Thanks for all of the responses so far everyone. I really appreciate the time you've all put into reading my post and responding.

As per my post, I do admit that I most certainly do have my own insecurities, and have made significant strides towards dealing with them over the past decade with the help of two very good professionals during different stages of my process. I most certainly don't infringe on my girlfriend's freedom, and never would. I don't have any problems with her going out on her own (e.g. crossing the road ;-)), spending time with her friends (male or female), or with her family without me. In fact, I encourage that. We both need our space and our time to ourselves, and we're quite mature about that.

I, personally, have cut all ties with my exes: none of my exes were actually good for me. She's explicitly mentioned how she lost her whole sense of self in being with her ex, and yet still clings to this aspect of her relationship.

I do understand that she has a very strong emotional bond with her dogs, and she does see them as her children. She's also, however, explicitly told me that the dogs were a substitute for emotional intimacy in her previous relationship. Her therapist has explicitly told her to cut all ties with her ex, including giving up the dogs, and she needs to count the real cost of letting go of that relationship and establishing a new life for herself.

It's really hard for me to see through my own anxiety here, but it would seem to me that it would be better for her as well to let go of all ties to her ex.

Unless of course there's something I'm missing here, due to my anxiety?

If it is a case of it'll be (1) ultimately better for her, (2) ultimately better for me, and (3) ultimately better for us for her to let go of the dogs and all ties to the ex, then that's a win all round. But if not, then I know deep down this relationship won't be what's best for the two of us and am willing to let go of it if absolutely necessary. I don't think I can handle whatever emotions these are that keep coming up when she goes to see the ex, and I need to look after myself too (that's one thing I learned the hard way, coming out of an emotionally abusive relationship).