Op,

I am so sorry. Please don’t blame yourself. It reminds me when a neighbor’s cat escaped. A friend of theirs came to feed it while they were away. He had barely opened the door and the cat shot out. We tried to lure it back with tuna fish but just couldn’t catch him. He ran off into the woods. He was a child’s pet and that friend felt terrible. Despite best intentions, things can go wrong.

OP, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you. There are pets support groups on Facebook. Please share your grief. It won't lessen but it will get a bit less difficult to bear.

I am so sorry. It is a tragedy, so grieve as much as you need to. It isn't your fault. These things happen, unfortunately. Don't continue second guessing yourself. I've had dogs that would run out all the time. We got lucky, that is all.

Hugs to you, OP. You experienced a trauma on top of the grief of the loss. This happened to me as a child - 40 years ago! - and it remains a raw feeling for me and the loss of that dog was harder than any other I have experienced (I am a lifetime dog owner). People around me took the attitude of buck up, it is just a dog, which I think was more commonly prescribed back then, and did me no favors. Don’t minimize how you feel and talk to a professional if you are open to it.

Grief is grief. And to add on that the trauma of this event, I would absolutely go see a grief counselor if I were you.

OP, I had a similar event with a cat as a child. It haunted me for years, still does, 40 years later.

At the time, what got me through it was getting another cat from a kill shelter (one day away from being killed too). The cat was scared and took a lot of time and energy and was just so darn cute. And I rationalized that my cat had to die for the shelter cat to live. There are a lot of dogs in kill shelters. I know you probably don't feel like you have it in you, but in a week or so you might.

Just a thought and sending good vibes.

I'm so sorry!! I can't even begin to imagine your pain.

Awww, I am so sorry. that is such a huge fear of mine. When I was a child, our cat got out and although I didn't see it, I heard it as I was putting my shoes on to go catch her. Seeing her is an image I can't get out of my head but you do move on and the pain does lessen. I agree with talking to a priest, rabbi, animal loving friend. Try not to blame yourself, it was an accident and dogs just dont have the sense to stay out of the road.

I’m so sorry, OP. You loved your dog. Accidents happen, it’s part of being human and all we can do is move forward as best as we can. It might help to see a grief therapist to help you through the loss and trauma.

This happened to my son's dog too. He was crushed. You aren't alone. He still grieves the loss of his dog.

I am so sorry! Hugs!

I am so sorry, OP. Allow yourself to grieve and process your feelings. It is perfectly normal to feel this way.

Allow yourself to grieve. Allow yourself to feel the guilt. It is process, yes, and it will feel like forever to get through, but it is all part of being human and loving a pet.

Have you tried writing your thoughts down in a journal? Articulating your emotions can help.

Im so sorry.
You have every right to feel completely traumatized and need time to grieve as you see fit.

I'm really sorry, OP. Don't minimize this; you experienced a trauma. I would seek out a therapist. Even a few sessions.