Search Results for: blog custody battles

Custody Disputes That End In Tragedy

When custody of your children is being decided after a divorce it can be the most emotional time in your life. No one wants to live without their children. In many cases both parents are involved, loving, supportive parents, regardless of the reasons their marriage ended. And both want and believe they deserve custody of the children. Sometimes custody battles result in one parent taking their life and the lives of their children. Recently we were witness to that with the Powell children, their father killed himself and both of the boys in an explosion because, as he said- he … Continue reading →

Custody Battles Over Pets

I’ve heard of nasty child custody battles, but I’d never thought of the same for pets. However, after reading about the concept in a recent Huffington Post article I don’t find it that surprising. After all, pets are like children to many people and even those that aren’t are still beloved by their owners. It’s no surprise that either divorcing party wouldn’t want to part with their pet. Pet custody has recently become a more contentious issue. Cases have risen 23% and Harvard Law now offers a course in the field. While I imagine that pet custody struggles are not … Continue reading →

Celebrity Divorces—What Fuels Battles Like These?

It’s no secret I was shocked when I heard the news that model Christie Brinkley was getting divorced yet again. And, like many others, I was even more shocked when I learned what triggered her filing. Tabloid trash aside even the most uninterested reader has got to feel horrible for the children involved in this divorce (and those not nearly as contentious as Brinkley’s), which is why I was stunned when I heard what transpired a few days ago when Brinkley and her estranged husband Peter Cook tried to hammer out a temporary custody agreement involving their 11-year-old son Jack … Continue reading →

Stop Hurting Your Children

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Why can’t we all just get along? Words made famous for a different battle but apply just as much to people after a divorce. Divorce is one of the worst things you can go through, for you and your children. Even worse though are the battles that often continue after the divorce is final. Every day I see people who have turned completely against their ex’s and are trying to drag their children with them. How is it fair to a child to talk negatively about their other parent. I’ve heard parents tell their children that their father doesn’t love … Continue reading →

Mothers Helping Mothers

As a single mother there are often times when we find ourselves in a bind, after all there is only one of us. It isn’t uncommon for our schedules to require us to be in three places at once. While this may seem physically impossible, somehow we manage. At times we have no other choice than to enlist the help of those around us. As much as we’d like to, there are times when we simply can’t do it all by ourselves. Many years ago, when my mother was at the beginning of her journey as a single parent, she … Continue reading →

Deceased Dog Granted Legal Status Beyond Property

Legally pets are considered property. It’s relevant related to insurance claims or custody and other legal proceedings. It seems harsh to many, including myself, because in both instances it can lead to decisions that don’t seem to take into account that most people love their animals like family members. Now a Texas court has changed the game. The Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth made a ruling in a case that gave dogs increased status above property. Dogster.com has the full story. One day the worst happened for an unnamed couple in the Fort Worth area. Their dog, Avery, … Continue reading →

My First Pet

As long as I can remember I’ve wanted a dog. In preschool when I was around three-years-old we had the assignment to write out our Christmas present wish list. A dog was at the very top of mine. At first my wish for a dog might have just been the childish desire for one that many kids get, but my love of animals has never gone away. Unfortunately, my parents were never very interested in the work most pets, cats and especially dogs, entailed, especially as they knew that a child of my age wouldn’t end up taking any real … Continue reading →

Updated Pet Store Ban Initiated in San Francisco

A year ago this month I wrote about how some cities across the country were thinking of initiating a ban on dog and cat sales at pet stores. The purpose of the move was to strike a blow to puppy and kitten mills, which sometimes supply to pet stores. Animal rights advocates also hoped to encourage prospective pet owners to consider adopting a homeless pet from a shelter. According to the LA Times, in San Francisco at least the ban never took place, though it was never completely withdrawn. Proponents of the ban tried to expand it to include fish … Continue reading →

Animal Abuse Registry

Back when I was a teenager and hadn’t yet learned to stop watching pet cops shows for the sake of my stress levels, I remember learning an interesting, if obvious, fact. People who abuse (and this is direct physical abuse, not criminal neglect) their animals are much more likely to become violent against others, especially their family members. Now a county in New York State is taking that information to its next logical conclusion: Suffolk County, NY is launching a pet abuser registry. According to MSNBC, the purpose of the registry is to create a list of potential family abusers; … Continue reading →

Introducing Pets to Newborns, Pt. 2

Last week I started a series on how to introduce your newborn children to the household pets. I stressed that the most important thing you can do to make the transition as smooth as possible for all family members, human and animal alike, is to make sure pets still receive some exclusive attention. Today I’ll look at some other things you can do before the baby arrives to help prepare your pet. Both expectant and new parents have several options to prepare and properly train pets to be around babies. The nine months of pregnancy afford you invaluable time to … Continue reading →