If you frequent Reddit’s “Am I The A**hole” forum, you’ve likely stumbled across countless queries from people entrenched in family feuds. We, too, are all too familiar with distressing tales of internet strangers going through it with their toxic relatives, but we’d not come across a familial rift worsened by a pet being chosen over a human family member — until today.
One Reddit user did indeed choose his cat over his brother, and as ridiculous as it sounds, his reasoning is pretty legit — and we aren’t the only ones who think so.
The 18-year-old Redditor explained that he once had a good relationship with his 19-year-old half-brother “despite the fact that my dad cheated on my mom with his mom with the excuse that he thought my mom would never be able to ‘provide a child.'” Well, that’s certainly a gross, half-baked excuse for infidelity.
The teen shared that he never faulted his brother for how he was conceived and they got along until he found out four months ago that his brother was sleeping with his then-girlfriend. Sounds like a case of the apple not falling far from the tree! The original poster (OP) wrote that he blocked his brother upon discovering his sibling was inappropriately interacting with the girl he was in a relationship with, and they’ve not been in contact since.
This is where the messy situation turns decidedly laughable. OP explained, “My cat and my half-brother have the same birthday so over the past several years I would attend my half-brother’s birthday party in the morning and throw my cat’s birthday party afterwards.” Hey, tradition is tradition.
He continued, “Yesterday though, I decided to have an early, extra-long party for my cat instead with my mom, aunts, and friends. They all adore Claire.” We love that his cat’s name is Claire; it feels so fitting for her esteemed status in the family.
“I didn’t go to my half-brother’s birthday, which caused my dad to call and say that I was being a bad brother for not forgiving my half-brother and reconciling,” the teen shared. He explained that he told his dad he had no interest in reconciling with his brother after his betrayal, which his dad didn’t take kindly to. “He asked me if my cat is more important so I said yes, and that I would always choose my cat over him.” Honestly, we’d choose Claire too.
OP explained that his three maternal aunts all dislike his father for cheating on his mom, but one of them said the teen “was a bit too harsh on him.” Hence, the reason Claire’s dad is on the “AITA” subreddit: he wants to know if he’s The A**hole.
The replies spanned from thoroughly entertained to hilariously sh*tposting to genuinely offended on behalf of OP, with the overwhelming verdict being that the 18-year-old is not a jerk.
“NTA but holy sh*t this made me laugh,” one Redditor wrote. They continued, “I love the idea that even on a good day your brother only gets half your attention because you throw an entire party for your cat. I can’t imagine a wound cutting deeper than a cat having a better party than you.”
Someone else replied, “It made me want to get a cat. And say it’s birthday is on the same day as people I don’t like and throw it a party.” Another person funnily (and accurately) responded, “This feels like such a cat thing to do, too.”
Others were unequivocally Team Claire, with one Redditor writing, “NTA and happy birthday to Claire.” Someone else added, “It sounds like Claire is lovely. I hope Claire had a nice day,” to which another person replied, “Claire is a queen and deserves the best.” No lies detected on this front.
Other more serious Reddit users ensured OP that his dad and brother are very much TAs, with one person opining, “Your half-brother is no better than your dad, and has zero respect for you. Just cut him off, cat or no cat.”
Another Redditor perfectly summed up the situation, writing, “NTA, your father was a cheat, of course he would see what your older brother did as not that big a deal.” They continued, “Whatever your father’s reason for cheating (a very selfish man from what you have said) and whatever reason your brother gives for sleeping with your girlfriend; such behavior is not acceptable.” Amen!
“Cat birthday or not, choosing not to be around your half-brother or your father after this behavior is certainly your choice,” the supporter asserted. “I would likely feel the same way in your shoes. Enjoy the time with people who really care for you at your cat’s birthday party,” they advised.
Next time you need to cut off your toxic family members, consider taking a feather out of this Redditor’s cap by using your pet as your exit plan.
Before you go, check out some of Reddit’s most ridiculous grown children.
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