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Usually, putting a dog down is mercy. We have a dog with Degenerative Myelopathy. He is happy but can barely keep his butt in the air. I've been pushing my wife to let him go, and give him release. She isn't ready and she will never be truely ready. How could you be?
But a dog that can't, run, jump, play or go on walks? The dog needs to go, he might be happy to see you of course....but will never be able to do what dogs love.
I put my girl down a year and a half ago. She was an eight year old rottie that loved life, Loved kids and loved me. She had cancer growing in her brain/snout that was making her angry, agitated and a danger to others. Could I have waited a month or two longer? Maybe, but she wasn't happy anymore so it was time. I paid for an autopsy because I wanted to know, the cancer was everywhere in her skull/ muzzle taking up 1/5th the brain cavity.
Holding onto her for longer was unfair to the years of happiness she gave me. In the end I couldn't be selfish and had to let her go. So maybe try that route with your wife? It was the hardest decision I ever made and I cried all the way to the vet and thought about turning around a couple of times.