Exhausted, can't think straight -- What would you do... ?

[KurtNYC]

I got the 2 lab / golden pups I have always wanted 2 weeks ago and they are great, healthy dogs. I adopted them at a holistic farm on the edge of town. Their mother followed us to the car and I promised her I would absolutely protect and care for them.

My roommate I have a major disagreement about them. He has let them out unattended to pee wherever and chew whatever unsupervised when I am not here. Came home yesterday and the front door was left open! The female was out running around the apartment and although I have all the un-used electric cords unplugged, there are some that must remain plugged in (AC). Also plenty to chew on but I am more concerned about their health and safety. Wonderful roommate let the male chew through speaker cords and I hate the thought of a burned mouth or worse for one of the dogs if that had been 120vAC. Roommate is one of those people who has trouble closing doors and drawers, finishing one thing before starting the next, ADD or something. And every time his cell phone rings he walks outside with it, leaving doors open, etc. We have a nice huge crate and a puppy proof area but most of the house is not so the dogs need to be supervised when they are out there. And my protective instincts are way up.

Came to a head last night. Roommate was drunk and yelling and ranting as I was calming and holding the dogs. He would not stop and would not leave. I kept telling him "you're drunk, please got to sleep." Around 1230am he broke into my locked room and poured water onto me and my bed (!?) and I lost it. Pushed him down, he hit me and I reflexively slapped him across the face. He called the police and they came. They listed me as the victim but said that I have to go through eviction proceedings if I want him out. Roommate left to go sleep at his drinking buddies place. He tried to take one of the dogs with him right in front of the cop! No f**ing way! I have his keys for now but I slept with the dogs last night (not much) since he could try to get back in and take one (for spite or just plain stupidity).

I am considering giving the dogs up to someone who provide a better environment while I deal with getting the roommate out. I would move but my name only is on the lease and I think I have to evict him before I can move. I have been crying off and on as people call to ask about the dogs. I was so happy to have them finally. I hate the thought of giving up the dogs but there are people in my community who could help me make good on my promise to their mother. I am exhausted and need to do the right thing.

[redwitch]

1. Start the eviction process asap.

I am so sorry, some people are just mean. Has roommate showed this side for a long time?

[KurtNYC]

2. he hasn't mean toward the dogs -- more like unattentive

and neglectful. His drinking is mostly under control. I keep no booze in the house but he drinks with friends and comes home shitfaced about 2x a week. Mostly he has improved but the puppies raise the stakes.

[femmocrat]

3. Can you find someone to foster the dogs temporarily?

One puppy is stressful enough--- two is twice the stress!

We just adopted a puppy in April (a smaller dog) and she is just getting to the point where we can trust her for a few minutes unsupervised.

Your roommate is too irresponsible to be left alone with these puppies. Either he goes, or the puppies have to be confined or crated when he is at home. I vote for evicting the a-hole.

[KurtNYC]

6. the nice thing about 2 is that they have each other

and wear each other out. I'm looking through the eviction process now.

[Dr Morbius]

4. Your roommate lacks the responsibility to care for animals.

You have little choice as I see it; even if he's not a bad guy and his drinking is mostly under control, his presence is a danger to your dogs. Either the dogs go or he does; evict him and hope he grows up.

[Brickbat]

5. I would find a foster for the dogs while you evict the guy. Raising two lab/golden pups is hard

enough in a stable household. You won't be able to give the puppies your full attention if you're trying to evict your roommate. For that matter, you're going to find it very hard to take care of yourself if you're worrying about both your roommate and the puppies.

Find a foster to take the pups for a month or two, and start eviction proceedings. Not only are you not able to give the puppies your full attention, your roommate sounds like the type who could freak out and take it out on the dogs if he were to think they were the reason he was being evicted. I mean, he already went after you! Protect yourself and go easy on yourself, m'kay?