I thought my husband would love our puppy but I couldn’t have imagined what would happen

DEAR DEIDRE: I WAS excited to bring home a new puppy, but my partner was furious and now he won’t talk to me.

He says I should have consulted him and that it shows I don’t care about his feelings. He even said we should split up because we don’t understand each other.

After ten years together, I can’t believe our relationship is falling apart over a dog. I’m 45 and he’s 47.

He knows I’ve always wanted a dog, and now my kids have left home I have been feeling lonely when he’s at work.

So when I saw an ad online offering puppies for sale, I rang up straight away.

When I went to see the dogs, I fell in love with one of the litter – a gorgeous black and white Border Collie.

That evening, when my husband came home and saw the puppy, he went mad.

He didn’t even stroke the poor little thing. After that, he moved into the spare room and stopped talking to me.

I’m seeing a side to him I’ve never seen before, and I’m hurt and upset. There’s no way I’m taking the pooch back. I’ve already fallen in love.

But I also don’t want to lose my partner over “dog gate”. What should I do?

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s understandable that you fell in love with the puppy and didn’t wait to consult your partner.

However, he is entitled to be annoyed that you didn’t discuss it with him first.

After all, getting a puppy is a big commitment and your partner has to live with the dog too.

But the fact he’s become so angry and is refusing to sleep in the same bed as you, suggests the puppy is not the only issue.

He is clearly unhappy about something. I also wonder if you ever told him how lonely you felt.

Do try talking to him again. I also think you could benefit from some relationship counselling. Find support via tavistockrelationships.org (020 7380 1960).

If your partner won’t join you, you could start alone. My support pack on Counselling has more details.