My bunny is gone and it's my fault

RIP Peaches
Peaches was my baby and best friend for 5 years and yesterday I killed him. I went out on an errand and didn't make sure my door was closed all the way and either he got out of his room or my dogs got in and he died of a heart attack. I almost fainted when I saw my open door and his body across the hall, I couldn't believe it. I have been nauseous and sobbing since then. I will never forgive myself and would give anything to go back in time and not be so forgetful. He was only 7 and supposed to move to college with me in the fall and I am beyond devastated.
He was the sweetest, most curious bunny there ever was. I love him with all of my heart and I can't believe I'll never see his precious face or pet his soft fur again. We were growing a garden for him with his favorite lettuce. I feel like I can't breathe when I think of how much he trusted me just for me to make a mistake that led to him dying alone and scared. I miss him so much and just want him back but I know that'll never happen

peachesthebunny said:

RIP Peaches
Peaches was my baby and best friend for 5 years and yesterday I killed him. I went out on an errand and didn't make sure my door was closed all the way and either he got out of his room or my dogs got in and he died of a heart attack. I almost fainted when I saw my open door and his body across the hall, I couldn't believe it. I have been nauseous and sobbing since then. I will never forgive myself and would give anything to go back in time and not be so forgetful. He was only 7 and supposed to move to college with me in the fall and I am beyond devastated.
He was the sweetest, most curious bunny there ever was. I love him with all of my heart and I can't believe I'll never see his precious face or pet his soft fur again. We were growing a garden for him with his favorite lettuce. I feel like I can't breathe when I think of how much he trusted me just for me to make a mistake that led to him dying alone and scared. I miss him so much and just want him back but I know that'll never happen

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I’m so so sorry to hear that. It’s awful to lose a pet that you love dearly… take your time to grieve, cry and remember all the happy memories you got with your bunny through the last five years. I can’t imagine what you’re going through after seeing that, but don’t blame yourself. Mistakes can happen, but your bunny had an amazing life! He’s now your guardian angel, and will forever live on in your heart I hope that you will be ok, I really feel with you… Remember that you are not alone

I'm so so sorry. Please give yourself as much grace as you can, as you would give a beloved friend in the same situation. You didn't mean to hurt your bunny, and your heart is broken.

Try to take especially good care of yourself right now because you're in trauma and shock. If you can, reach out to good friends and loved ones for support and help. You are loved and deserving of love. I'm so sorry for your loss.

overhear said:

I'm so so sorry. Please give yourself as much grace as you can, as you would give a beloved friend in the same situation. You didn't mean to hurt your bunny, and your heart is broken.

Try to take especially good care of yourself right now because you're in trauma and shock. If you can, reach out to good friends and loved ones for support and help. You are loved and deserving of love. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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Thank you <3

Pernillejohannsenn said:

I’m so so sorry to hear that. It’s awful to lose a pet that you love dearly… take your time to grieve, cry and remember all the happy memories you got with your bunny through the last five years. I can’t imagine what you’re going through after seeing that, but don’t blame yourself. Mistakes can happen, but your bunny had an amazing life! He’s now your guardian angel, and will forever live on in your heart I hope that you will be ok, I really feel with you… Remember that you are not alone

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Thank you, this means a lot <3

yes, it is your fault - there's no denying that... BUT it was obviously a mistake and mistakes do obviously happen - even very, very serious mistakes that you would do anything to change or take back, but of course cannot.
If you have pets (or children for that matter), you WILL inevitably make some very terrible mistakes; it's up to us as their loving guardians, to ensure we do what's needed to never make those same mistakes again, because we love them so much.
It took me many years to realize exactly why losing someone you love (regardless of their number of legs) hurts so much. For me anyways, it wasn't past regrets because I can't change the past so I don't dwell on it any more than enough to hopefully learn from my failures and successes; for me, it was truly realizing there's not going to be a future with the ones I miss so much; and frankly, that sucks more than what I'm capable of putting into words and I'm truly sorry you have to endure that horrible feeling... but we can't have light without darkness, nor can we have hot without cold, nor can we truly understand love without having heartbreak... that's just the way life works. Sometimes life sucks, because it's supposed to suck sometimes, so we can truly appreciate the good times we're lucky enough to have.
You're supposed to feel terrible right now, BECAUSE you loved Peaches so much - so allow yourself to feel terrible and understand that losing a pet is as serious as losing a human family member, because pets ARE family members.
Honor Peaches by living your best life and spoiling those that you love.

jeff38002 said:

yes, it is your fault - there's no denying that... BUT it was obviously a mistake and mistakes do obviously happen - even very, very serious mistakes that you would do anything to change or take back, but of course cannot.
If you have pets (or children for that matter), you WILL inevitably make some very terrible mistakes; it's up to us as their loving guardians, to ensure we do what's needed to never make those same mistakes again, because we love them so much.
It took me many years to realize exactly why losing someone you love (regardless of their number of legs) hurts so much. For me anyways, it wasn't past regrets because I can't change the past so I don't dwell on it any more than enough to hopefully learn from my failures and successes; for me, it was truly realizing there's not going to be a future with the ones I miss so much; and frankly, that sucks more than what I'm capable of putting into words and I'm truly sorry you have to endure that horrible feeling... but we can't have light without darkness, nor can we have hot without cold, nor can we truly understand love without having heartbreak... that's just the way life works. Sometimes life sucks, because it's supposed to suck sometimes, so we can truly appreciate the good times we're lucky enough to have.
You're supposed to feel terrible right now, BECAUSE you loved Peaches so much - so allow yourself to feel terrible and understand that losing a pet is as serious as losing a human family member, because pets ARE family members.
Honor Peaches by living your best life and spoiling those that you love.

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Thank you for this. I agree with what you said about no longer having a future with them being the hardest part. I think that saddens me the most, knowing we could've been together for years to come and that our time was cut short by one slip-up. I was so careful about his diet and veterinary care and making sure he had the very best life possible and after so many years of checking that door and making sure it closed all the way (like, thousands and thousands of times) the *first* time that door didn't click cost him his life. It's so hard. I just hope he knows how much I love him and how sorry I am.

of course he knew and still knows how much you love him... and I guarantee you, he loved and still loves you just as much

IMHO this thing we call "life" is a very, very short-term thing/existence, as compared to what's waiting for us all. Rest assured he'll be there with you, along with all your other loved ones - and right now he is happier than any of us could possibly even begin to understand.

peachesthebunny said:

Thank you for this. I agree with what you said about no longer having a future with them being the hardest part. I think that saddens me the most, knowing we could've been together for years to come and that our time was cut short by one slip-up. I was so careful about his diet and veterinary care and making sure he had the very best life possible and after so many years of checking that door and making sure it closed all the way (like, thousands and thousands of times) the *first* time that door didn't click cost him his life. It's so hard. I just hope he knows how much I love him and how sorry I am.

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Oh my dear person.
I think I have an inkling of your despair.
Loosing an animal you love with all your heart, and feeling you inadvertently played a role in losing them is heartbreaking.

It is also indicative of a loving, sensitive caregiver.
Please forgive yourself.

Life happens in ways we would never choose, with incredible experiences of love ( like you had with your pet) and blindsiding occurrences out of our control.

Sending you a virtual hug.
I am thinking your dear bunny had a wonderful 5 years of health and affection and care.
Many domesticated animals never experience that.
Donna

I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Accidents can happen. Remember the love and joy you shared with Peaches, and give yourself time to grieve. Be gentle with yourself during this difficult time.

New2RabbitsDonna63 said:

Oh my dear person.
I think I have an inkling of your despair.
Loosing an animal you love with all your heart, and feeling you inadvertently played a role in losing them is heartbreaking.

It is also indicative of a loving, sensitive caregiver.
Please forgive yourself.

Life happens in ways we would never choose, with incredible experiences of love ( like you had with your pet) and blindsiding occurrences out of our control.

Sending you a virtual hug.
I am thinking your dear bunny had a wonderful 5 years of health and affection and care.
Many domesticated animals never experience that.
Donna

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That's very kind of you to say <3

RabbitO said:

I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Accidents can happen. Remember the love and joy you shared with Peaches, and give yourself time to grieve. Be gentle with yourself during this difficult time.

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Thank you, I will try <3

My heart goes out to you as you grieve your precious bun! My friend lost her bun, Oakley two days ago and they are devastated! We love hard; we grieve hard as well! It’s so hard saying goodbye! Friend, it was an accident! Please don’t beat yourself! For five years you cared and loved Peaches! Remember those times!!! Think on those memories!

So sorry for your loss, it is very hard no matter the circumstance. Our dogs are trained to never leave the family room so they and our bunnies never see each other--our small dog weighs 180 pounds, so the bunnies would definitely panic. We also use child gates as a back up, so, neither the bunnies or the dogs can roam the whole house. Give yourself time to grieve and dwell on the good memories--after all, bunnies are only with us for a short time. When our boy Cosmo passed to the bridge I took my grandson with me to the Animal Foundation here and got got 2 really sweet bunnies--we still miss our "Cosmo" but the new boys are both a source of joy and happiness. Rest in peace and binky free Peaches, you are loved and missed.

My heart goes out to you. The same thing happened to my rabbit a few months ago because of my similar mistake, (and the surviving rabbit of the pair is now disabled as a result of the trauma). At least I feel somewhat comforted that she had a very good life I for the years she was with us.

We who choose to surround ourselves
with lives even more temporary than our
own, live within a fragile circle;
easily and often breached.

Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we would still live no other way.

We cherish memory as the only
certain immortality, never fully
understanding the necessary plan.

― Irving Townsend

I am so so sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose someone (pets included) that you love so dearly, I've done it many times but I would never go back to not have them in my life; there are things I would change (like spending more time with the humans and strays and ferals and giving better care for the pets) but I would never go back to not have them in my life. You never get over it but you do work through it. Give yourself time and do your best to give yourself kindness. Rest in peace Peaches.

Mom to Minx said:

My heart goes out to you as you grieve your precious bun! My friend lost her bun, Oakley two days ago and they are devastated! We love hard; we grieve hard as well! It’s so hard saying goodbye! Friend, it was an accident! Please don’t beat yourself! For five years you cared and loved Peaches! Remember those times!!! Think on those memories!

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I'm so sorry about Oakley Hopefully your friend can find some peace soon. Thank you for your kind message <3

Nancy McClelland said:

So sorry for your loss, it is very hard no matter the circumstance. Our dogs are trained to never leave the family room so they and our bunnies never see each other--our small dog weighs 180 pounds, so the bunnies would definitely panic. We also use child gates as a back up, so, neither the bunnies or the dogs can roam the whole house. Give yourself time to grieve and dwell on the good memories--after all, bunnies are only with us for a short time. When our boy Cosmo passed to the bridge I took my grandson with me to the Animal Foundation here and got got 2 really sweet bunnies--we still miss our "Cosmo" but the new boys are both a source of joy and happiness. Rest in peace and binky free Peaches, you are loved and missed.

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Thank you <3 I would love to rescue another bun to live in my college apartment with me but I would obviously take it home during breaks and I just don't feel comfortable having another rabbit in that house with the dogs One day. I loved nothing more than spending time with peaches and caring for him and him being gone has left a big void in my heart. I'll fill it with another bun's love eventually <3

Pintobean said:

My heart goes out to you. The same thing happened to my rabbit a few months ago because of my similar mistake, (and the surviving rabbit of the pair is now disabled as a result of the trauma). At least I feel somewhat comforted that she had a very good life I for the years she was with us.

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I'm so sorry to hear this It's the worst pain. I am sending you and your bun all the love in the world <3