Dear Abby: Im in love with the much younger man I dog sit for

DEAR ABBY: A man I know has been married for 40 years.His wife gets mad at him for small things and stops talking to him for three to four months at a time.

Also, he will make her supper, and she’ll make something else.Or she will make supper and quickly put it in the refrigerator.

They leave very brief notes about where they are going.During long rides, no words are spoken.

If company or their kids or grandchildren come, she puts plates of food out for everyone but him.Then, the switch flips and it’s a great normal marriage again — with sex and everything else for three or four months.Then it happens again.

This has been going on for most of their marriage.But it used to be shorter periods of time — two or three weeks — which I think is also too long to not speak.

They have grown kids who come home and haven’t noticed most of it. When this man confronts his wife during these stretches, she refuses to talk about it.I believe she must be bipolar.

A nephew of hers has been diagnosed with it and is being treated.Her husband is ready to divorce her even though he still loves her.

He’s not sure what to do.Please advise.

— LOOKING ON IN MINNESOTADEAR LOOKING ON: It is difficult for me to understand why a husband would tolerate the emotional abuse this man has suffered for 40 years.Please tell your friend that my advice is to consult an attorney, describe what has been happening and ask what his alternatives to the status quo may be.

Then he should tell his children the truth about his marriage and inform his wife that he will no longer tolerate the way he has been treated.He should also tell his wife that unless she gets professional help for her problem, he’s leaving.DEAR ABBY: I am a dog sitter in my 70s who has been taking care of a dog for the last five years.

Her owner is a nice young man who is well mannered and polite.We have had a good relationship.A few months ago, he started seeing a lovely young woman, and I am feeling jealous and ...