Girlfriend(30) and I (28)broke up couple weeks ago after about 5 years of being together. We ended things I guess you could say on good terms. But the reasoning why we split bc we both got so wrapped up in work it started affecting how we’d communicate with each other to the point where both us of felt like we weren’t being heard. We still live together bc We don’t really have anywhere else to crash Also we wouldn’t want to leave each other stuck with having to pay all the bills. I offered to start sleeping on the couch to give her space and plus I sleep better on it than the bed. We’ve talked about maybe by time it gets closer to the lease ending we may be able to reconnect and possibly get back together bc it wasn’t always like this before both of us started working more on our careers everything about us came easy. Talking to each other, placing boundaries and them being respected and so on. About two years ago on Valentine’s Day I was in a horrible spot mentally and she dragged me to the pound when I already told her I didn’t want us to get a dog yet. Well as soon I was introduced to Goose (my malinois mix) I told the employees that I didn’t want any other dog. Goose was found as a stray and then brought back to the shelter by two different families saying he was too much and aggressive he was going to be put down bc of it the next week. I ended up buying him for us but I have always felt like he’s my dog. I took this dog who used to be a complete psychopath anytime you took him for a walk to now being able to take him anywhere I go on/ off leash without having to worry if he’ll react. He also Has a strong recall like he’s been doing it his entire life. Anyway she’s starting to ask what we’re going to about who’s gonna get him when we split ways and I keep suggesting let wait until it gets closer to that time to talk about it(February) I know she’s gonna want to take him and yes she’s helped pay for stuff with him but Im the one getting up extra early before work to take him to get a couples few hours of exercise and depending on the weather and job site I even take him with me to work. With this breed they crave learning and being with their human and having a job to do which I give him. She doesn’t do stuff like that with him and nor does she think it’s necessary which it is very necessary bc we live in a state that reaches over 110°f so you have to get up early enough to beat the heat. I know when it comes down to it she’s gonna fight me on getting him but also my name is on all of his paperwork just curious if anyone has advice on how to approach this topic without making it get to heated.