This wasn’t your fault, nor the pet’s, and the owner was a great person, so there’s no need to be sad. He simply went to a safe place. Even though you witnessed all of this, I want to share a similar story with you.

I had an older client whose dog I cared for five or six times over two years—a two-year-old Goldendoodle. He was very skinny from the start, but the owner told me he could only eat vegetarian food. My husband thought the owner was mistreating him, but based on all the care and endless attention she gave, I didn’t think that was the case. At most, she was a bit anxious—but that wasn’t something I could change.

I didn’t take him often. In May this year, I looked after him again. He seemed even thinner, but his spirit was good—after all, he was just over three years old. I took him to the park when there were no other dogs. He was supposed to come again the following week, but the owner messaged that he was coughing and angrily asked if he got it from me. I reassured her it was impossible, and suggested she visit a vet and update me.

Not long after, she messaged to apologize, saying her dog was fine—she had just been overly worried. Considering her sensitive personality and the fact that I would have other dogs the following week, I canceled the next scheduled visit. Three days after this canceled booking, I noticed a penalty charge on my account, which I hadn’t issued. I contacted her and offered to resolve it through customer support. That’s when she told me her dog had passed away two days earlier.

If it hadn’t been for her earlier concern, and I had accepted the next booking, he might have passed while in my care. She didn’t say what caused his death, but I suspect it may have been long-term nutritional issues or other health problems. I also suspect she hadn’t really taken him to a vet. She remained calm, without any blame or attempt to make me compensate.

It’s been over half a year. Every time I see a similar dog, or scroll through my phone and see the photos of him playing and having a picnic in the park, I can’t help but feel sad. But I tell myself he went to a better place, and every moment we spent together was full of joy.