[Bella Bear]

I found this article and thought it was a funny read. It talks about how common it is becoming that pet custody battles have made their way into people's divorce battles! Here is a short version and links to it:

When you take into account how attached we get to our beloved pets and the soaring divorce rates, it's little wonder that pet custody battles are becoming more and more common. A recent article in The Anchorage Press discusses how many such battles are decided - with a three-day separation from both parents, followed by a calling match.

"Here, boy!"

Whoever the dog comes to gets custody, since it apparently shows with whom the dog has a bigger emotional bond. At least, that's according to the article. We don't necessarily agree, but we were astounded to read that warring doggie parents sometimes go so far as to smear their hands with sausage to guarantee the dog comes to them. This happens often enough that a vet has to be employed to ensure no one is cheating!

The part that disturbed us the most, of course, being pet pamperers ourselves, was the fact that all 50 states still view pets as chattel, and therefore judges have every right to deny joint custody or visitation rights. While we understand how overburdened the legal system already is in monitoring joint custody cases, the thought of being shut off from our beloved pets for life was, to say the least, chilling.

There's no easy answer to this question. Our hearts go out to all involved!

http://www.pamperedpuppy.com/puppytrends/index.php

http://www.anchoragepress.com/archiv...ol14ed25.shtml