This is why everyone should always draft a roommate contract before moving in with a new roommate(s). You can find example roommate contracts online that can give you an idea as to what yours should include in it.
In general they can be relatively plainly written and they are often enforceable.
The key behind doing this is, it lets you and your roommates set clear ground rules in a very easy to understand way. If your prospective roommates have a problem with such a thing, you probably shouldn’t move in with them in the first place.
And a bit of what **mhendo **said. We’d (I work in a property management office) evict both of you, along with the dog.
We have a dog, a small one. I wanted to go to Vancouver for a concert. Okay, we take the dog. Pay extra for a hotel that will accept pets. Pack all of dog’s necessities. Walk dog before getting on the ferry. Obtain fresh water for dog. Walk dog after getting off the ferry. Walk dog after checking in. Walk dog before concert. Walk dog at 11:30 p.m. as soon as we’re back in hotel room. Worry that we left dog alone for 4 1/2 hours–was it responsible? Kind? Get up at six a.m. to take dog out for pee. Sit in the pet area of the ferry for an hour and a half to keep dog company, instead of going up and pretending we’re on a mini-cruise. Carry around container of water for dog, leash, toy. Come home, walk dog. Get dog fresh water and food. Give dog chew stick.
It’s sort of like having a child, except a bit easier. But seriously, a student? Getting a puppy? Spells d u m b. And unfortunately, he’s put your tenancy in jeopardy, and he’s also taken on responsibility for another living creature that is utterly dependent on him, and sounds like he’s about as dependable as the stuff that comes out of a dog’s rear end.
Oh, by the way. I forgot to add. Never travel without dog bags, and walk around with wrapped-up fresh, warm dogshit in your pockets. That’s another part of having a dog.
Heck, pretty much what everyone else has posted already, I’d chime in on. You really need to get tough here, before the puppycute vortex sucks you in.
Thanks to everyone who confirmed that I wasn’t crazy for having some serious problems with his having brought home the puppy. Last night I brought home a girl friend (who is the closest thing to a dog trainer expert that I know), and she and he started arguing about his methods of training the dog. It got pretty heated; he eventually tried kicking her out.
I was initially conflicted about their argument (side with someone whom I have to deal with on an everyday basis, or side with the girl with whom I’ve been on a couple dates?), but he had no right to try to throw out my guest. So I told him how disrespectful and irresponsible I thought his actions were regarding the puppy.
Things were tense between us until this evening, when he apologized for having brought home the dog, and he told me that he had given it to a friend to stay with. I hope that the current owner is a good one.
Thanks for the help, Dopers; couldn’t have done it without you!
I dropped the ball; I admit it. I’m still getting used to how amazing it is to have the internet (I haven’t had regular computer access in years) and iPods. If I were to buy a digital camera before being completely acclimated to all this technology, my head might explode.
And, regarding the previous question about whether the dog will be coming back: no, it won’t. The thing is, my lease on the apartment is only for the length of the school year–school ends in mid-May, so while my roommate may resume his ownership of the dog at that point, it really won’t be my problem.
ETA: I’ll ask the girl if we go on a fourth date how she feels about my taking pictures of her and posting them on the internet. I’m sure she’ll be real receptive to that.
Good for you, and good for the girl. I like her already. I hope puppy is in a better, more stable and responsible place. Poor puppy–they are so dependent on us, they just can’t be a whim acquisition! Sorry about the rant above, it just is a lot of work and responsibility to have a dog.
