as she had a respiritory infection, i had her for 21 months and i am absolutely heart broken. has any one got any advice on how to get over the guilt? it was so sudden, she was fine til 7pm last night. the vet said it was the kind thing to do as she was probably suffering, but i miss her so much already.
never thought i would get so attached to such a little creature but i adored her.
2006-12-11 03:24:19 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
when i feel ready, i'm gonna go to the local animal shelter and see if they have small animals needing a home. thanks for your answers, they are helping.x
2006-12-11 03:37:50 · update #1
Honey, the average hamster's life span is about 24 months, so she was a v. old lady anyway. Many hamsters develop cancerous tumors at that age. Putting a suffering animal to sleep is the last kind gift you can give them. They don't understand why they're so ill, and you can't explain, so you just gave her peace. You gave her love and care, I'm sure, so there's nothing to feel guilty about. But I understand your pain, three yrs ago I had to have my 13 yr old cat put to sleep and I cried for 2 days. We'd had him for half our married life and I still miss him.
((((you))))
2006-12-11 08:10:00 · answer #1 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you bring animals into your life you sometimes have to make difficult and awful decisions. When an animal is suffering, it is the kindest decision to make to save an agonising and lingering death. The best thing you did was give her a lovely, caring home so think of the good things and that she didn't suffer in her life.
It is tempting to go out and get another, but only do this if the time is right. Wait until you feel ready to have another, before getting him/her and then you wont see it as a replacement. I have had animals large and small, and have a hamster at the moment so can understand how much you miss her. You don't have to feel guilty, though you will at first. In time you will see the good in what you had to do and move on to help other animals.
2006-12-11 14:44:50 · answer #2 · answered by debzc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you shouldn't feel guilty for doing the decent thing. The poor thing would have suffered a slow and agonising death had you not done this. You are now grieving, it takes time for your emotions to re balance. I cried my eyes out when I had to put my cat to sleep. She was awesome! You should take some comfort in the fact that you are such a caring person.
2006-12-11 11:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by gbiaki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sweetie, I know how you feel. I've had a hamster die and a mouse and many other deaths in my family. There's no way to get over the pain, but it'll pass with time and, in a little while, you'll be able to look back on all of the fun things that you did together and the memories that you made.
You're in my prayers.
2006-12-11 12:53:45 · answer #4 · answered by ღQueenღ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry about your loss, but you did the right thing. Not very many people would take the time to bring in a hamster, this shows you really loved you her. I suggest giving yourself some time, then if your up to it, get another hamster, it my sound wrong so early, but you will find it easier to cope with the previous loss
2006-12-11 11:42:52 · answer #5 · answered by samanthabohon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We had a hamster called Shirley who was a real character, she died of old age. We had to make her cage into a little chapel of rest and my son went in and said his goodbyes all on his own aaahhhhh!!! We missed her but we ended two adorable pet rats, one died of an infection that cam on suddenly like yours and the other died of cancer. We cried buckets when we had to have them put to sleep. That's the trouble with pets, they become part of the family. It will get easier with time, promise.
2006-12-11 12:09:19 · answer #6 · answered by sladelover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, honey, I'm so sorry to hear that. I have had pet mice over the past several years and I have had to put some of them to sleep. It's so sad, but you did the right thing. It's too bad that mice, hamsters, and other rodents don't live longer.
Now she is happy in Rodent Heaven, along with my mice Rocky, Nala, Moo Moo, Marshmallow, Toast, and MacKenzie, and my hamsters Fievel and Harriet. They all welcome her with open paws and warm, furry, hugs!
2006-12-11 15:03:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm really sorry to hear about your hamster, Ive been though the same thing with my cat, its heart breaking. when my cat died i felt guilt as well, but then i realised why should i because i did the best thing for her before she started suffering. i hope this helps
2006-12-11 11:42:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we had to do the same thing to our Airedale a few years ago, (different animal and size) but our dog got too old to carry on, and it was the only humane way to go! I'm sorry you lost your pet, but humans can become attached to their pets, almost like they've bonded with them. And you never really get over it either.
2006-12-11 11:29:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, to hear about that. You don;'t really think your attached until something happens. Time is the only thing that will help, remember you memories. Best of luck
2006-12-11 11:34:53 · answer #10 · answered by dadknows 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋