Renter Damage - Use some quick advice

[Scott Wilson]

Probably covered before in BP... but it's me and it's personal now ;) Ha! I've seen people say "eat the damage" and "take it outta their deposit"... wattaya think?

If I don't keep part or all of my renter's deposit, my wife will take away all my man points!  We rented our furnished personal home for 12 months and just moved back in. These floors are engineered hand scraped and cannot easily be sanded/re-stained.  Original cost was $12000 or so, and most (80% at least) looks like this.  Renter calls them normal wear (since they have an indoor dog). 

Maybe I was naive, but I think this is excessive and should be covered by their main (one months rent) deposit.  I took $1000 as a non-refundable pet deposit explicitly for replacement of carpet (due to wife's allergies).  But the floors are not called out in the lease just general damage. 

OK experts... give me your best advice... I can take it!  Thanks so much.  No pressure but my marriage is on the line and I rather like sleeping indoors!!  ;0)