We have been married for nearly 30 years. A few years ago she left me for another man (a work colleague) but I took her back after a year. The love had gone out of our marriage for me by then.but I had missed her company.
I felt that she didn't respect me any more, i suffered with depression and she worked really hard to earn the money to keep the house and everything going. I worked as well but didn't earn as much because I did fewer hours
We got a dog, then another and another. We both wanted them but it was mad, really. The dogs took my place in any affection she'd ever had for me. If they wanted to sit on the settee where I was sitting, she told me to move. She wanted the dogs to sleep on our bed and I didn't so she said I had to sleep in the other room, which I did.
I stopped wanting to make love and she wasn't bothered anyway. That was twelve years ago.
Now our last dog has died and she has started being affectionate towards me, touching me (not sexually) as though she's suddenly realised I'm still there and she can pet me instead.
However I cringe when she touches me. I still like her company mostly and I'm fond of her, but I find her very irritating now.
I'm 63, I've got one or two great mates and I just want to leave.