ever there to pick you up and get you back on your feet again. Surely something goes through their precious heads every time we are busy mourning the loss of our lover and perhaps not all of it is a concern. While we often wonder what our furry babies would tell us if they could actually talk, here are some guesses as to what they might actually be thinking during the time. Here’s how your breakup affects your pet:
What are your legal rights?
It goes without saying: not all breakups happen on good terms.
If youre going through a tough time with your ex, and cant agree over who gets the dog, there are a few legal avenues you can go down.
Samantha Bolton is a family lawyer who works with couples whore separating, and says shes getting more and more cases of young people seeking property law settlements for their dogs.
“I think people from what I see are probably moving in together a lot quicker these days, particularly, younger couples. And I think, along with that excitement of moving in, a lot of people are getting pets,” she said.
“People are always really surprised when they talk to me about pets and find out that theyre actually considered property and theres not a special category.”
She says its obviously very upsetting when people separate with pets involved, because animals are like family.
“It becomes really difficult for people because understandably, a lot of the time, they both want to keep their beloved animal. But theyre not actually getting along very well. Or communicating in a way that allows them to do that,” she said.
So if thats the shitty situation you find yourself in, and you cant come to an agreement yourselves, Samantha says you might have to go down the legal route, and the best place to start is mediation.
“You can do that through organisations such as United Care or Family Relationships Australia or some community-based ones. You can have private mediations, where you both engage a mediator where you have your lawyers go with you to try and help you to reach a resolution.”
Samantha says that if that doesnt work, you might have to go to court. However, she says you might want to consider it as a last resort because its expensive and can take months.
Who gets the dog after a breakup?
Well, since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell, down at the end of Lonely Street at the Pet Hotel.
Wait… what? Yeah, you heard us correctly. Forget the Heartbreak Hotel. The real trick to healing after the most brutal of breakups, or any other form of heartbreak, just might be a dog or cat. And don’t take our word for it (although you can read Shannon’s ultra-pathetic personal story here), the positive effects of pet ownership are all actually rooted in real science. So read on to discover why adopting a cat or (hound) dog might keep you from cryin’ all the time.
Anxiety takes a physical toll on your body, but some quality one-on-one time with your furry pal can reverse these changes. Your level of cortisol, a stress hormone, lowers. Interacting with an animal also boosts your serotonin levels. These chemical changes immediately help ease emotional distress.
Any therapist will tell you that exercise can help alleviate a foul mood. A dog or cat can drag you out of bed and force you to face the day. Even just standing up to feed your pet might give you enough momentum to take a shower, get dressed and do some errands. Dogs and cats give your day a little bit of structure which can greatly increase your productivity.
Even better: Staying active with your pet by playing with a toy or going on a walk, will improve serotonin and dopamine levels. These “feel-good chemicals” help heal a broken heart, as well as combat severe mood disorders like Depression and Bipolar Disorder.
One of the worst parts of a bad breakup, death in the family or other trauma is feeling like you’re all alone. A dog or cat isn’t just a fuzzy roommate. They help assure you that you’re worthy of love and affection. It’s easier to get up and go about your day if you have a pal right beside you.
Heartbreak has a tendency to isolate people. Sometimes you feel like no one understands what you’re going through. This loneliness manifests into people spending less time with their friends or family. Luckily dogs and cats have a secret power: They force folks to come out of their shell. Whether it’s a stranger sharing their cat photos, or a neighbor asking to pet your dog, this social interaction helps keep the blues at bay. At Found Animals we have a “Better Together” philosophy. Animals and humans give each other strength and light!
Obviously adopting a pet won’t completely fix your life, but they sure make it easier to face your challenges. This is why dogs and cats make such great service and emotional support animals.