Spouse Refusing Husband's Demands To Euthanize Old Dog Sparks Fierce Debate

A woman is refusing to get rid of her elderly dog despite her "poor quality of life" and her husband's disapproval.

In a post shared on the popular discussion site Mumsnet, user Alfredo674 explains her husband wants to get rid of their 13-year-old terrier cross rescue dog.

She explains: "A few months ago she was having a lot of issues with diarrhea and causing a lot of mess in the house. We have a very young child and I put measures in place to try and sort her tummy problems."

She continues to explain their dog now sleeps in a crate overnight as she is intermittently sick despite seeing a vet and eating different food.

"This morning she had pooed in the crate but it had spilled out onto the floor, so while he sorted our child out for the nursery, I had to clean up this huge mess whilst I should have been expressing milk before my newborn twins woke up," she said.

Following this incident, the husband is keen for the dog to go to a shelter, be euthanized, or be rehomed.

She added: "He says the dog has to go, so as not to drip feed. We had another elderly dog previously that I refused to get it put down despite massive incontinence issues and dementia, when he finally went, it was such a relief. My darling husband says he won't go through it again. In fairness, he is the one who walks her although we are struggling to get her walked every day at the moment."

Despite the dog's problems, the original poster doesn't want to get rid of her as a "dog is a lifelong commitment."

Saying goodbye to a pet is never easy as they become a part of the family. Magazine Dogs Best Life encourages owners to create a checklist to determine if it's time to let go of their furry friend who may be suffering.

When a dog gets old, its health declines but sometimes with the right medication, it can continue to be itself, although a drastic change in behavior may suggest something more sinister.

Other things to look out for is drinking and eating habits, whining and crying and the dog's overall attitude to day-to-day activities such as walks and playing.

Over 165 people have commented on the thread since it was posted on September 22.

One user agreed with the husband: "I dislike dogs, personally ... I'm not really a dog person. I think if you are then it's hard to get rid of them, as you grow attached.

"However, you cannot keep a dog alive if it is suffering from dementia, that is borderline animal cruelty, and it's only to make you feel better, certainly not the dog. I think you're being unreasonable, not your darling husband."

Another wrote: "This is so tough. You are absolutely not being U to want to keep your dog, but it sounds like you're very busy right now and has your hands full with family and young children, which sounds very intense, even without the challenges of looking after an unwell and elderly dog.

"I guess it partly comes down to whether you feel you have enough time to give your dog a good life. It really shows in your OP that you love her and she sounds very well cared for, but are you going to be able to care for her whilst bringing up very young children and making time for your own needs and darling husband?"

Said another: "A dog is a lifetime commitment. Your dog may be approaching the end of that life. From past experience, my regret has been in waiting too long to put a pet to sleep, not in doing it too early. Holding on to your own needs isn't kind. So the question at hand should be is your dog happy?"

Newsweek was not able to verify the details of the case.