Originally posted by 3CaniBellisimi
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First of all, I totally disagree that the way the dog is being treated is not abusive. It most DEFINITELY is emotionally abusive to the dog to withold affection from it.

Depriving a dog of the love, positive praise, and affection is a passive aggressive and cruel things to do to a companion animal. And it harms the animal just as much as physical beating or hitting the dog. Because although you aren't abusing its physical body and are meeting its physical needs for food and shelter, you are abusing this animal by being averse to its presence and by witholding your love, affection, petting, etc.

I was under the impression that this is the mother's dog, and, I'm assuming (hoping) that the dog is getting love and affection from her. Ky did say that she brushes the dog, walks the dog, etc. If the dog is being neglected emotionally in the household by everyone, then that's different. That's all I was saying. I agree with what you say, though. I do feel badly for both Ky and the dog.