This is My Puppy King Louie...Could You Leave Him Behind? What Do I Do?
By dfinster
@dfinster (3528)
United States
June 2, 2009 9:42pm CST
As some of you know I am near the end of a very nasty and difficult divorce. My soon to be ex wants to keep everything and leave me with nothing or as little a he can possibly get away with. During this divorce I only asked for 2 things which I think weere more than fair. He plans to keep the house valued over $250,000, not pay me half for the things we accumualted during our marriage and basically kick me out so he can move in which I recently found out, his new girlfriend. (He swore he never cheated), but surprise, surprise, that was a lie.
All I wanted was a halfway decent amount of monthly alimony because I am a full time student who gets straight A's in the paralegal degree program I am in. I would still get a job but would neeed alimony to help pay some of my living expenses which come to less than half of what he pays for 1 house payment. He not only has an extrememly well paying 9-5 job at Kohler Co., but then has his own construction business where he charges $30/hr cash and brings in at least $300 a day when he works that too and he does it at least 3 or 4 times a week sometimes more when he takes vacation from his other job.
The big problem is I can't find a job that pays real well with the way the economy is right now, I would have to move 45 minutes from my family and friends to a town where I know not one person and I can't find a place except for ones that are a little out of my price range so I can keep my dog. My dog is the second and only other thing I wanted out of this divorce. Now I don't know what to do. My dog is like my child and I would be so lonely without him, not to mention I love him like a child.
Would any of you give up a pet that you were that attached to and loved that much. What would you do to be able to keep your pet with you. What do you think I should do. My ex has money to pay me a $100 or so more a month easily, would you ask your lawyer to ask the courts? He lives in a quarter of a million dollar house and I'll be moving to a tiny apartment, is wanting to keep my dog to much to ask and what can I do to keep him.
I need any suggestions that anyone has, because I just can't give him up my husband doesn't want him and would send him to the Humane Society where he would go to someone I didn't even know or put him to sleep and I can't bear to think of either of those 2 options.
4 people like this
11 responses
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
3 Jun 09
I would definitely take him, as he took everything else. You are more lenient than I would be, especially finding out about another woman. I would take him for what I could get and then I would not have to worry about things. He put you in this situation.
2 people like this
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
3 Jun 09
I'm not a vindictive person by nature but do have atemper and he's gone way to far I seem to have a very good and aggressive lawyer and she knows he's lying and plans on catvching hime so I'm gonna do everything in my power to take what is rightfully mine. Tbaks Thoroughrob. Peace, my friend. ~D
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
3 Jun 09
Don't give up on keeping your little King Louie, he is too cute. The courts aren't stupid when it comes to A$$holes husbands neither. I hope it all works out for you and you get what you deserve, I hope he gets what he deserves too. Say your prayers and keep the faith, its all going to work out for the best. {{hugz}}
2 people like this
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
3 Jun 09
Oh Polly, you have been one of my most loyal friends here even though I come and go because of having to keep up with school and you always have great advice. I pray several times a day that God will answer my prayers and keep my Louir and my cat Lollipop together. They are all that I will have in this world when this is over they ae always the two I can count on who lobe me unconditionally. I know it sounds childish to some but I know plenty of others who could give up thier cay=t or dog for the same reason I just can't bear to do it. I can't have kids, I just turned 40 and like I said to me they are part of my family and very much like my kids. I just don't see my ex getting what he deserves because he's so dishonest and sneaky, but I have a very good lawyer who had dealt with people like him and she came right out and told me she has never seen anyone as stupid, and she really used the word stupid when it came to things he was doing and vioating the temorary court orde. I just don't see why I'm asking so much for the half of the money I'm legally entitled to and then being able to keep my pets which he doesn't want and neglects and abuses, I've seen him do it e=several times and he lies and denies it even when others have seen it he acts like we're all crazy.
If I move farther away from my family I won'y be able to see them until the end of December when I finally get the car which will be anice Christmas present for me because then I can come and go as I please because I can try to save some money, get my car and then be able to drive half hour to where my family and friends are and I;'m sure they will visit me. Not my parents too much because my brother is my moms favorite, but Ill just be happy to see them when I can. I sure do miss my Grandma Goebel, she was my dad's mom and I could go to her for anything no matter what she never got angry and always treated me with love and respect so we could talk out and solve any problem. I was way closer than I was with my mom and she was very wise and never gave me bad advice or stopped telling mt how everyone makes mistakes, and we should learn from them which I did and was always proud of me and ley me know. I talk to her in Heaven every night to tell her I love and miss her after I pray and it makes me frrl a little better and gives me a little comfort.
Thanks again Polly for always being there with your great advice and taking the time to talk and care. ~ Dawn
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Jun 09
I know a lot of people are having custody battles over their pets when they get divorced. They are like a member of the family, so it's a tough thing to do. I wish you the best!
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
6 Jun 09
I would ask for much more than negotiate down to what you really want. You need some kind of big settlement to get you through the initial period until you are done with school
1 person likes this
@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
3 Jun 09
King Louie is adorable, and there is no way I could leave him behind - I don't think you will, or Lollipop. They belong with you Dawn. I lost one of my dogs 3 weeks ago and still feel empty without her here with me, even though I have my other dog. You are going to need King Louie and Lollipop more than you will ever know, to get you through this.
Let your lawyer take your husband for as much as possible because you are entitled to it. Your husband has put you in this position so let him pay for it.
I'm not a vindictive person either - you are only getting what is rightfully yours.
I will be praying for you that you come out on top of all this mess. Stay strong and positive. Hugs xx
@spicysweetie21 (2573)
• United States
3 Jun 09
Oh my gosh Im so sorry that you have to go through all of that, you should definitely ask the courts and your lawyers, i don't know what state you live in but here in california you are entitled to half of everything he makes, you are a wonderful person for loving your dog and when you talk to the lawyer i would definitely point out what your ex would do with the dog, you should fight tooth and nail to keep the dog, if you can't keep the dog yourself until you find a place you can afford then maybe you can ask one of your family members to take him in just temporarily? and i have to say shame on your ex for being so heartless
1 person likes this
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
3 Jun 09
Hi spicysweetie21, thanks for the suggestion of putting him in the care of family but I checked into that and nobody has room. I will fight with everything I have to keep him, I have a year and a half of college left and then I'll get a great job so I can find a bigger house that I can afford a little better and have hm and my cat Lollipop with me they're both completely housebroken, don't chew or scratch furniture and behavior better than some human kids I've see, lol!
Someday my ex will have to answer for all the things he's done to me the physical, mental and emotional abuse and he did it to his ex wife who is now helping him because she doesn't like me because we got together after they divorced but we knew each other for over 20 years and I feel like a fool for not seeing it.
Thanks for the advice and I'll keep you all posted. PM me if you want to ok. And thank you so much for caring and all your advice, I appreciate it more than you know and from all my friends here. Keep in touch. ~D
@MathandScienceLover (23)
• United States
3 Jun 09
What I can tell you is that, I will pray for you. I think that you should be able to keep the puppy. I think you should rely God. Do not fret about this. Pray with all your heart. Serve God to the best of your ability and not give up. Do your best. Pray for your situation. Ask God to take care of it and I know it won't be easy but it will be possible. Just let God take care of it. Do not take it out of his hands please, when you put it in his hands.
@ariesflame (188)
• United States
4 Jun 09
Ask the judge for custody of the dog. If he really works all the time how does he have proper time for it. If it is a puppy consistency is important if you have been the primary caretaker of the dog. Add it to the divorce papers..that you want custody of the dog. That's all you need to do, and argue that it is in the best interests of the dog to be with the person that cares for it the most. If you have to give up some alimony, oh well..he will still have to pay if the laws work the same there as most places. Anyway, file for custody of the dog..ask your lawyer about that :)
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Jun 09
First off, I'd be yelling at my lawyer if I were you, as it does not seem like he is doing his best for you if the hubby is getting everything 
If you truly wish to keep the puppy then the only option I see for you is the move to a different town. Unless you could somehow leave the dog temporarily with family members. Giving up a pet like yours would be a traumatic experience for you so I do hope you can find a way to keep it.
If you truly wish to keep the puppy then the only option I see for you is the move to a different town. Unless you could somehow leave the dog temporarily with family members. Giving up a pet like yours would be a traumatic experience for you so I do hope you can find a way to keep it. 1 person likes this
@dogsnme (1264)
• United States
5 Jun 09
That dog is absolutely adorable. I say do whatever you have to to keep him. Talk to your lawyer and see what he says. The worst he can do is say that the judge won't go for it, which would be unfortunate. Like you said, you're not asking for much. Just a little extra monetary help so you can keep the dog. Personally, I think your ex deserves a worse fate than that, like having a dog pee in his Wheaties or something. Sorry! Couldn't help throwing that in there. No, really. I've got 4 dogs of my own, 3 of which were rescues. I've developed a love and appreciation of animals that I didn't have before. Do everything you can to keep that little guy. I wish you all the luck.
1 person likes this
@Bad_Daddy55 (497)
• Canada
9 Jun 09
u CAN'T LEAVE HIM IT WOULD BE A SURE DEMIZE FOR THIS INNOCENT DOG. Take the asswhole to court if u don't get what u feel is fare and tell him u will take him for every penny u can...
REMEMBER ALWAYS LUV YOUR DOG/PET , THEY WILL ALWAYS LUV U ..
AFTER EVERYTHING IS SETTLED AND U CAN'T KEEP HIM, FIND SOMEONE U KNOW TO KEEP HIM
