How to get over my guilt for a kitten's death?

I was on my grandparent's farm and took my dog out to pee. He started sniffing frantically like he always does. He's a terrier, so him flipping out about stupid scents isn't new. When he went over to a bush, I called him back. He didn't listen, so I started to go over to get him. Then he lunged, and I knew there was a cat in there. Then I heard adult hisses, so I was a little calmed. Just an adult. It could get away. I still ran a little, though, to get him out. My dog was really Рапунцель - Запутанная история in the bushes, so I thought for a couple секунды on how to get him out without hurting him. Really wish I hadn't worried about that. Even if I did yank him out by his tail, he wouldn't have died! As soon as I pulled him out, I saw he drug a месяц old kitten with him. I ran my dog to the house and threw him in before running back to the kitten, but it was too late. The other one was injured but still OK. This one had its whole side covered in blood coming from its mouth. I started crying when the mom came back and saw her little baby. I feel absolutely terrible, and regardless if its instinct или not, I'm having a really hard time forgiving my dog. What can I do?
 ppgcowgirl posted Больше года
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milky-way said:
I'm sorry about the incident, it's not a nice thing to witness :( but just remember that it's really not your fault. Ты couldn't have known that there was a kitten in those bushes, and it's hard to stop a dog once they've started to attack. It's just a tragic and unfortunate accident.

I know you're пересекать, крест with your dog, which is understandable, but he couldn't have known that he wasn't supposed to hurt the kitten. Terriers have been bred to kill small animals, but they don't stop to think about whether it's a kitten или a rat. He probably thought he was protecting Ты and the family.

There's nothing Ты can do to change what happened, but Ты can use this bad experience to your advantage. Like Ты can start taking out your dog on a lead when you're at your grandparents' house, and in general Ты will probably find that you've become еще aware of small Животные hiding in bushes. And that's good because you'll have a better chance of stopping your dog from getting to them. Perhaps this incident will help Ты to prevent a еще devastating one in the future.

Hope this helps Ты a little bit - just remember, it's not your fault!
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posted Больше года 
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Thanks a lot! Ты made me feel a lot better and little less mad at my dog. I'm trying to stay positive and think about the kitten I did save :)
ppgcowgirl posted Больше года
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It's great that Ты managed to save one! Things could have been much worse if Ты hadn't intervened, so that kitten is very lucky that Ты saw what was happening.
milky-way posted Больше года
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Thanks :)
ppgcowgirl posted Больше года
101trx said:
this is why i ain't & never will be a dog person! that poor kitten! i would give it a proper burial. but i would'nt forgive him. and keep him away from cats. maybe uh...keep him on a leash for now on.
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posted Больше года 
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Well, in a dog's defense, I also saw a cat tear the guts out of a baby bunny. It goes both ways, but anyway, he normally is. The only reason he wasn't this is time is because I forgot it at home. He normally listens, though, so I didn't think much of it, and I was told to take him out. Didn't have much say in the matter. He had to pee. But from now on, yeah, I guess he'll hold it if there's no leash.
ppgcowgirl posted Больше года
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i understand what yr saying. im sorry for the kitten & what u had to see.
101trx posted Больше года
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Thanks :)
ppgcowgirl posted Больше года
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