Pets are well and truly a part of the family. They are often better friends than we really deserve.

Dogs,cats and other pets don't judge or cast aspersions. They simply love us unconditionally.

Sometimes, families are broken apart by divorce or separation - if our pets weren't pets, but children, we have systems in place to award shared custody, or indeed visitation rights to the parties involved. This is often a very difficult and emotionally taxing process, but at least there is a process.

Because there are absolutely no measures in place to protect both parties in a divorce, I now find myself in a situation where:

1. I have not seen my two best friends (dogs) in nearly two months
2. I have been made no assurances that I will ever be allowed to see them again

This in itself was after advising my soon-to-be ex-wife that she could keep our dogs on the basis that I could see them occasionally. This was agreed to in several early discussions, but has now been refuted and nullified as we battle over the finances of our estate - purely out of spite.

If it is to be that I never see my two wonderful dogs again, then I will feel incredibly cheated, not just by my ex-wife, but also by the Great British legal system. I will have to begin mourning their loss as though they have passed away - which is completely unfathomable.

Simply put, I consider it absolutely abhorrent that the law thinks my beautiful, loving and very sentient dogs should be given no more consideration than the TV, vacuum cleaner or kitchen table... They are classified under the heading of 'property' within the confines of divorce proceedings and this needs to change. 

Possession of 'property' follows the 'nine tenths of the law' rule, so getting my dogs back looks barely possible and at best absurdly expensive. Pet ownership should NOT come down to who has the pets in their possession last.   

At this point I would like to implore you to sign this petition. Parliament will discuss this issue at 100,000 signatures and there is the distinct possibility that future relationship breakdowns will work in the interest of all parties to protect our rights to see/ co-own our beloved pets.

Thank you.