Dear Curtis,

--------Back in February, my owners ended their 5-year relationship. It was very sad and an adjustment had to be made by all. After the split, I began living mostly with dad Grant, but mom Leslie would get to see me every other weekend, mostly when she was with her 11-year old son, and my buddy, Robby.

--------While this has been working out fine for several months, I'm starting to get sick of the back-and-forth travel. I really like the swinging bachelor pad that dad has created for me and now, more and more, I find myself getting sad as the weekend with mom approaches. Plus, there's a really hot Beagle that lives across the street that I'm just getting to know.

--------Curtis, how do I show my owners that I'm done with this custody sharing and that I want to stay put? Should I start being bad while I'm at mom's house...say pee on the floor and eat wallpaper? Please help!

--------Murray the Mutt

Dear Murray,

--------You’re not alone. Like children, dogs are negatively impacted by the fact that humans have difficulty loving and living with one another over time.

--------After all, we’re social animals and tend to bond to a “family” routine and way of life. Thus, when our “family” dissolves, our world usually dissolves as well and some of us, especially if we’re old enough to have stopped learning new tricks, may have a hard time adjusting to the change, which could involve being shuttled between parents much like some children.

--------I must say that you appear to have adjusted well to your parents’ breakup and until recently were happy with the back-and-forth travel. Now that you have this swinging bachelor pad and have met a hot Beagle (which may not be as good as a hot bagel), I can understand why you no longer wish to mimic a tug toy. Oftentimes, as a child of divorce gets older, their social life increases causing them to cut back on spending time with one of their parents. This appears to be happening with you.

--------So, what to do? Destroying property is not an answer so peeing on your mom’s floor and eating wallpaper, unless it’s liver-flavored, isn’t a way to go…and it can make your mouth really pasty. Perhaps your parents will understand how you feel if you refuse to get into your mom’s car when she picks you up. Or, try hiding. As a last resort, howl when you get to your mom’s and keep howling until she returns you to your dad. Hopefully, after a few visits with you howling and her not sleeping well, both she and your dad will get it.

--------Curtis the Dog