It's fine to be kind to your friend, but don't allow her to treat you like that, OP. You can tell her that you understand it's a difficult and painful time with the dog's health declining and her first born heading off to college but her reaction to and treatment of you was wrong and not reflective of the friend you've been. Tell her to give you a call when she's regained some levity.

Anonymous wrote:She's freaking out because one of the kids is leaving the nest. She can't deal with that so she is transferring all the emotion onto the poor dog.

She is in grief mode and also changing stages of life mode. And temporarily lost her mind. Be kind. This too shall pass.

+1. She's having a hard time letting go of the dog at the same time she is letting go of her first child. I don't think she is just transferring emotion - I think it has just made saying goodbye to the dog that much more painful.

She's freaking out because one of the kids is leaving the nest. She can't deal with that so she is transferring all the emotion onto the poor dog.

She is in grief mode and also changing stages of life mode. And temporarily lost her mind. Be kind. This too shall pass.

Anonymous wrote:Look, Joe, Janet lashed out at me for even bringing it up. I think this one is beyond my pay grade. Do you think the vet could convince her? Maybe a professional opinion would help.

NP

The husband can speak with the vet and then schedule an appointment for the dog to be checked etc. and when there.....

If I were the OP I would use what you suggested here.

Very good!

Anonymous wrote:The reason your friend got so upset is because she knows you're right. She doesn't have the balls to put the dog down so she is hiding behind the "kids won't let her" schtick.

You didn't say anything wrong. Your friend is temporarily crazy. Do not take it upon yourself to talk your friend into putting her dog down. It's her husband's responsibility to get the VET to talk his wife into putting the dog down.

Yep, the old inaccurate, but commonly quoted, Methinks thou dost protest too much.

Poor dog. Poor husband.