This week on So You Think You’re an Adult, one woman asked what to do after her husband got her a dog as a surprise birthday present.

“My husband surprised me for my birthday with a dog,” she told Moncrieff.

“The kids had been asking for one, and while we had discussed that it would be too much for our family to handle, he went ahead and got a puppy anyway.

“To be honest, after nearly a year, I’m still annoyed by it.

“I essentially have another child to mind – and I’m the one looking after a dog while he’s off commuting for work and the kids are at school.

“I work from home and I think the idea was that the dog would keep me company.

“But I don’t want company, I want peace.

“I’m stuck now looking after this dog and I resent that my husband gets to be the fun parent making rash decisions, whereas I am the responsible one cleaning up after the mess always.

“I’m so fed up.”

Golden Doodle Dog Chewing Up Sofa Cushion. Image: Image Source Limited. 28 April 2009

Broadcaster Barbara Scully said, “this woman’s husband needs a slap”.

“Like, a very big slap, because animals should never be given as gifts,” she said.

“And they are not entertainment, and they are not toys – they are animals.

“She didn’t say, ‘Oh, I’d love to have a dog for my birthday’ - that’s ridiculous, and that really annoys me.

“It’s a very bad example to his children to say, ‘Oh, the dog is a present’ - it’s a serious commitment when you take on an animal.”

Manage the situation

Barbara said this woman firstly needs to set her husband straight that he should never put her in this position again.

Then, she said there needs to be a family conversation where the responsibilities for the dog are divided more clearly.

TV personality Declan Buckley agreed, and said “it’s a bit dark what the husband did”.

“He’s basically bought a pair of handcuffs and he kind of handcuffed her to the house in some way, because she can’t just pop out or whatever,” he said.

“So, I find that strange and I find that should definitely be pointed out to him.”

Barbara said that unless this woman takes the drastic measure to rehome the dog, the unfortunate reality is that she has no choice but to manage the situation.

Main image: Golden retriever dog looking guilty at girl owner after playing with toilet paper in living room. Image: Ievgen Skrypko.