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I too am involved in rescue and two days ago, got a pit off a chain. She was chained 24/7. I brought her home with the plan to re home her. I was just her foster short term. I was careless even after she showed aggression to my dogs to leave her near my cats, even though I had them somewhat serrated and I had the dog on a chain in the house when I couldn't supervise. I went to eat dinner and shower and came back to find a cat of 8 years that I rescued torn apart. I had to do the one thing that goes against every fiber of my being, and call animal control for the dog. My cat is dead and I am responsible. I ache so badly and I cant believe my Riley is gone. I feel like the worlds worst pet owner. I don't know how I will ever recover.
Empathy by: Kaz
I have just read your post and it brought tears to my eyes. My cat Tango was found dead by my partner on returning home from work yesterday. Our pet Akita had killed him (we believe) over food posession on her part. I feel completely traumatised. It is my fault completely as I should never have left them alone. He was my best friend. He would follow me everywhere around the house. Now I don't know what to do. He has been sent to the crematorium but I have not felt this guilt and grief before. I believe the dog is actually mourning him as well :( He had lick marks over his body where I believe she may have tried to bring him back to life... but I still can't help but hate her for doing this to Tango. Our Tango - Our pack member!! :'(
I hope you're doing better by: Scott
I found your site researching how I could get my dog to love my cat and not think of him as a chew toy.
I hope you've gotten pass the pain and that you're living life again.
Best to you.
Scott
Thanks by: Jessica
Thank you so much for your story. The exact same thing happened to me yesterday. I came home to find my cat of 11 years dead on the living room floor, killed by my dogs who I also love dearly. I feel so guilty for rescuing my pit mix, Gigi, last year and keeping her even though I knew she shouldn't be around cats. I tried to find her a new home but couldn't and didn't want to see her put down at the pound. This is one sad world we live in. It's going to take time to get over this one. It's comforting to hear the words of a fellow animal lover who has been through the same thing.
:( by: Leo W
This is so sad. I am really sorry to hear about Naya. It sounds like you really loved her a lot. I just adopted a cat from the SPCA, and I've had him for almost 2 weeks. He's already become my best friend, and I too would be devastated if anything happened to him.
Bless your heart!! by: Vicky
Last friday a pit bull killed my my lil Lasher, my baby, my cat.... I'm heart broken, devastated!! It's killing me inside. He was so very special... I know your pain all too well... and it's awful just awful. And what hurts most, people, my friends, they just don't understand why I'm so upset, so grief stricken... they act as if I should just get over... it's one of the most horrific things, so horrible...
I feel so alone in this... and I miss my baby and just want him back. :(
The pit bull was put down... although that didn't make me feel much better.... I just want my baby back.
My Story by: Cynthia Leeson
I too have suffered a very similar loss. I have rescued 4 dogs from a cruel neighbor when they were 4 months old they are now 3 1/2 years old. I have several cats, who they have always lived with and never had a problem until 3 days ago.
I came home and was greeted as usual by my dogs. I saw they had knocked over a dry dog food bowl and there was dry dog food all over the floor. I groaned at the thought of having to clean up the mess.
It wasn't until I got further into the kitchen when I saw drops of blood everywhere. I at first thought one of the dogs was hurt until I turned around and saw Momma a cat I had rescued 11 years ago. She had been a kitten machine at a neighborhood horse barn until I came along. I had her spayed and took her home to live inside. She was feral and it took 10 years for her to trust me enough to actually pet her. She had become such a lap kitty and I was sooooo happy!
How do I forgive my dogs? They had been so mistreated by my neighbor and had never heard us raise our voice at them much less hit them which I did when I discovered what they had done. I feel so bad. They now mistrust me and when I start crying again they all run and hide in fear. How do I get past this!!!
Naya Loves You.. by: Anonymous
My thoughts are with you Jean. I had a similar distressing experience with my labrador dog and my sister's puppy. It happened so fast. I stood over my lab to adjust his collar, when he lunged and shook Zu between his teeth.
My heart squeezed as I cradled the yelping puppy, blood seeping from his tiny nose. I immediately rushed Zu to the Vet. I explained everything to the doctor, that the puppy went under my dog's belly (guessing he nipped his privates) when my dog bit him. The doctor said it was territorial. He gave Zu meds to relax his muscles and would determine if in a few hrs if he was going to be alright. I felt heartsick, at how I was going to tell my sister about her precious puppy that he may live or die.
My sister and I were hopeful for Zu's recovery. The Vet gave the diagnosis that Zu wouldn't have a good quality of life if he lived. The awful desision was made to euthanise. My insides crushed. Zu was ONLY 8 wks old. I wept for Zu and my sis. I felt horrible. I went through the 'if only' I had put Zu in his cage.
For three days I couldn't look at my dog the same way. I hated and loved him at the same time, mindful it was his nature. My husband was upset too and thought we should euthanise our dog. We had nephews/nieces to consider. I fought to protect our beloved and said, NOT once did he show any aggression. I researched the behavior of dogs. I took my dog to the Vet's. They confirmed it was territorial. Playing the Alpha Dog. The Vet said though my dog has a great temperament, even the world's best dog should never be left alone with a child.
I took that lesson home with me. God I thought, was this supposed to be a lesson? How awful. Like you Jean, with your horrible incident, I did the same by putting some connotation to it, and spread the word around.
My whole being felt distresed and guilty. Within a short time, I forgave my lab dog. But that didn't take away my pain and 'what if's.' Emotionally, I was beating myself. I sometimes think we want to hang onto the pain as a way of punishing ourselves. But it's not good to let our sorrow and guilt fester. Eventually, I learned to release/forgive myself. Crying helped. I wrote a poem. Similar to what you're doing in this website, Jean. Talking helped a lot. Something you're doing.
Along the way, with understanding from family I found release.
Your hurt is devastating I know. I can only imagine your intense pain right now, because of it's suddenness. Naya was your precious baby. She loved you Jean, and Naya felt your constant love everyday too. She (still) feels your love now.
I know this is too soon to say, but someday, I hope you find absolution.
The Rainbow Bridge by: Steven Myers, Bedford, PA USA
We share your grief at the loss of dear Naya and hope we can take a little of the weight from you.
One day, a new selfless friend will ask to join you for a while - and to give you more than it receives, without condition.
Do not worry! Naya will tell you that she approves of your decision. In the meantime, you will learn to exist with grief, suffering under it for a while, and then learning to co-exist, and finally to overcome it. At that point, Naya will start to judge on the next of her kind in your life.
We had a lovely red tabby queen who died of kidney failure - after three years of extra life we were able to give her via hands and hearts. Daphne asked only for companionship and care. The day she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge I wrote the following poem - and I know Daphne understood it.
The Rainbow Bridge
You packed your stuff and left the house
That morning bright in June,
And down the endless road you went
Beside a merry tune.
The sun was climbing o'er my roof
As footsteps faded, then
I knew it well - you were away,
To ne'er return again.
There is a tale of wonderment
Which tells of better times,
Of better feelings, better food -
Of rhyming better rhymes!
I think you heard them, sweet and good,
As down the road you passed,
With eyes on sunsets, springs, and health;
You moved - and yes, with haste!
Then there it was: the Rainbow Bridge!
Yes, ever drawing near;
A span across this hurtsome world
To other comforts dear.
And, when you got there, bag in hand,
Expecting God knows what -
The friendly faces told you that
You'd found the place you sought.
Now, that is good for you, my friend,
Your journey proved to be
An unexpected, joyful trek -
I beg you wait for me.
