It was super hard for us to put down our golden. He was the best dog on earth but suffering terribly with no available relief. My husband keeps the stiff upper lip in life - always and hadled it like a boy scout with me.
But now he will not get another dog. I know it is because the dog would die before him and he’d have to do it again. Love is delightful and deeply painful, too. If I die before him, he won’t get a new wife. :)
I hope he’ll change his mind. It won’t be the same but ... Our daughter took the decision from us. Forced me to go with her to find another lab from lab rescue.
Fortunately, Bubba was near death from neglect and abuse and required a LOT of care. That kind of rescued my husband. He was only two but, unfortunately that was 9 years ago.