Hi WH, My dog that my W took is not doing at all well either. When we lived together it seemed she cared more about him than me OR her kids! Now, he is losing weight, tearing up her home and can't stand being alone. She has actually resorted to putting him in a small crate when she isn't home which would be fine if she had been doing that all along. He is an old dog and it will be hard to try and crate train him now, near the end of his life. It's so sad. The MLC just can't think of anyone or anything but them!
I would look into the having to "make" a teenager go with the other parent. There must be some way that the courts can take their wishes into account. Also, if he moves out of state, the state court can't make you send them across state lines. What are you supposed to do if a 15 or 16 year old says they just won't go? Tie them up? Seems like that isn't something that can just be done or that can be "blamed" on the custodial parent! What would happen if there was abuse of some kind? How can you be forced to send your kids into a situation that is bad for them? I don't know the laws in your state for sure but I would have a long talk with my lawyer and see what, if anything, can be done on that front. That really seems awful and counter to what is best for the kids!
