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.

CONNECT WITH KEN DOLAN-DELVECCHIO & NANCY SAXTON-LOPEZ

• Join Ken's Pet Loss and Healing Support Group
• The Pet Loss Companion Podcast
• The Pet Loss Companion Book

PS: If you hear us mention Muddy Paws and Hairballs, that was before we shifted our focus to what really matters: helping you thrive as a pet parent. Same host, sharper mission. 

Support the show

Love the show? Share it with a pet parent living with chaos and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review so more can get the pet parent advice they need.

Please take our quick listener survey: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/ZbaTzF

Follow:🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Pet parenting is tough, but this show delivers expert pet advice and solutions for real pet parenting struggles. Each week, we share pet care on a budget tips and pet saving hacks to help you stretch every dollar, whether it’s pet cost hacks for vet bills and pet food, or simple ways to make training and daily care easier. You’ll get dog training and behavior advice, cat care insights, and practical pet advice for everything from litter box issues to keeping multi-pet homes peaceful. We cover pet budgeting, managing pet behavior, stress-free vet visits, and home cleaning that actually works with pets. Follow for the support you need to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying life with pets.

Contact: [email protected] ©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro