A few months ago I got a kitten. It was so young and so little that you could hold it in one hand. One night, while I was sleeping, she crawled in bed with me and fell asleep. Because I was sleeping and she was so little, I had no idea she was even there. In my sleep I must have rolled over on to her because when I woke up the next morning she was laying right next to me and she dead. I have been so depressed since then because my kitten's death was my fault. I miss her so much, and I will always love her. I know it was an accident and that I had no way of knowing she was in bed with me since I was sleeping but I can not get over this guilt and depression. What should I do?
2007-01-15 15:30:37 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
A few days after her death, I felt that I should get another one in her honor so I did go to my local shelter and I adopted a 4 months old kitten....Thank you for all the support!!
2007-01-15 15:41:50 · update #1
My heart goes out to you in your grief. Don't beat yourself up, it was an accident and your kitty was warm and well fed and had your love. Please go speak someone face-to-face so that you can talk out your grief. I'll be thinking of you.
2007-01-15 15:38:24 · answer #1 · answered by Kitty Lover 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Y'know, I'm having a hard time believing your rolling onto her is what killed her; most women/girls are not that violent sleepers, and the kitten likely would have meowed (or screamed), and moved. I'm wondering more if she was so "young and little" --- was she removed from her mother too young, and her health possibly compromised? Sometimes the reason an animal is "so little" is because it is not thriving... it has a problem, possibly it's heart. It could be she just happened to be sleeping with you when she passed. Either way, you have no reason to continue to feel guilty; we can't be held responsible for what we do in our sleep (even if that was the case). The kitten didn't suffer long, and it is over now. Like the other poster said, give a loving home to another waiting kitten or cat. It's cold out... and I'm sure it's warm at your house!
2007-01-15 15:44:40 · answer #2 · answered by Autumn R 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It was an accident. Why don't you (when you're ready) go to your local animal shelter and adopt a kitty from there. We have lots of cats at our shelter that are just past the kitten stage (we call them the teenagers and they are full of spunk and fun) so they are more able to take care of themselves and you would feel if you laid on it. Better yet, adopt several! Find out if you can get a deal from your shelter if you adopt more than one! They stay healthier with a playmate and can keep each other company if you are gone during the day. Save a life, adopt!
2007-01-15 15:44:25 · answer #3 · answered by sweetiepie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she was that tiny, she might have passed due to some other reason. Even if you had put her in bed with you, you would not have intended to hurt her. Accidents happen and because you did not mean for this to happen, it was an accident. It is normal to have some depression after a loss, but if it doesn't go away soon you may wish to talk to your doctor about. For the time being, forgive yourself, learn a lesson and when the thoughts of the kitty come up, stop them and think of something happy and positive instead. You have suffered enough. One of the few things that we can control in life is our thoughts about things that happen and trying to limit negative thoughts is a great coping skilll that everyone should learn. In the meantime, watch only funny movies (no animals) listen to happy music, get some exercise, talk to or keep in touch with your friends (just not about negative things) do something young and silly, do things for fun, move on. Hugs.
2007-01-15 15:39:58 · answer #4 · answered by gramma 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry about your kitten. You shouldn't blame yourself, although I know that it's probably hard not to. I would do the same. I'd like to think that maybe the person that suggested that the kitten wasn't well and just wanted to be near you is right.
It is so sad. It's very painful to lose a pet. And I think it is very normal to mourn its loss, so don't feel ashamed.
I think that maybe you should consider getting another kitten (or better yet-a cat that would be less appealing to people-everyone loves kittens) from a shelter in your kitten's honor. I lost a cat a few years back and I sort of waited for the right animal to come along. I decided to take the dog I have now(three legged and most llikely abused) in my Kittie's honor. I dunno, it made me feel better to take a pet that might not get adopted otherwise.
I hope you feel better.
2007-01-15 15:51:13 · answer #5 · answered by Margarita 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This was not your fault at all hun. You were sound asleep and there is no way that you could have known. You just have to learn to forgive yourself. My brother did this very thing to my kitten when he was about 11. He still thinks about it from time to time but he finally forgave himself. Just learn the next time to shut your door at night and not let the kitten sleep with you until much bigger. Good luck, get yourself a new friend. =)
2007-01-15 15:38:24 · answer #6 · answered by MasLoozinIt76 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i dont think it was your fault. if you would have rolled over on to her, she would have meowed and clawed at you untill you rolled back over. mabye she was allready sick, and wanted to curl up next to you to help her feel better. this happens sometimes, and its sad when it happens. its great that you are adopting another cat in her honor. read this, it will help you feel better. its from a book, and its called rainbow bridge. you'll like it. keep your kitten close to your heart, and never forget her!
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
2007-01-15 18:00:12 · answer #7 · answered by superyduperymommy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the same thing happened to me this summer.my cat had 5 kittens]and when they were 3weeks old ;they;d get out of the box and search.one day i was looking for them and i felt i stepped on something on my blanket that was a little on the floor.i looked under there and my little red kitten was moving real fast and wierd.i seen blood and she was in a death seizure.i screamed and cried and hated myself for months..after i buried her i was so sad and after a few months i thought it was an accident it was not on purpose..you should not beat yourself up either...now we know that there's nothing we could of done to help iticse we didnt know that death would come our way.... please don;t beat yourself up... i love animals and will do anything to help them and feed the ones without homes and try to make a difference..when you get another cat you;ll be careful;like now i;m careful around my grown cats,,,GOOD-LUCK AND HANG IN THERE IT;S GONNA BE ALRIGHT. YOU;LL GET OVER IT.....P;EASE FORGIVE YOURSELF...
2007-01-15 15:50:31 · answer #8 · answered by Cami lives 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh that is awful, I would of been in a terrible state of mind if that happened to me. :(
I'm glad to hear that you adopted a new Kittie, I often wonder why people feel that because 1 pet dies if they get another they are betraying them?
It was no way your fault. It certainly is tragic but she sounds like the runt, so it was probably natural.
2007-01-15 15:44:26 · answer #9 · answered by +No longer a Yahoo answerer+ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please forgive yourself. Your kitten wouldn't want you to hold this terrible memory forever as this is why it's called accidents. She would want you to be able to love again and if you adopt another cat you would be honoring her memory that it wasn't in vain if you love and treat it with the best of intentions. I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your beloved but know that she is in God's Paradise.
2007-01-15 15:41:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aw, i'm so sorry. ): I even have in no way had a puppy that died yet, possibly in case you get yet another kitten it is going to assist you're taking it off your ideas. not that this kittens going to interchange your different kitten yet you have yet another so your not lonely.
2016-10-31 05:41:00 · answer #11 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋