Our first family dog, Riley, was a psychotic piece of work. I paid an outrageous amount to an animal therapist who insisted that Riley was not the problem. Rather, it was my lack of leadership skills and my refusal to feed Riley a raw meat diet that was at issue.
But after several more months of being held hostage in my own home and dressing the bite wounds of my kids, I sought a second opinion. This trainer did a thorough evaluation and concluded that Riley had zero bite inhibition, was most likely inbred, and would probably kill someone one day. She suggested Riley be put down (we sent him back to the Mennonite farm instead).
Sure, I could have re-mortgaged our house and squandered our kids’ college fund to hire the Dog Whisperer full-time to straighten Riley out. But getting that mutt out of our house was a damn good decision. Riley’s replacement is Jessie. Best damn family dog in the whole wide world. I intend to grow old with Jessie.
Letting go of my relationship with Riley has made me think of all the stories I’ve been hearing recently about people who are sitting on the fence about whether to euthanize their relationship or continue to invest physically, emotionally and financially to keep it on life support.
God, it’s a hard choice. And there is no one right answer. Some people feel their marriage vows are sacred and will fight to the bitter end to honour them. In their view it is a sign of failure to seek a divorce and will pull out all the stops to prevent it. They believe that what is broken can be fixed. Just because all the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again, it doesn’t mean the same heroic efforts can’t fix their relationship.
Other folks believe relationships can evolve in bad ways and it’s best to accept that fact and move on. People change, circumstances change, feelings change. Change is not always for the better. They believe relationships can run their course, and that there is no participation medal for those who stick it out to the bitter end.
The problem of course is when two partners hold opposing points of view. Expectations are broken, fingers are pointed and the only winners are the marriage counselors and divorce lawyers.
What’s my view?
14 months.
14 months is the time I have in my head for how long I would try to save my marriage if things started to go south (hopefully it will never come to that). Given my husband and I have been married for close to 25 years, it would seem rash to pull the plug after a bad day, week or month. But once we limp past the one year mark, I think I would rationally assess whether something has shifted so irrevocably in our relationship that it was time to take it off life support.
I’ve witnessed too many people hold on for dear life to what they have — even when it’s not what they want or need. I’ve seen too many people live in anguish, being cut slowly one piece of flesh at a time until their heart is completely severed. I’ve seen couples get old together wishing they had died long ago. I don’t want to be a part of that couple.
Sometimes it’s just best to put the relationship down. Mourn the loss. And move on.
Next: How to keep your partner out of the friend zone
Patti Pokorchak
Nov 28, 2013 -
Not sure if 14 months is long enough. Guess it depends on how long you were together and how hopeful you are that you can turn things around. Or what you need to learn in that relationship.
For me, once my honeymoon year of marriage was over, it still took 6 years of trying – 3 marriage counsellors, and one mediator before declaring it over by mutual consent. I don’t give up easily – I do get called Persistent Patti for a reason. But I needed to be married to him
However, it’s now been 5 years and I couldn’t be happier on my own (though dating a much younger very easy going guy).
It’s good to know that sometimes it’s better to pull the plug quicker but in my case, I needed that time to learn what I needed to learn so that I don’t repeat that lesson!!!
Sue Nador
Nov 28, 2013 -
I agree it’s a personal choice. I know in terms of how I’m wired, I don’t think I have the “persistent” relationship gene. My philosophy is more that relationships shouldn’t have to take an extraordinary amount of work to make it work. I know I don’t have the stomach for living in a difficult environment for too long. Sounds like you’ve got a great thing going now, Patti!!!
Patti Pokorchak
Nov 28, 2013 -
I hear what you’re saying and others told me too – relationships are work BUT they shouldn’t be that much work!
You’re right and life is so much better when relationships are fun and not all work. I think that was a huge neon sign saying ‘leave, get out’ but I couldn’t see it at that time. I do now.