Hi everybody, my name is Andrea and I'm new to this site. Well, back in 1997, my sister found a beautiful but older male Shihtzu tied to a tree in a very bad rainstorm. She took him in, after trying to find the owners, I named him Gumby, and he has been with us ever since. Well today i received a phone call from another sister, telling me that Gumby had died. Apparently, since it was raining, my 18 yr old sister let him out in the back yard to go to the restroom, he got to close to the pool, fell in and drowned. He probably got confused or lost (he was partially blind in one eye), and fell in on accident. Since he was an old dog, he just didnt have the strength to climb out. You see sometimes, when my sisters didnt want to walk Gumby, they would let him out in the back, and he would come back and bark when he was ready to come back inside. But this is the thing. Maybe about a year ago, the same thing almost happened. But this time my stepmom saw him too close to the pool, and went and got him before anything happened. My sisters were told at the time, that part of havng pets, is being responsible and doing what needs to be done, including walking them. Well needless to say, they are teenagers, and they did not listen. I know that this isnt anybodys fault, but i cant help but be angry. Pets provide us with so much unconditional love and friendship, and in return we must do out part, and understand that having pets is a huge responsibility. I understand that accidents do happen, but my family and I all know that this could have been prevented. Even though Gumby was an older dog, he was still healthy, happy, spunky, and had a long life ahead of him. So although i do not want my sister to feel an ounce of gulit over this, and i told her that also, i still cant help but be angry. Somebody please tell me if I'm wrong for being upset. I'm not upset with anybody inparticular, it could have happened to any of my sisters, since they all let him back there, but just with the entire situation. Am i wrong?

I am so sorry to hear how your baby lost her life, it was a terrible way for it to happen, breaks my heart. I had something simliar I took my eyes off my bueatiful blk lab and he went down the srteet and was hit by a car, it was the worst cause I loved him so, I did'nt mean for that to happen, I would give almost anything if it had'nt when it happened, oh how I blamed myself, as if i had hit him with my own car, i should have been watching him closer, I always had before, I loved him so. But people here helped me to see that it was an accident, and accidents happen we would never do anything on purpose to hurt them, and as awful as it is the worst part is over. I found a lot of help coming here, I would suggest you do the same for yourself, it's a hard thing to deal with. Pamela

Hi Andrea, my name is Toni and I am angry too, still, but I guess it will pass; my new friends here are helping me see that. Pam's message above mine will help - read her story about her sweet puppy Moose. I am still so angry at the vet - I thought him incompetent when he refused to operate (he was right, but...). Maybe I am just rambling, but ya have to let yourself what you will feel; I am only into DAY SIX of my Angel being gone, so my emotions are still all over the map. Gumby sounds like neat dog and I bet your sister is in her own private hell over this - accidents just happen, we can't prevent them. There is no way to change what happened - and you are not wrong. Hang around LS; you will meet so many great people; I know I have and the thought that helped me was the baby Ernestine who helped my Angel get her wings in a place called the Bridge - I have rambling postings there too now - is anyone sick of me yet?? Andrea, you will get thru this - if I can help you, please ask me to - you will be doing me a favour. Oh honey, I feel so bad for you. Gumby! Great name, I love it!

Hi Andrea.
I am so sorry for the way your sweet little Gumby died and the pain you and your family are feeling. I'm sure it is very upsetting to you and sometimes we need someone or something to blame. We are human and sometimes we do get a little careless in not putting a leash on, or staying with them every second, or turning our backs for just a minute or two.

One time my little Snookie took off and I got in my car and called her and she came running and got in. She could have been hit by a car when that happened but luckly she did not. I too have let my baby out when it has been raining while I stood and watched in the door way.

I am trying to say sometimes we all get lax whether we are young like your sisters, or old like me. I am 51 and I know terrible things do happen and we learn from them but it does not stop the pain and the guilt.

What your sister needs right now is compassion and a bit of extra love she needs to know she is still loved, after all Gumby would still love her no matter what.
Ann