[AITA] My wife put down our dog without telling me while I was out of town
A husband (38M) returned from a week-long work trip only to find that his wife (36F) had put their 12-year-old golden retriever, Bella, down while he was away.
Before leaving, the husband noted Bella was slowing down due to old age but did not believe she was in immediate critical condition. Upon arrival, the husband was shocked to learn the decision had already been made without his input or knowledge. He became angry, feeling robbed of the chance to say goodbye to a deeply important companion.
This has created a major conflict, leaving the husband questioning if his strong reaction is justified or if he is being unreasonable in his expectation that his wife should have consulted him first.
![[AITA] My wife put down our dog without telling me while I was out of town](https://pb.ankitchaurasia.com/api/files/reddit_posts/xiqr8je69hrv3hv/featured_img_vlj1cll9bw.png)
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The original poster (OP) is currently experiencing profound grief mixed with anger, feeling that his wife overstepped a crucial boundary by making a unilateral decision about a shared family member, regardless of her intention to prevent suffering.
The core conflict lies between the OP's need for shared decision-making and saying goodbye, versus the wife's perceived need to act swiftly to alleviate the pet's pain.
The situation forces a debate on whether spousal consent is mandatory for end-of-life decisions concerning pets, especially when one spouse is absent, or if the acting spouse has the authority to proceed based on immediate veterinary advice and compa*sionate concern for the animal's comfort.
Is the OP right to demand prior consultation, or was the wife justified in acting alone given the circumstances?
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