Can’t cope with the guilt

[Belleangel22]

Hi, I work in a pet store and this morning I was cleaning the gerbil cages. As I was lifting the wire part of the cage the gerbil must have been sticking his head of out the cage and the cage part has landed on his neck and killed him. I did not notice. I cannot stop crying I feel so much guilt and I hate myself. How do I feel better I am so so upset and can’t stop picturing his face. Has something like this ever Happened to anyone and how did you get over it

It will get better with the time. I had gerbils when I was a child and they got babies. One day I took one of the babies on my hand and went to show it to my dad who was in bed. He was sleeping and woke up with sudden movement and gerbil got scared and fell on the floor. Sadly it died :(
I was quite upset for awhile but it will get better. I still remember that baby gerbil.

Oh you poor thing. That's really very sad but not your fault. You must try not to blame yourself.
Terribly upsetting though and I think I'd feel exactly the same. Just try to be kind to yourself.
How did your colleagues respond to it? I'd imagine in those circumstances it would have been very quick and no suffering.

I ran over a mouse. Doing 40 on the road, traffic behind, it ran out, squiggled around and didnt run on! There was nothing I could do but I still remember him. I am sorry for what happened to you xx