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.

💜 Listen now and take the first step toward releasing guilt and finding peace.

🔗 Resources & Links:
🎧 Listen to The Pet Loss Companion Podcast
📖 Read T

Comment on this episode! For questions or if you need a reply- please email us at Amy@StarlightPetTalk.com

Starting Sunday, April 27, 2025, we’re switching things up—new episodes will now drop every Sunday instead of Tuesday!

Why the change? Because Sundays just feel better. Quieter mornings, fewer midweek distractions, and a better chance to catch up with your favorite pet podcast (aka us 😎).

Set your alarms (or don’t—we’ll be waiting patiently like a well-trained Golden Retriever 🐾) every Sunday morning starting at 8AM EST / 7AM CST.

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Thanks for listening to Muddy Paws and Hairballs, your go-to resource for all things pet care. From dog training, behavior, and socialization to cat enrichment, pet adoption, and tackling behavior problems, we provide expert advice and real talk to help you create a happy, healthy life with your pets. Whether you're dealing with dog anxiety, looking for puppy training tips, or exploring enrichment ideas for your cat, we've got you covered. Be sure to check out all our episodes!