Man refuses to skip his annual memorial volunteer day at an animal shelter to attend his girlfriend’s family reunion, claiming that the specific day held "special significance" for him and his late dog: 'It's about honoring a commitment and a memory'

There is almost nothing that can ever truly replace the loving and safe presence of our childhood dogs. Our first pet is the milestone that every young child wishes for at least once after blowing out their birthday candles. I still remember the exciting day I got my first dog as if it were yesterday. A perfect little blonde Labrador wobbling over his own perfect little legs. And with every year that passes, the wishes turn into praying that they could stay this young and lively forever. I think almost everyone has shared that dream…

This man was lucky enough to experience that special bond, and even though his childhood doggy is no longer physically around, he still makes a point to honor him every year by volunteering at a dog shelter. The same day, the same time, every single year. A beautiful tradition that he has come to cherish…The thing is, because he is so set on that specific date, when other things seem to come up in life, he tends to push those "spontaneous" plans to the side. But is meeting your girlfriend's whole family also considered "too spontaneous" for him to bail on his day of volunteering?

Well, he seems to think that a commitment is a commitment, and that he shouldn't have to miss out on his annual tradition to accommodate his girlfriend's needs…She's not very impressed with his choices, feeling as though he has chosen honoring his late dog over meeting her whole family…Perhaps there are certain times to make exceptions, or is she the one who lacks sympathy? Some could argue that, as beautiful as his tradition is, maybe it's time to start focusing on the future, instead of being so set on the past.
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AITJ for refusing to skip my annual volunteer day to attend my girlfriend's family event?

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