My humans just dropped a bombshell on me.  They’re getting a divorce and my world will never be the same.  How could they make such a drastic decision without consulting me?  After all,  I am an important member of this family!

They decided that I’m going to stay in the house with my mom because I really need a back yard., especially now that I have a lot more stress than I used to.  I’ve been told that my dad is getting an apartment nearby, but I don’t know if I will ever see him again.  How can he leave me? Is any of this my fault? Did I chew something I shouldn’t have? And, by the way, whatever happened to good old canine-human communication?

I have no idea what I will do when Dad takes the kids for the weekend.  Who will be home to play with me? Who will take me to the dog park? There’s obviously a lot on my plate (or in my bowl) right now, but what absolutely terrifies me is that my Dad won’t love me anymore. What if he falls in love with someone else’s dog or worse, gets his own pet?  Will I ever have an opportunity to get to know my step-puppy?

I’m really starting to worry myself into an anxiety attack.  My mom told me that the family court judges don’t typically like to waste their time talking about us. “Waste time!” That’s so insulting! If a judge asked me for my opinion, I’d recommend that my mom and dad go to a Mediator instead of going to court. Mediators don’t consider talking about pets to be a waste of time. In fact, Mediators will spend as much time as needed to help moms and dads discuss adding a provision into their parenting plan about visitation with us. Often times, when kids visit their other parent, they take us with them, and that seems like a great idea to me! I get to ride in the car, I get to see what my dad’s been up to, and I don’t have to say goodbye to the kids. And as a bonus, my gets to take a break from me!

If you’re thinking about divorce, I’d like to remind you that your pets should have a voice too. And since we can’t actually discuss our needs and preferences, it seems like it would be a good idea to have a neutral Mediator help you figure it out.  Please keep in mind that we are a family, and we’ll always be a family even after our parents get divorced.

Whew!  I’m exhausted from all this typing.  Will someone please get me a milk bone?