As the pet s primary caretaker, all decisions regarding care are the pet owner s responsibility. When the pet dies, the owner often feels guilty about actions taken or not taken, even about things that happened before the pet became ill. The most attentive caretaker may feel he or she should have somehow done more. But we all do our best with the information, knowledge, and resources available to us. It is important to try not to second-guess the decisions you made along the way, and to remember that you tried to act in you pet s best interest.
Depression can indicate the start of acceptance.
It is normal to withdraw and contemplate the meaning of the relationship in solitude. Deep and lasting despondency, however, requires professional help. Now is the time to remember the good times. The daily reminders become a little less painful. You find you can now start to think about the future.