I am racked with guilt, someone offer me some comfort please

[louise35]

My beautiul little rabbit Dylan has just died. I had left him running round the garden this morning with his companion, William. I went inside to the toilet and when I went back out I found him back in his hutch on his side, obviously exhausted. I brought him in and kept him quiet for a while but he seemed really stressed and was making funny movements with his head. I have a feeling that our little dog (who has never hurt them and been brought up with them since a puppy) had chased him around the garden and it had all been too much for him. I took him to the vets at 5 o'clock and they gave him a steroid injection but for some reason after bringing him home he seemed to deteriorate. I seem to have a sixth sense with animals and I had a feeling he was not going to make it so I put him on my knee and cuddled him until he died. I suspect he suffered a heart attack. The reason I feel so guilty is that yesterday he seemed to flake out on the lawn all of a sudden which I just put down to the heat. He has probably always had a weak heart as he was the runt of the litter when we bought him and he has had other problems with his eyes and his teeth so maybe it was only a matter of time before this happened. Whats breaking my heart though is that our other rabbit, William is now laying on the rug with Dylan and has been trying to wash him. I did not want to just take Dylan away and leave William bewildered as to where his companion had gone. I just dont know whether William understands that Dylan is dead. Do animals instinctively know when something is wrong? I just dont know what to do now. Its breaking my heart that William will be sleeping in his hutch alone and bewildered tonight when he has been used to having his companion with him. Do you get another rabbit in these circumstances? Inevitably this will happen again, and one rabbit will be left alone again creting a vicious circle. I am terrible when I lose my pets, I should not have them really because I take it very hard when I lose them. I am always plagued with guilt and the feeling of if only I'd done this or seen that etc. I keep thinking I should not have taken him to the vet as tht seemed to prove the final straw. Would someone please reassure me that this is not all my fault please.

[southeastastra]

for your rabbit, the weather has been so hot for them. how old was he?

[louise35]

He would have been 3 in November, poor little soul.

[handlemecarefully]

Of course it is not your fault. Not at all. Natural causes.

The other bunny will get over it - at the risk of sounding harsh, he is only a bunny....(meant kindly in that I don't think he will have the higher level of awareness that more advanced mammals will have)

I started off with 3 gerbils but 2 have since died through old age (only live circa 2 years). The remaining gerbil seems unmoved by it all

[handlemecarefully]

and just to add, I am sorry - since you clearly loved him.

[southeastastra]

ah that's really sad. wait and see how the other rabbit reacts, he might be ok alone. try not to feel guilty, its not something you could have done anything about, and you let him run around.

i bet he had a lovely life

[louise35]

Thank you for your replies, I can't stop crying at the moment, its y remaining rabbits behviour thats upsetting me now. He's just sat next to his deceased compnion trying to wash him again. I really eel better for having someone to get this off my chest to. I sent DH out to take DD to her Friday night swimming session. I did not want her to miss out because I am upset. Its just that I'm sat here alone and sometimes you need someone to talk to, so thank you.

[trinityrhino]

oh hun, huge for you
It wasn't your fault at all
i think the remaining bunny will be fine, he will quickly get used to just being one
So sorry that this has happened, it's obvious that you adored your little bunny

hope you feel better soon

[southeastastra]

give the other bunny lots of attention - my bunny died this year, he was so lovely and sweet natured, they are great little animals