Dog owners love to spoil their pets - from buying them new toys to allowing them to sleep in their bed. But a woman has been left feeling "broken" after her 25-year-old boyfriend ridiculed her for throwing a party to celebrate her dog's fourth birthday.
Hurt by her boyfriend's reaction, she has taken to Reddit to "gather her thoughts" and seek advice on whether she should end her relationship with him. She said: "I have loved dogs ever since I was younger, but my parents never wanted one so I had to wait until I could get one by myself.
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Moment RF)"When I graduated, I got my pug Bob and I love him a lot. Every year I have a small party for Bob on his birthday. For the last three years I've invited my parents, brother and my best friend.
"I invite them because it's a nice occasion to meet up and Bob spends time around them and enjoys their company."
But this year, for his fourth birthday, she also invited her boyfriend of eight months, James, and her two new friends who own three pugs and a golden retriever.
"James and I went out for drinks with some of his friends, and Bob came up in conversation and I told them about the party," she added.
"I just said that I invite my family over and give Bob presents which his friends responded positively too.
"James immediately became quiet and acted aloof for the rest of the night, which I really had no idea why until we got back to my place. We don't live together but he stays at mine every weekend.
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GETTY)"I asked him what was wrong and he kind of blew up saying why I felt the need to embarrass him in front of his friends.
"I told him I didn't know he was embarrassed and he responded 'You knew exactly what you were doing.'
"This annoyed me because I'm not a manipulative person, and it hurts he seems to think I am.
"We dropped the subject until the night before the party when I was baking a cake, using a dog recipe so safe for dogs, for Bob.
"James asked me what I was doing and when I told him he started laughing but when he found out I was serious, he freaked out.
"He told me that I was insane and that I didn't care about Bob's wellbeing, and it was too much for a single dog to eat.
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Getty Images/iStockphoto)"I told him it was also for the other dogs that were coming, at this point he was just staring at me and said that he worried for my mental health."
With that, James stormed out of the house and didn't show up to the party the following day, which put a "downer" on the day for the 23-year-old woman.
She added: "The party was still a success - everyone had a good time and Bob was super happy.
"I felt kind of upset the whole day and was annoyed because I usually enjoy myself but I tried not to let it show."
But it was after she uploaded pictures of her dog's special day on Facebook when she seriously began to question her relationship with her boyfriend.
He tagged another woman in her photo gallery in an attempt to mock her for throwing a party for her pet.
"I'm feeling so upset as I really imagined a future with him and he's being nasty when previously he's been nothing but kind," she said.
"A couple of my friends say that he shouldn't of had that reaction but some say that I should forget about it and not break up with someone over a dog.
"I love Bob and would break up immediately with someone who treated him badly, didn't respect him. But previous to this he's been amazing with Bob, I just don't know what to do."
While most users urged her to break up with him, others asked her whether she would ever trust him again after he publicly "bashed" her on Facebook.
One user said: "I think a dog birthday party is stupid so I wouldn't spend money on one myself. But heaven forbid my wife wanted to throw one I would be all for it.
"I wouldn't feel like helping plan it or set it up but I certainly wouldn't talk s*** about it. Chilling with some close friends drinking beer and watching some silly dogs try to eat a doggie cake is harmless fun. His reaction is vile.
"The fact that he tagged some random Facebook girl to shame you is icing on this cake. He is a jerk. I won't say end the relationship over something like this but I have a feeling that even if it is the first time it has happened, it won't be the last. "
Another user added: "It's not like you were asking him to help you with the party. You were doing something that brought you joy and if someone cares about you, they shouldn't be putting you down for that.
"This kind of meanness in your boyfriend is not something I think will be resolved and if you stick it out it will manifest itself in other ways too. Get out now. You guys weren't meant to be."
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.