Thanks for your input, HBR.
Gosh, our stories are pretty similar, aren't they? I told mine a month ago that I will see other guys from now on if I want since he pulled the whole "I don't want a relationship thing" (still see each other all the time, btw) and thinks it's just fine for him to go out alone with his pedestal girl. He must be worried although not prepared to change his ways! So he seems to now be following the same pattern then as your ex. You still have the dog and therefore, even though you left, she has left something of herself with you to love. Just weird how their minds work! My goodness... .