Abeera
Caring for a dog entails a significant responsibility, including meeting their physical and emotional needs daily. This involves providing food, water, shelter, exercise, and attention, as well as ensuring their health through regular veterinary care and responsible behaviour management. Despite the rewards of dog ownership, some individuals neglect even the most basic care for their pets.
In a particular case, OP took in a family dog that had been overlooked and mistreated by their cousins. Despite efforts to improve its situation, including grooming and medical care, the dog’s well-being continued to be neglected. When the dog developed cancer, OP took on the responsibility of providing veterinary care and ultimately cared for the dog until its passing. Now, their aunt and cousins are requesting the urn containing the dog’s ashes, but OP is hesitant to relinquish it, citing the lack of care shown to the dog while it was alive.
Scroll down to read their story.
Source: Reddit
1. The OP asks if he is an AH for not giving his cousin his dog’s ashes as he never cared for the dog when it was alive.
2. The OP brought their 15-year-old family dog to his house because no one cared for her.
3. Given to cousin at a young age, the dog lived in the grandparents’ yard for 12 years, receiving minimal attention due to the aunt’s dislike and cousin’s neglect.
4. After having the dog professionally bathed, the aunt claimed ownership, but showed minimal care for her health and meals, simply holding her occasionally and complimenting her appearance.
5. Despite the dog’s cancer diagnosis, they neglected to seek medical treatment or provide medication, refusing to contribute to expenses, which were ultimately covered by OP’s family members.
6. Upon bringing the dog home, OP sought permission from his grandparents and, as a courtesy, informed his cousin, who had the strongest bond with the dog.
7. After the dog’s passing, OP initially placed her ashes at his grandparents’ house but he felt uncomfortable with the dog being in such a toxic environment, so he brought them to his own home.
8. Despite their lack of care for the dog while it was alive, OP’s aunt and cousin now demand the ashes, prompting OP to question his actions and seek validation.
Now that you have read the story, it’s time for you to see what Redditors had to say about this. Read till the end to see what are other people’s opinions on this.
9. OP cared for the dog both in life and in death, establishing ownership and responsibility over it, making it rightfully his rather than his aunt and cousin.
10. A Redditor proposed that OP sell half of the dog’s ashes to their aunt and cousin in exchange for covering half of the veterinary expenses.
11. Give them a bag of wood ashes….they won’t know the difference between this and the dog’s ashes.
12. OP cared for the dog all along so he is entitled to keep the ashes too.
13. OP loved the dog unconditionally where as they only loved her when it suited them.
14. The dog became OP’s rightful ownership when their aunt and cousin declined to contribute to the payment of its medical bills.
15. Since OP and their family provided care and support to the dog in its final days, they have the right to retain possession of the ashes.
16. A Redditor recounted having their dog’s ashes encased within a necklace.
17. OP’s aunt and cousin are deemed undeserving of the dog’s ashes due to their neglect and lack of care for the dog, especially during its illness.
18. The community expressed sympathy towards OP for their loss and shared their grief.
19. “She was your dog.”…just make this thing clear to your aunt and cousin.
20. Retaining the ashes of a pet is a sentimental gesture that does not necessitate any specific treatment or attention.
As previously discussed, dogs demand substantial care, attention, and dedication, constituting a lifelong commitment. If one is unprepared to fulfill the essential time and financial obligations or unable to cater to the dog’s physical and emotional requirements, it is advisable to postpone dog ownership until readiness is attained. In this case, OP unequivocally assumed ownership of the dog by providing care for it, thus rightfully retaining the ashes. Do share your thoughts on the story in the comments section below.
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