Im New And Grieving Options

[leannaschmidt]

Today an accident in our bunny's cage left her paralyzed and ultimately led to me having to have her euthanized. I was with her during her final moments and i've gotta say, i thought i was benefiting her by being there but, I cant shake off the moment she looked at me and breathed her last breath in my arms and when the vet said "She's done." I feel like i've been hit with a thousand tons of bricks. For those of you who wonder, to watch the life slowly drain out of your pet is the most traumatizing thing to go through. Part of you says "I dont want them to die alone with a stranger." and part of you wishes afterwards, that you wouldnt have put yourself through it. This is so confusing.

[CheriAnn]

Oh, I am SO, SO sorry that you lost your precious bunny.
However, you have come to a wonderful site where we ALL understand your feelings all too well.

I had to make that decision for my sweet Rachael back on October 2, 2004. Like you, I decided to stay with her and I held her soft head in my arms as the vet administered the shot. I NEVER EVER thought I would be able to do that, but I felt I owed it to her. After all, she had been there for me her whole life. She protected me and loved me. That's why you were there for your furbaby too. As hard as it was to watch her and hear her sigh from her last breath, I have never regretted it.

That final moment will be with you for a while. It took a month at least before I could get past that image every time I closed my eyes. It is VERY traumatic, so we should expect it to be hard to deal with. But I want to promise you that in time that image will fade. I'm at the point where I have to really stop and close my eyes and think hard to remember it. Time will heal you. You made the right decision. As many here have said, you took on her pain and suffering so she wouldn't have to anymore. You freed her from the terrible paralization that had taken her over.

Please tell us more about your sweet bunny!

Cheri