Man Leaves Partner For 6 Weeks, Can’t Handle What He Comes Back To: “I Decided To Get A Dog”

Chat, be honest—if your boyfriend says he wants to “hit pause” on the relationship to figure himself out, then disappears for six weeks without responding… would you assume he broke up with you?

This Redditor did.

Thinking the relationship was over, they decided to adopt a dog, something they couldn’t do before because their boyfriend was allergic.

But more than a month later, he showed up at their doorstep, saying he was ready to be part of their life again, only to be shocked and hurt to find a dog there instead of a warm welcome.

Scroll down to see how that reunion played out… and whether the relationship survived it.

The man told his partner he needed a break from the relationship and vanished for six weeks

French bulldog resting in a soft red dog bed, highlighting the story of allergic partner and adopted dog conflict.

Image credits: Cristina Glebova / unsplash (not the actual photo)

When he returned, he expected a warm welcome, but was greeted by a dog he’s allergic to instead

Man disappears for weeks story text about partner adopting a dog despite his allergies and relationship struggles.

Text describing someone reaching out to a man who disappeared, then deciding to adopt a dog despite his allergies.

Text describing a partner allergic to pets who disappeared, then the other adopted a dog despite the allergy.

Text message excerpt about a man disappearing for weeks, then confronting his angry partner who adopted a dog despite his allergies.

Text about man disappearing for weeks and returning angry at partner for adopting a dog despite his allergies.

Man and woman arguing on a couch after partner adopted a dog despite knowing he is allergic, showing frustration and anger.

Image credits: djoronimo / envato (not the actual photo)

Text conversation about a man disappearing, ghosting, and an allergic reaction triggered by a dog adopted by his partner.

Text excerpt about a man disappearing for weeks and the angry partner adopting a dog despite his allergies.

Image credits: LazyMathematician823

Is there a right way to take a relationship break?

Image credits: Gabriel Ponton / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Taking a break from your relationship is a serious decision, and one that can easily lead to misunderstanding if not handled carefully.

For many, the word break automatically signals a breakup, or at least a warning sign that things might not be repairable. It can feel like a way of stepping back without actually taking accountability.

And statistically, that assumption isn’t too far off. Research shows that chances of reuniting after a break are low. One study found that only 10 percent of couples who lived together ended up getting back together after a separation, and only 33 percent of those stayed together long-term.

But that doesn’t mean breaks are doomed to fail. Experts say it all depends on how you handle it.

“It is highly dependent on how the people in the relationship approach the break and decide to maturely work on the underlying issues that have led to this particular moment,” Elizabeth Overstreet, a relationship expert, told Brides. “Taking a break away from someone you love and have been in a relationship with can elicit different responses.”

So what’s the best way to navigate a relationship break?

First, both partners need to clearly understand why the break is happening. What’s the purpose behind it?

Are you feeling disconnected? Are you starting a new chapter in life, like moving for work or school, that’s making you question your future together?

If the issue is something fundamental—like one of you wants kids and the other doesn’t—it might not be a break you need, but a breakup.

Either way, it’s crucial to have an open and honest, in-person conversation.

During that conversation, don’t hold back.

“Be open and honest about why you both feel the break is needed,” Overstreet said. “This will help establish the goals and expectations during the break and allow both individuals to go into it with clarity around its purpose. It takes courage and vulnerability to say what you need to say—but on the back end, you both will respect one another for putting your cards on the table versus holding back the truth.”

One of the most important things to do is set clear rules and boundaries.

You should both agree on what this break means: Will you stay in touch? Will you see other people? How will shared responsibilities be handled, like living arrangements, pets, or even a shared car?

Also, decide how long the break will last. There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline, according to Calm. Some couples may benefit from just a week apart, while others need more time. The key is to agree on a timeframe together, and actually stick to it.

With all that in mind, it’s easy to see why the author of the story above felt like the relationship had come to an end. There wasn’t enough communication or structure around the break to make it feel mutual or intentional.

Because when one person disappears without any of these conversations, it doesn’t feel like a break, it feels like being left behind.

The author later shared more thoughts on how they felt

Man frustrated after partner adopts dog despite knowing he’s allergic, following his disappearance for weeks.

Conversation snippet showing a discussion about dog breeds with mention of a possible Rottweiler mix.

Many readers sided with them, saying the boyfriend was in the wrong for disappearing

Man frustrated after partner adopts dog despite knowing he’s allergic following weeks of disappearance and no contact.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a man angry after his partner adopted a dog despite his allergies.

Comment about man disappearing for weeks and angry partner adopting a dog despite his allergy discussed online.

Text post on a social platform with a comment stating unsubscribe from that relationship, relating to a man disappearing and dog allergy issue.

Screenshot of Reddit comment discussing relationship pause and breakup in a text-based online conversation.

Text post discussing frustration after partner adopted a dog despite knowing about allergies during relationship.

Comment expressing support for adopting a dog despite partner’s allergy after man disappears for weeks

Comment screenshot showing a user saying a man disappeared for weeks then returned after partner adopted a dog despite his allergies.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment saying "Now it's his turn to be ghosted," related to a man disappearing and partner adopting a dog despite allergies.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a man disappearing for weeks before returning with a plan after partner adopts dog.

User comment from Reddit, discussing breakup and lack of communication after man disappears for weeks and partner adopts dog despite his allergies.

Comment about man disappearing for weeks and getting angry partner adopting a dog despite his allergies in a social media post.

Text post discussing a man who disappears for weeks and the partner adopts a dog despite his allergy.

Comment about man disappearing, returning upset after partner adopted a dog despite his allergies causing conflict.

Text comment expressing frustration about a partner disappearing and the other adopting a dog despite allergies.

Reddit comment about man disappearing for weeks, partner adopting a dog despite his allergies, causing anger and tension.

Man gets angry after partner adopts dog despite knowing he’s allergic following his disappearance for weeks.

Text excerpt from a forum post discussing a partner adopting a dog despite knowing he’s allergic after he disappeared for weeks.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a man disappearing for weeks and partner adopting a dog despite his allergies.

Man disappears for weeks then returns angry after partner adopts dog despite his allergies.

Text conversation about relationship issues and a partner adopting a dog despite allergies, causing anger and conflict.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a man who disappeared for weeks and a partner adopting a dog despite his allergies.

Comment discussing a man disappearing for weeks and his partner adopting a dog despite his allergies.

Comment about man disappearing for weeks and returning upset after partner adopted dog despite his allergies.

Comment on a forum post discussing a man who disappeared weeks, then got angry after partner adopted a dog despite his allergies.

Comment stating happiness about adopting a senior dog while partner disappeared for weeks, causing anger due to allergies.

However, some argued they were also at fault for not realizing a break didn’t mean a breakup

Text post discussing a man disappearing for weeks and partner adopting a dog despite his allergies causing anger.

Comment discussing boyfriend disappearing for weeks and partner adopting a dog despite known allergies causing anger.

Comment text about man disappearing and partner adopting a dog despite his allergies, showing frustration and conflict.

Screenshot of an online comment about poor communication and disrespect between partners in a relationship conflict.

Comment discussing the difference between pressing pause and stop in a relationship argument online.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a man disappearing for weeks and his partner adopting a dog despite his allergy.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a man disappearing weeks and partner adopting a dog despite allergies.

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