I can’t handle losing my pets.

[TashaFrancois]

You haven't been doing this for very long, have you? I've had many kinds of animals in over 50 years of animal keeping, and trust me, it'll come - you thought you did everything possible to prevent it, but something awful happens, and in addition to the grief, you get to deal with the guilt trip of thinking you should have done more.

Exactly. I have lost pets over my lifetime and it always hurts. But never so many at once or in a way I could have blamed myself.

 

[Kessel23]

OK. How does a dog open the bathroom door...... and then proceed to open the cages?

Dogs can open doors. It does not take a smart one long to figure it out. I have to lock my door opening dog in a room while I do chores.

 

[Kessel23]

You haven't been doing this for very long, have you? I've had many kinds of animals in over 50 years of animal keeping, and trust me, it'll come - you thought you did everything possible to prevent it, but something awful happens, and in addition to the grief, you get to deal with the guilt trip of thinking you should have done more.

Wow he must have deleted that post. Very rude, I thought the first one was bad. Disappointing to see this stuff

 

[Mrs.Megan]

A fox got into my coop and ate my 8 week old babies and it was because of a stupid mistake on my part so I know your pain @TashaFrancois. The first day was hard but the next few days were so much harder! And stupidly every time I went outside, I expected one to run up to me. It hurt so much... BUT I dealt with it by ordering more as other posters mentioned and being extra precautious with my coop and 3 lonely pullets. My new chicks are coming next week. I’m so happy but now extra apprehensive. Keep us posted on how you are feeling and what you decide to do!

 

[chickens really]

Sorry that happened..
The cost also you lost is sad too. Dogs were only being dogs. Best wishes..

 

[AmyJane725]

I'm so sorry for your loss. How traumatic. It is devastating, no way around it.

And I hope this doesn't make me a horrible person, but I'm with bantamsrmyfav.

When a pet dies, I don't feel ok again until I have a new baby to lavish love all over. Just staring at the empty cage/coop/whatever is depressing. Bring some new life into your home. Get some more babies, and honor the memory of your old ones by taking extra special care of the new ones.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Losing pets is always hard. There is really no way around grieving. It’s the price we pay for their love and companionship. Hugs.

 

[21hens-incharge]

WOW what a horrible thing to come home to. I am so sorry.

Dogs can open doors. It does not take a smart one long to figure it out. I have to lock my door opening dog in a room while I do chores.

So true! My older dog is a door opener. He also opens the gate to his kennel and often closes it behind himself.

 

[DobieLover]

So sorry for your loss.
Please don't blame yourself. The grief of losing your pets is hard enough to cope with without second guessing how you were to blame. You weren't. Neither were your dogs . As you wrote, they were just doing what comes natural to them.
No one can ever possibly foresee every potential threat. You took what I see as very reasonable precautions. Accidents happen.
I happen to agree that getting some more chicks and ducklings will help you heal. You need something that needs you back. Chin up!

 

[HuffleClaw]

Aw I’m so very very very sorry. It’s awful when things like that happen. Especially when you’re so attached to them.