Man Can’t Believe His Wife Went Behind His Back To Put Down Their Suffering Old Dog

Often, people have deep connections with their pets—after all, even though it’s an animal of a different species, the mutual connection can run deep. Sadly, pets usually live way shorter lives than their owners, leading people to experience the grief of losing such a beloved family member.

In fact, sometimes people refuse to acknowledge that their pet’s time on this Earth has run its course and try to elongate it as much as possible. The OP’s husband had trouble dealing with that. So, the woman decided to take matters into her own hands and relieve their pet of their suffering, which caused her husband to lose his mind.

More info: Reddit

While wanting to help your ill pet is a normal reaction, sometimes it’s important to acknowledge that letting them go is the most humane choice

A woman with curly hair lovingly holds a small dog on a beige sofa, highlighting emotional support and hope.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

A couple’s 16-year-old dog’s health started declining rapidly to the point where the pet was basically immobile

Text message about euthanizing a dog without husband's knowledge, discussing emotional distress and decision-making.

Text about adopting a Chihuahua mix puppy, named Baby Grinch, by a couple right after their marriage.

Text about a dog adopted 16 years ago and her health declining.

Text discussing a vet appointment recommending euthanasia due to severe health issues in a dog.

Text describing a woman's struggle over a dying dog's suffering as her husband clings to hope.

A small dog being comforted with a gentle hand, symbolizing hope and compassion.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The vets said that the best thing the couple could do was euthanize a dog, releasing it from its pain, but the couple chose to get a treatment first instead

Text about a vet recommending euthanasia for a dying dog, Baby Grinch, while the husband disagrees.

Text about letting go of a beloved dying dog named Baby Grinch.

Text discussing a dog's suffering and lack of quality of life.

Text recounting emotional arguments over euthanizing a dying dog, reflecting differing views between a woman and her husband.

Text from a story about a woman ending her dying dog's suffering despite her husband's denial.

Text describing a dog's suffering, care, and husband clinging to hope, feeding through a syringe while waiting.

Text on image: He would pick her up and carry her around the house. He would hold her while she had seizures.

Text about a woman ending her dying dog's suffering by taking it to the vet, while her husband clings to hope.

Text message about a woman ending a dog's suffering at the vet, while the husband opposes the decision.

Text discussing a woman's difficult decision to end her dying dog's suffering, facing her husband's grief and anger.

Text expressing the relief felt when a dying dog's suffering ends peacefully at the vet office.

Text expressing a woman's feelings of guilt after ending her dying dog's suffering, contrasting with her husband's hope.

Text from a Reddit post about a woman ending her dying dog's suffering, expressing her love and distress.

A woman is comforted by a man while she expresses distress, highlighting a conflict over a dying dog's suffering.

Image credits: jet-po / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Sadly, the treatment was fruitless — instead of improving the animal’s life, it only prolonged its suffering, but the husband still insisted on continuing it and not getting euthanasia

Text expressing gratitude during a difficult time in dealing with a dying dog's suffering.

Text reading 'To clear up some confusion:' on a white background.

Text screenshot about a woman discussing a decision regarding her dying dog.

Text about a woman ending her dog's suffering while her husband clings to hope.

Text detailing a dog named Baby Grinch's deterioration, and efforts to find a solution with her husband.

A woman's perspective on euthanasia for a dying pet, while her husband hopes for recovery.

Text describing a difficult decision regarding a dog's suffering and prioritizing its best interests.

Text about woman ending dog's suffering while husband hoped.

Text expressing heartbreak over a dying dog's suffering, highlighting emotional trauma experienced.

Text describing a dog's suffering, unable to walk or eat, experiencing pain and seizures, highlighting the need to end suffering.

Text discussing a couple undergoing counseling after a tearful conversation about their actions and mutual hurt.

Thank you message expressing gratitude and love for support.

Image credits: throwitallaway098776

Not being able to see her beloved pet suffer so much, the woman decided to bring the dog to euthanasia behind her husband’s back so he couldn’t stop her

Around 16 years ago, the OP and her husband adopted an 8-week chihuahua, who they named Baby Grinch. 

Now, all these years later, sadly, the dog’s health has been steadily declining. Depending on various factors, a chihuahua’s life span is somewhere between 14 and 16 years. So, knowing how old their dog is, the declining health is no surprise, but it doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking. 

In the case of the original poster’s pet, the dog started to have trouble walking, seizures, and not having enough energy even to lift a head. When they took it to the vet, they found the dog was struggling with very serious health issues, and they could either medicate it or euthanize it. 

Usually, euthanasia is recommended in incurable cases when letting the pet cross the rainbow bridge is the most humane way to let them go from their suffering. Yet, since it leads to people losing their beloved pet, quite often, they try out everything else to avoid this decision. The couple from today’s story is no different.

Sadly, the treatment only managed to elongate the pet’s life but not improve its health. The dog was still deteriorating right in front of its owner’s eyes. 

So, the woman realized that the only humane thing to do was put the doggie down. It was clearly struggling every second of its life so much that you can barely even call such existence life – it was just suffering. 

She started talking to her husband about such a possibility, but every time she did, he would shoot her down. Even when vets told him the same thing, he still refused such a choice. 

A gloved hand gently holds a dog's paw, symbolizing ending a pet's suffering.

Image credits: dmytro_sidelnikov / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Of course, his persistence is understandable – it’s hard to let go of a pet you loved so much for so long – Baby Grinch was basically the couple’s baby. After all, the grief an individual experiences from losing a pet is not that much different from the loss of a person. 

At the same time, sometimes it’s important to acknowledge that the best thing you can do for your pet is to let them go, especially in situations like this, when an animal experiences nothing but suffering. 

So, the OP decided to take matters into her own hands and bring Baby Grinch to euthanasia herself. She did it while her husband was at work, informing him right before it happened so he could say goodbye. Instead of doing so, he exploded – begged the wife not to do it, cursing her for such a plan and things like that, you can probably imagine. 

She still did it, which resulted in quite a rift in their marriage. In fact, it even went to the point of him threatening divorce. So, the woman came online to ask whether she was such a terrible person for doing what she did. 

Well, according to the netizens, she isn’t—as we already acknowledged, the dog was severely suffering, so easing its pain was the best thing that could’ve been done. In fact, they pointed out that the man was acting selfishly by not letting the dog go. 

What do you think? Was the OP’s action justified? How would you have approached such a situation? Share your takes in the comments!

This caused the man to explode on her, but in netizens’ eyes, she did the right thing by letting her pet go, as her husband’s stance was a selfish one

Reddit thread discussing a woman ending her dog's suffering while her husband hoped for recovery.

Reddit comment discussing a woman's decision to end her suffering dog’s life, prioritizing pet well-being.

Reddit comment discussing a woman ending her dying dog's suffering, husband clings to hope, calling her decision right.

Emotional story about relieving a dying pet's suffering despite hope for recovery.

Reddit comment criticizing a husband for prolonging a dying dog's suffering.

Comment about a difficult choice regarding a dying dog, expressing frustration and desire for comfort.

Screenshot of a comment supporting a woman for ending her dying dog's suffering despite husband's feelings.

Discussion about a woman ending her dog's suffering and her husband's feelings of betrayal.

Reddit comment discussing euthanasia decision for a suffering dog amidst family disagreement.

Online comment supporting a woman's decision to end her dog's suffering, criticizing her husband for objecting.

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