Sylvester Stallone has debunked claims of his 25-year-old marriage ending because of his dog. TMZ had reported that Stallone’s wife, Jennifer Flavin, filed for divorce because they fought over a new Rottweiler named Dwight.

It was alleged that while Flavin didn’t want another pet, Stallone wanted the dog for “protection” and this led to an “extremely heated argument that brought up other issues.”

The actor has however denied the claim, adding that he and his wife of 25 years are just going “in different directions.”

76-year-old Stallone said; “We did not end the relationship on such a trivial argument. “I have the highest respect for Jennifer. I will always love her. She’s an amazing woman.

She’s the nicest human being I’ve ever met.” He also cleared up the air regarding a tattoo of Flavin that he covered up with a portrait of Dwight.

“The Expendables” star explained that he wanted to “freshen” up his Flavin inking but “it got messed up and the dog was just a fix will no ill intention,” before adding that he still has a tattoo of his estranged wife on his back.

The couple first began dating in 1988, when Flavin was a 19-year-old model and Stallone was 42 and twice divorced.

After an on-again-off-again relationship, the pair married in 1997 and share three daughters, Sophia, Sistine and Scarlet.