Still Feeling Guilty After Losing a Pet? Here’s Why

Muddy Paws and Hairballs

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Did I wait too long? Did I do the right thing? What if I failed them?
If you’ve lost a beloved pet, you’ve probably asked yourself these same painful questions. Grief is hard enough, but guilt can make healing feel impossible.
I’ve been there too. When I had to say goodbye to our 34-year-old rescue horse, Cherokee, I was overwhelmed with guilt, even with decades of rescue experience behind me. If you’ve ever struggled with that same inner dialogue, you’re not alone.
In this episode, I sit down with grief experts Ken Dolan-DelVecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez, hosts of The Pet Loss Companion podcast and co-authors of The Pet Loss Companion book. We’re diving deep into the emotional minefield of guilt after pet loss and how to find peace again.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

Why guilt is a natural part of grieving and what helps us move through it
How “perfect timing” is an illusion and why it always feels off
What self-forgiveness really looks like and how to stop replaying what-ifs

If you’ve questioned your decisions after saying goodbye to a pet, this episode will help you take the first step toward healing. Grief is love with nowhere to go—and you don’t have to carry it alone.
When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode.
Follow me for more support, heartfelt conversations, and practical ways to navigate life with pets.

CONNECT WITH KEN DOLAN-DELVECCHIO & NANCY SAXTON-LOPEZ:
Listen: The Pet Loss Companion Podcast
Read: The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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Chapters

1. Guilt After Losing a Pet (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Ken and Nancy, Pet Loss Experts (00:01:32)

3. Why Euthanasia Decisions Are So Difficult (00:04:35)

4. The Gray Areas of End-of-Life Decisions (00:10:03)

5. Dealing With Guilt and Self-Judgment (00:17:37)

6. Finding Support After Pet Loss (00:34:11)

7. Meaningful Ways to Memorialize Pets (00:43:37)

8. Moving Forward: One Step at a Time (00:51:18)

117 episodes

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