Hi Ruth,

I am in a similar life space and had to put down, as they say, my sweet Lab a few weeks ago.. Its agonizing and painful. I immediately went into guilt. Her life was a battle in a lot of ways as I’m thinking your experience was. What I read on line saved me from complete self loathing and I am able to cope better. But many people outlined how our job (especially for a rescue) as a dog owner was the very health and welfare of these domestic friends. Perhaps we don’t give ourselves enough credit for the good jobs that we so willingly do. Irregardless the pet passes – did we feed it right, pick the best vet. Walk it or play enough. Obviously there is any combination that might have made the friend stick around longer. Or one combination. More money less denials – you get the idea. I have to doubt my pet would have agreed. But knowing she didn’t really want to die makes it impossible to avoid guilt. So guilt or not- right or wrong- celebrate the good times. The guilt will just aggravate all the other issues.