RIP Marley and Bean

[urockstar]

I'm still in shock that this happened. My pigs Marley and Bean both died yesterday, because of another pet. I've had them almost four years. I moved from NJ to TX with them, been here 6 months now. Have one dog, but just got a second one a little over a month ago. He's a puppy, but already pretty big and a Pointer mix (hunting breed) -- I have my 2x5 c&c cage on a folding table against the wall, there was no way he could've knocked it down even though he would jump up against it and I would tell him to get down. Stupidly I put Christmas lights around the bottom part of the cage the other day, and didn't even THINK about this being a problem with my puppy. Unfortunately, it ended up being the reason for their death, and I feel atrocious. I came home yesterday to find Bean dead on the living room floor, and (sorry this is graphic) Marley half eaten in my bedroom. Clearly he must've jumped against the cage, got his paw stuck on the Christmas lights on the way down, and pulled the cage off the table that way. The table was still standing, it hadn't been knocked over. Talking about it, writing about it, I'm still in disbelief and feel so terrible. I took really good care of them, had them since December 2007 ... I never would've in a million years thought this would happen. - And I can't even blame my dog, I blame myself, and feel totally irresponsible. I was afraid to post this update on them here because of others who would confirm my irresponsibility. It was the most unpleasant thing to come home to, and it's going to take me a long time to forget, if ever. I was crying for so long last night.

RIP, Marley and Bean, I'm so very sorry this happened to you. You were amazing little friends and I loved you very much. I'm so sorry.

[Onetwo]

Awww so sorry for your loss. A few years ago I had an aquarium with a mouse in it that my son got. Some how my cat managed to knock the books that were wedged against the sides, wiggle his way between the back of the cage and the back of the bookcase and knock it onto the floor. Can't change animals instincts. Just have to think about the ways that they work and make sure that everything is safe for everyone. Good luck.

[Kelsie]

My deepest sympathy on your loss. There's nothing to gain by blaming yourself. May Marley and Beans rest in peace. Please take comfort in the fact that you gave them 4 wonderful years.

[Cogni]

Poor little ones. They have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and are safe for all time (I think the dogs are on a completely different cloudbank).
I know it will take some time for you to get over the shock and grief of such an unimaginable event. I am glad you shared so that we could all be warned that the unimaginable can sometimes happen, so we have to sharpen up our imaginations for what might possibly go wrong with our set-up (or whatever), so we can protect our babies better.

[kathlaaron]

I am so very very sorry that this awful accident happened. As tears fill my eyes for you over this terrible loss, I wish I could give you a warm hug during this heartbreaking time, of great sorrow and grief.

Thank you for your bravery in sharing your story of what happened to you, so that we all can learn from this terrible lesson, to make sure that we do all that is necessary, in keeping our piggies safe. For if any of us have dogs or cats, to be sure to have a closed cage.

Again, my deepest sympathies, and prayers during this heart-wrenching time. I am so so sorry.

[pinky]

I'm so sorry.... I would never have even imagined that something like that would have happened. It sounds like you really thought out the setup to keep them safe so don't blame yourself. How sad......

[Duffinvt]

I am so very sorry for your loss, but agree you are brave and kind to share here so that others might learn from your heartbreaking event. I cannot imagine your sorrow, but please know that others care. I hope in time your memories of Marley and Bean will be of the good times, the fun times.

Keep in mind this was an accident and not your fault. You loved and cared for your dear pets well and lost them to something you did not forsee. Please forgive yourself as accidents do happen.

[ojars]

My condolences on the loss of the little guys.

[Paula]

So sorry to hear this happened.

It's good to hear, and very important, that you don't blame the dog. As OneTwo said, instincts are instincts. I know of someone who had a similar thing happen with her rats and she was so upset with the dog (who had been her pet for 8 years) that shortly thereafter she took him to a shelter; and another, more recently, whose dog killed her three male pigs when she left for the evening that insists the dog only did it because he was "mad at her" and has proceeded to get more pigs without taking any precautions whatsoever with the dog. My point is, don't beat yourself up, but do learn from the mistake and take necessary steps to ensure the safety of all your pets in the future.

Take care, and again, I'm so sorry to hear of this tragic loss.

[Deb's4Pigs]

Unfortunately you can't think of everything. You try and try. There's no way you could have even imagined this could happen.

I'm sorry this happened to you. I know you will blame yourself for a long time anyway. It was an accident.

[C. Cole-Chakotay]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[urockstar]

Thanks, everyone. I just still can't even believe it happened. It's like some terrible nightmare. It feels like all the time I spent on them, keeping them protected and everything was for nothing, with them having their lives ended like that. So terrible.

Avoid Christmas lights/decorative things on cages at all costs if you have a dog that jumps! Ugh.