Losing a beloved pet is heartbreaking, but for so many of us, grief is tangled up with guilt. Did I do enough? Was it too soon? Too late? Did I fail them? These thoughts can haunt us, making it even harder to heal.
I know this feeling all too well. When I had to make the devastating decision to euthanize our 34-year-old rescue horse, Cherokee, I found myself overwhelmed with guilt—even after decades of experience in animal rescue. If you’ve ever struggled with these emotions, you’re not alone.
In this episode of Muddy Paws and Hairballs, 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: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups. Together, we’re diving deep into:
🐾 Why guilt is a natural part of grieving—and how we can work through it
🐾 The impossible pressure of “perfect timing” and why it never feels right
🐾 How our deep responsibility for our pets can turn into guilt, even when we make the best choices
🐾 The truth about self-forgiveness and how to stop replaying “what if” scenarios
🐾 Ways to honor and remember our pets in a way that brings peace, not regret
🐾 When to seek extra support if guilt is keeping us stuck in grief
If you’ve ever questioned your decisions after losing a pet, this episode is for you. Grief is proof of love, and learning to forgive ourselves is part of healing. Let’s navigate this journey together.
💜 Watch now and take the first step toward releasing guilt and finding peace.
