Feeling horrible

Well I’ve done it. And I feel so guilty I can’t stand it. Yesterday evening my dogs, Dumb and Dumber (affectionate nicknames, Honest.) found a rabbit’s nest (warren) and inside were extremely tiny babies. The oldest dog, Cochise, loves to play with anything he can get into his mouth. A tiny rabbit qualifies. Well my DD had the dogs outside and found Cochise and our younger dog, Bo, playing with something and when she got the dog to release she got the baby, still alive, but obviously scared to death.

She brings this little thing into the house, tears in her eyes. “Mom, fix it.” She’s fourteen and while she is beginning to think mom is a pita it’s nice to know she still believes I can work miracles.

We put our beasts up and proceeded to search the yard for the nest. Finding it we discovered four more tiny babies. I explained to her that babies need their moms. If their eyes had been open I’d have brought them inside to try and care for. But at this stage of the game they need mom. I placed him back inside and recovered the nest and prayed that the little ones would be ok.

This morning before I let the monsters out I went to check on the nest. I’d planned to set up a small fence that mom could get in but big muzzles couldn’t. I was too late. Mom never came back (not sure if she couldn’t or wouldn’t. The babies were all dead. Dd still doesn’t know yet as I’m letting her sleep in.

I know that I had I brought them in they probably wouldn’t have made it, but at least I would’ve tried. When I was DD’s age my grandfather had cut hay and bailed it running over a rabbit warren in the process. All but one was killed and he brought me the little one to care for. His eyes were open and he was able to eat both puppy formula and greens. He grew up and we released Thumper back into the wild. These guys were so small…even though logic tells me I’m not to blame, I still feel guilty as sin. And once DD learns of the demise of the wee ones I know she is going to blame me as well.

The only good thing is it inspired a story so I’m making notes to use at a later date. Of course in the story the little ones will make it. I wish I could go back and give it a shot to save the babies but trying to let momma do her job was probably the best thing.

Guilt. Pure, unadulterated guilt. It sucks.

I’m off to work and try to figure out how I’m going to break the news to DD…

Huggles until next time,
Donica