Divorce Ends Up Splitting Hairs, Dog’s

Divorce is for the dogs. Just ask Bruiser, the only bone of contention when his owners split up.

Terry Richie agreed to pay his ex-wife, Carolyn, $30 a month in “petimony” until Bruiser, a 9-year-old Labrador-shepherd mix, barks his last.

Carolyn Richie said working out terms to end their 14-year marriage was simple. The couple parted amicably and co-wrote the divorce agreement, filed Thursday.

She gets the car, the house, the furniture and Bruiser. Terry Richie, a former radar specialist, keeps his boat, pickup, motorcycle and military retirement benefits.

Bruiser was the only sticking point.

“It really wasn’t an argument. I said, ‘If you take him, he’ll end up dead,’ ” said Carolyn Richie, a pianist and waitress.

She pointed out that Bruiser was with her husband when he collided with a truck. The dog lost two toes. The Richies split the $760 vet bill.

Carolyn Richie acknowledged the “petimony” agreement is unusual. If she had to do it again, she said, she would ask for $50 a month, because Bruiser is such a large dog.