***So this uncared-for animal, which had not been seen for a year, nor played with, nor indeed fed, was in fact dead for that year, after being on off absent for several years beforehand.
As no one in your clan cared regarding the animals welfare, your neighbour had the poor thing put down when her time came.
You've only just found out about this, a year later, as none of you cared.
Now you are angry at yourself for not caring, and seek to transfer your blame and shame to your neighbour who took ultimate responsibility for the animal and had it safely and painlessly disposed of.
***may be a slight sarcastic exptarpolation of what occurred, or might be the truth from the third edge of the sword.