It won't ruin the floor permanently though it would make it more work to refinish. However, it sounds like it's beyond refinishing anyway. Getting deep water or urine stains out can be all but impossible.
Isn't that what the flooring guys have already told you? If you prep it properly and use paint intended for a floor, a painted floor can last quite well and won't be any more slippery than most other floor surfaces.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.