My stepdaughter has owned a “therapy” dog since her parents’ divorce. Lately, my son developed a severe allergy to fur.

I begged my husband to sell the dog, he said, “Sorry, my daughter’s mental health comes first!” So, I made a choice- I ensured the dog vanished. The next morning, I went up to my son’s room to wake him up and froze in shock: my husband was standing there, holding the dog’s collar in one hand and a crumpled note in the other.

His face was twisted with anger, and before I could say anything, he turned toward me. He had found out. He knew what I had done. A stranger had picked up the “lost” dog from the street and taken it to the neighborhood shelter. The shelter had recognized the dog and contacted my husband. He couldn’t believe I had gone behind his back like this.

He kept accusing me of hurting his daughter and crossing a line that would be hard to come back from. I tried to explain, telling him I didn’t know what else to do, that my son was suffering, and he had refused to listen to me. I even told him I didn’t regret what I’d done-not one bit.

I said, “My son’s physical health is in danger, and I would do anything to protect him.” To make things worse, my stepdaughter appeared in the doorway. She had overheard everything.

Her face was pale, and her eyes were glassy, as though she was on the verge of tears but trying to hold them back. She didn’t say much-just that she had trusted me, and now she didn’t.

Now, I don’t know how to keep the balance in my family. How can I prioritize my son’s health without continuing to hurt my husband and stepdaughter? I desperately need your advice. Sincerely,
Paula