Today, I ran over a black lab, she was so beautiful and so young. I followed the owers to the vet and it was too late, her back was broken. I watch as they had to sign the papers to put her to sleep. Just like that she was gone.
I can't help but blame myself. I keep replaying the whole situation over and over. I'm scared, lost, and so alone. I've been wondering if I will ever have any normalcy in my life again. Has anyone gone through this? If so please I need some words of inspiration to get me through this tragic time in my life.
2007-10-27 12:52:07 · 18 answers · asked by SADIE 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Doing service work at the humane societyto help make amends to yourself and to dogs. Also, maybe talk to the owners once in a while about the incident if they would be willing. Time is usually the biggest helper with this kind of thing. I hope this helps!
2007-10-27 12:58:55 · answer #1 · answered by youngsocrates 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should feel bad right now, and I'm not blaming you. It's natural to feel responsible, replay it, feel scared etc. That is your conscience; and that is a good thing. If you didn't feel like that it would mean you weren't a good person.
Ok that said, you could do something positive to "make up" for it. How about volunteering at a shelter? Ask the family if there is something they would like you to do. Could you make them a meal? How about a donation to a charity they care about or to a Lab rescue agency?
Tell people you know about the accident. If you were on your phone, or not paying attention make it a promise to drive without the phone. You will probably find out lots of people have made mistakes and had accidents too. You are really not alone. We had a dog die from a poisoning and we felt really responsible about that. We did get over it and You will too.
2007-10-27 13:11:28 · answer #2 · answered by webtravelreviews 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat was hit by a car a few months ago and died on the spot. I was very sad. I still miss her from time to time, but I'm certainly coping with the the loss. I believe being the person who ran over some else's cat might have been a worse experience for me. Losing a pet and taking the life of someone else's, accidentally, of course, are two different kinds of pain. It's okay , tonight, to feel as though you will be overwhelmed by grief. That doesn't mean you will be. I think Nathan and bainaashanti's suggestions to volunteer are excellent , as is Webtravel's advice to ask the owner's how you might honor their pet. Offering them some small comfort will likely help you feel better as well.
2007-10-27 13:22:45 · answer #3 · answered by parsnipianna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't beat yourself up. It was an accident. It was not your fault. If the owner of the black lab would have been more responsible in looking after his dog this would have never happened.
The best advise I can give you is to pray to God for strength and endurance.
Don't keep tormenting yourself by playing the whole situation over and over. Look at the bright side it could have been worst if it were a human being. Not that it's okay because it was an animal. I hope you understand what I mean. Trust in God and pray. God bless you.
2007-10-27 13:05:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh my goodness, I know exactly how you feel! I hit a bird, of all things, and felt horrible for days! All I can say is just remember you didn't do it on purpose, so you're not a bad person, or anything. The guilt and sadness will get easier to deal with over time. Good for you for making sure she got medical care, though, a lot of people just don't care. The best way I can think of is just let yourself feel what you're feeling without drowning in it or dwelling on it. Your feelings are all normal and if you try to suppress them or ignore them it will just be that much harder to get through it. Don't listen to people who say it was just a dog, they don't understand that some people find all life to be precious and we take it hard when we feel like we were responsible for ANY death. YOU ARE NOT A BAD PERSON! THIS WAS AN ACCIDENT, SO PLEASE DON'T PUNISH YOURSELF! Talk to people who love you and try to spend time with them till you feel better.
Btw, I like the idea of volunteering at the Humane Society, but not as a "redemption", you didn't do this on purpose so you don't need to "redeem" yourself. Working with other animals that need the help and love you can give them would just be a nice way to honor the life of the lab. And, really, who can feel bad surrounded by puppy love?
2007-10-27 13:05:34 · answer #5 · answered by bainaashanti 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course you blame yourself, that's natural. Things happen and sometimes through no fault of our own. This was an accident and yes it was tragic but the owner's were responsible for that dog so they share in the blame too. You have to forgive yourself and realize there was nothing you could have done and move on. If you felt anything but remorse you would be cruel. Good luck.
2007-10-27 12:57:43 · answer #6 · answered by Rockettgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry- I've never gone through anything like this, but i've imagined that i have. Just first realize that there was no possible way it could've been your fault that it happened- shouldn't it have been on a leash or tied away, ect.? And just realize the amount of intentional killing that goes on everyday. You are a wonderful person for worrying so much about one accidential life being taken away. There should be more people like you in the world. Good luck. :)
2007-10-27 13:03:26 · answer #7 · answered by somrp2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Remember that it was an accident. You did more than some people would (I've seen people hit animals and keep driving). I'm sorry you had to go through that. It will take time to get over it but know that you did everything you could and try not to blame yourself to much.
2007-10-27 13:00:50 · answer #8 · answered by KatieK 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son ran over my dog, and its the grieving process your going thru. He tried to suck it up after crying a day but the next day he had to come home from work because he could not cope. It takes a while to let the shock and grief settle so you can accept in your heart what has occured ( a tragedy ). My dog was a cup of love, but I understand an accident and truely my son did not want this. I know my dog awaits me and he is always in my heart. Please understand grief is a process. Bless you.
2007-10-27 13:00:41 · answer #9 · answered by kim 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its normal to feel bad about this, but i promise you will feel ok again. It wasn't your fault, you did not do it on purpose. After a period of grieving you going to have to forgive yourself. Things happen, not always good things, but you need to move on. Im sorry this happened to you, my friends step mom recently ran over his dads dog, so i understand what your going through, and i wish you the best of luck
2007-10-27 12:56:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋