Really, this happens often in a divorce??? Maybe only if someone is sick (in mind, or physically). This is NOT okay. She could have at least given you the option of taking the dogs. This is a cruel act. Something is wrong with any person who’d put down a pet for no reason, and yes, when we take them in, we’re committing. Sure, sometimes people have circumstances when they can’t keep a pet, but they at least try to give them away. I am sorry that this happened to you and that you probably still feel bad about it, but you just didn’t know. Sometime when we have regrets, we forget the emotional dynamics in the situation at the time, and that we did the best we could with the knowledge we had. Your daughter also clearly knew it was wrong because she hated to tell you. If you take the love in your heart and use it toward other pets and people, then you’ll be spreading the love your dogs gave you, and that you gave back. Happy holidays. Thanks for writing this.