For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 21, 2019

since when was Farley El’s dog in the first place? isn’t Farley, like, the FAMILY dog? the FAMILY should pitch in

Family dogs are always the responsibility of the mom, whether she likes it or not! Any mom who expects otherwise is kidding herself!

I am confused by the Lo Kal Dog Food for Corpulent Canines (although I do support buying local). Didn’t Elly just switch his food a few days ago and that’s what led to his refusing to eat his food? For all we know, Farley may like this stuff better than the old new stuff and start eating it.

Oh right, Elly, the kids were going to do all the work if you just let them have the dog. You said you would make sure they did it, you wouldn’t be stuck with all the responsibility but that never works out. Just like everything else you got stuck with caring for Farley. I would just tell them alright if I have to do everything for this dog he is MY DOG! He is no longer the family dog he is MINE. I will make all decisions for him with no input from you since you’re unwilling to accept any responsibility for his care.

She was guilt-tripped by Mrs. Baird to take the puppy (he was the runt.) The rest of the family didn’t get much say.

The mother is always the human parent. I’ve always been the one who discipline, train, feed, snuggle with, take them to the vet, walk them, buy them chews and toys. Even my furry grandkids. So, yes, Farley’s Elly’s dog.

Never the less. Delegation is Moms basic instinct. Teaching lessons by sharing the load.

Maybe they’ll help you if you ask nicely—-but he’s your dog, Elly!

Appalled that Elly is lazy to take care of Farley and I agree she should play a big part in taking care of Farley since she is homemaker and mother. I may be working woman in the home of just me and husband, but we take turns in taking care of our chihuahua. No matter how much my spouse says that our dog is his dog, I am well entitled to our dog since I pay for her vet care in addition to her grooming. I don’t provide her cheap food, just good quality food that she likes and eats even if it costs a little more. God Bless my ferocious taco bell dog!

My son wanted a dog. I said ok, take one of the neighbor’s dogs out for a walk for a week. He did it once. End of story.

She could approach it from a different angle: We all love Farley and want him to continue to live a long, active life. Let’s all help him out here. It might work for a week or two before another reminder is necessary.

The “my dog, your dog” thing baffles me. We had a dog while the kids were growing up who was the 5th member of our family. Apollo (b. 12/25/01 – d. 04/06/16. R.I.P. Big Guy) was taken care of by all of us. I was generally home during the day, so vet visits were my territory, but feedings, playing, and outdoor time were shared by all of us.Now my husband and I have 2 dogs, and while one gravitates toward me and the other toward him, we both take care of them. Neither is “my dog” or “his dog”, they are our dogs.

The hippie is short for hypocrite maxim takes a quantum leap forward…..

With Elly doing the bulk of the household stuff, it’s reasonable that the kids walk the dog.

She should not have asked “Whose dog is it?” She should have stated, “It’s YOUR dog!”

How realistic can you get?

Keep Farley healthy. You’re gonna need him!

In a dog’s view of the world, a properly working pack has an alpha male and an alpha female. Aside from the obvious, the alpha male is there, mostly, to provide food and warn off intruders. Any other pack members instinctively gravitate toward the alpha female as her helpers. Farley joined this pack when he was a puppy. He’d see John and Elly as the established alphas.

Came back to bite you, did it Elly!

I’m reminded of the story about the girl that kept bugging daddy about getting her a pony. Went on for months. Finally, he told her that a friend at work was going on vacation, and his girl had a horse. Told her that if she’d agree to care for the pony until they got back, he’d get her a pony. She was thrilled! So, she cared for the pony for the two weeks. Daddy never heard any more about wanting a pony! (I was happy to see horses being phased out when I was little – tractors don’t bite and kick!)

Has Elly consulted a vet before putting Farley on a strict diet & exercise regimen?

If you think so then time for him to go…my dog?

They should have been taking him on a daily walk since puppyhood.