[Crowbob]

If I may, I'll offer a potential path to clarity.

By virtue of the title of your thread, I think your decision has already been made. In my opinion, all things considered, it was the correct decision.

Painful as it is, that pain will wane to near zero over time. In addition, over that same time, the knowledge that you did the right thing will comfort you. For his entire lifetime with you Dexter has given you what he could and you have given to him what you could, leaving you no possibility evermore for regret.