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176
Guy Comes Back After Trip And Gets News Wife Euthanized His 12YO Dog, Is Beyond Livid
There are millions of heartbreaking things in the world, and losing a pet is one of them. However, losing them without a chance to say goodbye? That’s a whole different kind of heartbreak.
Today’s Original Poster (OP) is struggling to process his emotions after returning from a work trip just to find out that his wife put down their dog while he was away.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
It can feel like a punch in the gut when someone makes a decision about a matter that directly affects you without your consent
Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The author’s dog had been with him through thick and thin for over ten years and was slowing down a bit
Image credits: PeterGibb832
Image credits: kamchatka / Freepik (not the actual photo)
He went for a work trip and left the dog in his wife’s care, but learned his wife had put her down upon his return
Image credits: PeterGibb832
Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
His wife insisted that she had no choice and that she wanted to spare him the pain of seeing his dog suffer
Image credits: PeterGibb832
He was angry and heartbroken because she didn’t inform him before making such a monumental decision
For the OP, his dog wasn’t just a pet; she was family. The golden retriever had been with him for 12 years—longer than his marriage. She was there through life’s ups and downs, and she meant a lot to him. So, when he had to leave for a work trip that would last a week, he trusted his wife to care for the dog, and not to make irreversible decisions behind his back.
The OP noted that the dog wasn’t in obvious distress before he left. She was slowing down, sure, but there was no sign that she was at death’s door. However, when he returned from his trip, he returned to an empty home. No barks, no waiting at the door. But probably nothing could have prepared him for the news he was about to hear.
By the time he asked his wife where their dog was, she admitted to putting her down. According to her, the dog’s condition worsened while the OP was away, and the vet advised euthanasia. His wife insisted she did it out of kindness. Rather than burdening him with the pain of seeing the dog suffer, she made the call herself.
But the OP wasn’t convinced. In fact, he knew his wife had a tendency to overreact, so he was left wondering if she had just overreacted to the dog’s illness. To get answers, the OP called the vet but he didn’t get a response.
Image credits: rawpixel.com / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Pet Honesty shares that the bond between humans and pets is one of the strongest emotional connections in the world, as they offer comfort, reduce stress, and improve mental health. Things that are increasingly important in today’s world. They report that studies have shown that pet owners often experience higher self-esteem, better physical fitness, and lower stress levels.
The OP’s wife claimed that she put the dog down to save her husband the pain of seeing her suffer; however, the Counselling Directory states that one of the major reasons there is a breakdown in communication among couples is due to assumptions. “Making assumptions about the other’s thoughts or intentions can lead to misunderstandings,” they state on their website.
According to coach and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, it is very important for partners to at least consider their spouse when making decisions and not assume they would feel a certain way about a situation. This is what makes for a healthy relationship where there is mutual respect and trust as it strengthens the bond.
In an update, the OP said he had called the vet and wasn’t sure what to think anymore. What do you think about this situation? Do you think the wife was justified in making the decision alone, giving the reason she provided, or should she have consulted her husband first?
Netizens insisted the author’s wife was wrong for putting the dog down without letting him know and even suggested it would be a dealbreaker for them
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What do you think ?
Aidan Pite 9 months ago
When one of my childhood cats needed to take the big rainbow bridge in the sky, my mom called me and gave me the chance to be there with her. I hadn't even lived with her for the better part of 20 years, but I got the chance to spoil her with fancy gravy, and sit with her as she soaked in some sunbeams. I then held her in my arms while she went to sleep. If I had been unable to make it back there to be there for her, that would be one thing. But if my mom had unilaterally made the decision without letting me be there, or even have a single bit of input... I would probably still be trying to figure out if/how to forgive her three years later.
Binky Melnik 9 months ago
Some heartless assholе downvotes you. 🤕 I and your cat are supremely glad you and the gravy got to be there, and that she got to go in your arms rather than on a hardwood floor.
Load More Replies...
Binky Melnik 9 months ago
Still, I can’t believe she didn’t even so much as HINT at the dеath of the dog! This is only a little different from the dеath of a kid, and I like to think she’d have mentioned that in a phone while he was out of town rather than springing it on him when he got home. Dеaths are a big deal whether it’s an animal or a child, and I’d never be able to happily go out of town again for fear that she might do it again. They need to have a serious discussion about this lest it happens again; let her know that she’s got to at the very least mention when a dog or kid seems unwell so that he can steel himself. When she was at college two hours away, sister’s ancient poodle was ready to diе and my ma was gonna hafta him it put down, but she called my sister who raced home. The dog waited for her to get there, and died in her arms. She was sooo grateful to be able to do that. Same happened with me with my cat: it waited until I got home from the dentist to diе on my lap. We just wanna be there!
Load More Replies...
justme 9 months ago
I agree with the people who said it was probably a sudden emergency. That happened with one of ours. Had an internal growth/tumor or something that burst. No outward sign but his gums suddenly turned white and he lay down and wouldn't get up. He was only 8 years old. It happens fast sometimes. I also wouldn't want to be told if I was on a business trip because I would have a hard time keeping it together the rest of the trip and not getting emotional in an inconvenient time. I think the wife had good intentions and he lashed out because he's sad about his dog.
Lost Panda 9 months ago
Same with my bigger dog. Told her good night and gave her the daily pats and went to bed. Woke up and went to let her out. She did not wake up... She was also 8
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Aidan Pite 9 months ago
When one of my childhood cats needed to take the big rainbow bridge in the sky, my mom called me and gave me the chance to be there with her. I hadn't even lived with her for the better part of 20 years, but I got the chance to spoil her with fancy gravy, and sit with her as she soaked in some sunbeams. I then held her in my arms while she went to sleep. If I had been unable to make it back there to be there for her, that would be one thing. But if my mom had unilaterally made the decision without letting me be there, or even have a single bit of input... I would probably still be trying to figure out if/how to forgive her three years later.
Binky Melnik 9 months ago
Some heartless assholе downvotes you. 🤕 I and your cat are supremely glad you and the gravy got to be there, and that she got to go in your arms rather than on a hardwood floor.
Load More Replies... Binky Melnik 9 months ago
Still, I can’t believe she didn’t even so much as HINT at the dеath of the dog! This is only a little different from the dеath of a kid, and I like to think she’d have mentioned that in a phone while he was out of town rather than springing it on him when he got home. Dеaths are a big deal whether it’s an animal or a child, and I’d never be able to happily go out of town again for fear that she might do it again. They need to have a serious discussion about this lest it happens again; let her know that she’s got to at the very least mention when a dog or kid seems unwell so that he can steel himself. When she was at college two hours away, sister’s ancient poodle was ready to diе and my ma was gonna hafta him it put down, but she called my sister who raced home. The dog waited for her to get there, and died in her arms. She was sooo grateful to be able to do that. Same happened with me with my cat: it waited until I got home from the dentist to diе on my lap. We just wanna be there!
Load More Replies... justme 9 months ago
I agree with the people who said it was probably a sudden emergency. That happened with one of ours. Had an internal growth/tumor or something that burst. No outward sign but his gums suddenly turned white and he lay down and wouldn't get up. He was only 8 years old. It happens fast sometimes. I also wouldn't want to be told if I was on a business trip because I would have a hard time keeping it together the rest of the trip and not getting emotional in an inconvenient time. I think the wife had good intentions and he lashed out because he's sad about his dog.
Lost Panda 9 months ago
Same with my bigger dog. Told her good night and gave her the daily pats and went to bed. Woke up and went to let her out. She did not wake up... She was also 8
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