Most people will experience a period of denial, refusing to believe the pet is dying or has died. Denial is usually the strongest when there is little time for acceptance, such as with an accident or short-term illness. For pets facing imminent death, many people will try to make a deal with God, themselves, or even the pet, in a desperate attempt to deter fate. In frustration, anger may be directed at anyone involved with the pet, including friends, family, veterinarians, and even the pet owner himself. Blame directed at oneself can often lead to guilt.
Guilt is probably the most common emotion resulting from the death of a companion animal.
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.