Hiya . I saw this and I touched my heart. Firstly I'd like you to get a really positive head on and go speak to the step dad explain in no uncertain terms he needs to grow up and get his *** together. YOU are loosing YOUR MUM...might be his eife/gfriend but it's your MUM babe. This time is about you and her. You haven't enough head space to worry about him aswell... he must be quite a meek man not to see this and his actions are not that of a grown up. Yes he's loosing his Love but your Mum can't be replaced.

As far as stating there for the dog...im a dog lover so this is a tough one. Could maybe the 2 biggest go to someone you know temporarily perhaps? You keep your baby and he only has maybe 3 to look after then. Hard i know but I think you've got to harden your sweet kind heart a bit here. It's natural to feel panic at life without MUM...I miss mine everyday still and my son was 16 in December, he was born the day she died.. 

You will find an inner stregnth once she's passed you never knew you had but it will take time. For now try and spend quality time helping your mum feel comfy and loved. Tell him to man up or *** off as you don't need it, time to step up as step dad eh! 

Don't rush into anything, you've time to see what happens and how things fall into place. If you can ask your Mum what she thinks re dogs and him after she has gone..hard conversation but this shouldn't all be left on your shoulders. 

You will be ok. Not sure how I can check back but I will look see if you've been able to reply. If I can help with anything please ask...First time on here so this was meant to be today xx

Thank you for your lovely words, and I'm sorry to hear what you have experienced. 

I can't say anything like that to my stepdad because he just starts crying and goes in a huff, then gets super depressed and starts saying horrible stuff about not beind here etc. so it's always best I just smile and nod. 

My mum is due to come home tomorrow and we'll need to rearrange the front room into a bedroom for her so it's easier for her. My stepdad has been going on about it as if he's the one that needs to do it, he's the one that'll be comforting her and whatever else. 

I'll just cross the bridge when it comes. I definitely think letting some of the dogs go to other homes is a good idea as I've already thought of that one. But I highly doubt my stepdad will allow it. He'd find a way to pick on my dog if I brought it up, saying like "well are you going to give up China in that case?", you know like just turning it round? When I love them all... Just China spends all his time with me because 1. he's mine and 2. China and his dad don't get on so needs to be separate anyway...

My boyfriends parents have said that I'm free to move in with them, but they wouldn't be able to take China. I wouldn't be able to leave my stepdad anyway, it'd be super selfish of me knowing he'd struggle and just decline mentally. 

I'm so so stuck... I know exactly how I would like to go on without my mum, but it's basically impossible for me.