My dog had cancer, and I lost him last Wednesday. I feel guilty because my boyfriend is making me feel like I waited too long to put him down. The main issue was his breathing; it was harder, but the vets never said it was time for euthanasia. He was eating, drinking, and wanting walks and playtime. However, my boyfriend keeps making me feel guilty about his heavy breathing. Two days before he passed, his breathing worsened, but he still ate dinner and was his usual self. On Monday, he didn’t eat breakfast, which I thought was odd, but he still seemed okay. Then on Tuesday, he started drooling a lot and didn’t want to eat human food, which was unusual for him. I considered taking him to the ER that night to evaluate him and see about euthanasia. The vet said his breathing wasn’t normal but his heart sounded okay. We brought him home, but by 11 PM, he was worse. I felt like he was telling us he was done, but I couldn’t bear to let him go that night. I regret not euthanizing him Tuesday night because by Wednesday, he was unconscious an hour before the at-home euthanasia service arrived. My boyfriend says I was wrong and should have put him down sooner. I feel like my grief is amplified by this guilt. I need to know if I did the wrong thing and how to deal with this guilt.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s clear you loved your dog and wanted the best for him. You did what you thought was right based on his quality of life. It’s hard to make these decisions when they’re still showing signs of wanting to be with you.
You weren’t wrong for wanting to keep him with you as long as he was showing signs of life and happiness. The guilt can be overwhelming, but it sounds like you were trying to do what was best for him.
I had a similar experience with my dog. It’s normal to second-guess your decisions after losing a pet. Trust that you did what you thought was right at the time.
It’s heartbreaking to lose a pet. Remember, you were trying to give him the best life possible. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for that.
Grief can be tough, especially with added guilt. Talk it out with someone who understands, and allow yourself to feel those emotions. You loved him, and that’s what matters most.