The original post: /r/amitheasshole by /u/Kohariiiii on 2024-10-08 23:47:02.

I’m 17 years old and for context, at the beginning of the last year, my parents bought a new dog (which I didn’t want, since I knew it would be left for me the responsibility to take care of it. Gonna talk more about this as the text goes on).

My parents were always absent during my childhood and I didn’t have any siblings, which made me grow up as an extremely lonely child. During my pre-adolescence and early adolescence I suffered many things, things that my parents don’t know about, because I never had the courage to tell them.

Everything that happened ended up worsening my mental health and I feel like I’m only getting worse with each passing day, and since this dog came into our life, my parents have completely changed their behavior towards me, what was already bad and cold, now became even worse.

Every time I complained about something I was feeling in relation to my health (like pain and discomfort) I had to hear from my parents (mainly my dad) that I wasn’t feeling anything and that I was just exaggerating. The times my dad had to take me to the hospital, I had to listen to him complain and treat me extremely badly the entire way there, every. single. time. But here’s the thing, if that dog appears acting strangely or defecating differently, they take it to the vet RIGHT AWAY, without even complaining.

When I decided to talk about it with them yesterday, all my mom said was “Are you jealous?” I said no and that I just wanted to understand why they spoiled this dog so much. My mother’s explanation was “Well, she’s a baby, she needs more attention.” My father was silent the entire time.

This dog is no longer a puppy despite being small. I see the concern and worry they express towards this dog and this is something they NEVER did to me.

In my childhood my parents were absent, in my adolescence they became cold and now it seems like I’m just a ghost in my own house. I wanted them to treat me with the love and affection they treat this dog. I’m tired, overwhelmed with school and housework and now I don’t even have time for myself anymore since I have to take care of the dog.

Having said all that, I feel ridiculous for being jealous of a dog. Am I exaggerating? Am I being selfish? What should I do…?