OMG I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO Sorry

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bellaandme

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My air-conditioner went out yesterday. My friend was kind enough to invite me and Bella over to her house to stay until it was repaired. I love her house! It's huge and beautiful. She shares it with her little gerbil guy Solomon...a real cutie.
We had the guest room which overlooks the spacious backyard. It's full of trees, flowers, birds and all of our RB kitties that are resting in peace there.
I didn't think it was necessary to introduce Bella and Solomon--we weren't going to be there long and I didn't want to stress Solomon out.
But as soon as we got settled, here comes my friend, into the room holding Solomon. She said she thought Bella should socialize with other species (what kind of crap is that? She does! Me). I said I didn't think it wise to try "socializing" her with a creature she sees as prey.
This morning, after my friend had gone to work, Bella and I shared a little quality time out on the screened in front porch. After a few minutes she wanted to go back in so we went in together. I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and she headed upstairs. I stopped mid way through my rinsing when I heard a terrible, low growling noise. OMG!!! Solomon!!!!
Surely my friend had made sure he was safe in his cage before she left!!! I flew up the steps-two at a time--into Solomon's room.
All I saw was Bella with a mouthful of gerbil!!!!!!!!! . I tried coaxing Bella to let go and she finally did. I thought I could at least put his little body into a box so we could bury him later. Unfortunately the only thing left is the tail.
I feel TERRIBLE about this. So now I'm waiting for her to come home so I can break this to her. I don't want to call her and tell her this over the phone.
As I wait, I'm thinking about going to Petsmart and buying her another gerbil--I'm not thinking very clearly right now.
WISH ME LUCK GUYS
p.s. I'm not going through with the Petsmart idea
 

kailie

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Oh no, wow!
Surely your friend will understand. She knew Bella was in the house and really should have been more careful to make sure Solomon was safe.

Vibes to you hun that she understands it was a terrible accident.
 
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bellaandme

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Originally Posted by Kailie

Oh no, wow!
Surely your friend will understand. She knew Bella was in the house and really should have been more careful to make sure Solomon was safe.

Vibes to you hun that she understands it was a terrible accident.
You're a sweetheart. Thanks!! I was in shock-now I'm in tears.
 

keycube

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Wow, where does one begin, eh?


Remember that you weren't given any special instructions or anything with Bella. You couldn't have known. Not that it's ever a good time to point fingers with a tragedy like this, but just remember that it was all a terrible misunderstanding likely due to the introduction of an atypical situation. Stuff happens.


You have a good friend that cared enough to help you and Bella out. I suspect she'll be just as heartbroken for you due to the fact that she fears you'll be bearing a massive burden of guilt. Just be there for one another.
 

larussa

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Oh how awful for you and Solomon. Don't blame yourself, this was NOT your fault. It was up to your friend to make sure Solomon was safe as someone else mentioned. I do hope your friend will understand and if she is ok with it, offer to take her to adopt another gerbil. So sorry for this tragedy.
 

dave_ph

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Originally Posted by Bellaandme

You're a sweetheart. Thanks!! I was in shock-now I'm in tears.
Oh come on. You really think I'm not rolling on the floor laughing about this.

In a few weeks you will too.

At the worst you've lost a friend but gained a hilarious story. And Bella had a treat.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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OMG, what a situation. Poor Solomon! Poor your friend. Poor YOU! All you can do is tell her how sorry you are and offer to get her a new furbaby. I wouldn't mention anything right now about how she should have made sure he was locked up in his cage or anything. I think that would only make matters worse, because then it will make HER feel guilty too!

I'll be anxious to hear how things go when she gets home.
 

ruthyb

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Oh dear, maybe your friend should have realized that cats and vermin don't really mix and not much can make them want to "get to know and hang out" with other species. It is sad but also I have had a chuckle (sorry) my mother in law gave us a canary once and it was a very beautiful but noisy bird, somehow one of the cats managed to open the cage door and all that was left was a leg on the floor. I am sure your friend will get over the shock, good luck. x
 
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bellaandme

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Ok listen, I broke the news to her...and as I was trying to explain the events leading up to the "murder" of Solomon...I started giggling...and couldn't stop. Really, I thought I was going to wet my pants. It didn't help that
(as I was trying to express my apology) Bella was sitting on the back of the couch all puffed up with pride. She is quite pleased with herself. She looks like a lioness that just took down a heard of buffalo to feed her family.
I am sorry, though, I am an animal lover. I am sure she will get over it. I put the "remains" (his tail) in a tiny box and offered to say a prayer.
Well, I certainly hope my air conditioner gets fixed ASAP so I can take Bella The Gerbil Killer back home. She totally cheated on her diet today!!!
 

carolina

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OMG, that's awful, but I got to say, I couldn't help but to laugh... I know... I must be a horrible person, must be something wrong with me... but... What can I say?
How did she take it? OMG I hope she was not too attached to him

Poor Bella, was just trying to get her momma a gift, and now look what she did! At least you know your girl is a good huntress!
 

cheylink

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Originally Posted by Bellaandme

Ok listen, I broke the news to her...and as I was trying to explain the events leading up to the "murder" of Solomon...I started giggling...and couldn't stop. Really, I thought I was going to wet my pants. It didn't help that
(as I was trying to express my apology) Bella was sitting on the back of the couch all puffed up with pride. She is quite pleased with herself. She looks like a lioness that just took down a heard of buffalo to feed her family.
I am sorry, though, I am an animal lover. I am sure she will get over it. I put the "remains" (his tail) in a tiny box and offered to say a prayer.
Well, I certainly hope my air conditioner gets fixed ASAP so I can take Bella The Gerbil Killer back home. She totally cheated on her diet today!!!
Obviously she wasn't to devastated? I know that if it was my gerbil, I wouldn't take the news kindly, but then again I don't think I would have ever left any possibility of this happening. I can see how this could be somewhat funny, but considering it was a friends pet, I would have a hard time encouraging my kitties bragging rights..........Both of you set up a bad situation, and as long as your friend isn't devastated with loosing Solomon, then I guess it is a lesson learned at the expense of what was a terrifying death for Solomon. Sorry to sound so harsh, but I don't think I could ever let something like this happen.........
 

ruthyb

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Originally Posted by Bellaandme

Ok listen, I broke the news to her...and as I was trying to explain the events leading up to the "murder" of Solomon...I started giggling...and couldn't stop. Really, I thought I was going to wet my pants. It didn't help that
(as I was trying to express my apology) Bella was sitting on the back of the couch all puffed up with pride. She is quite pleased with herself. She looks like a lioness that just took down a heard of buffalo to feed her family.
I am sorry, though, I am an animal lover. I am sure she will get over it. I put the "remains" (his tail) in a tiny box and offered to say a prayer.
Well, I certainly hope my air conditioner gets fixed ASAP so I can take Bella The Gerbil Killer back home. She totally cheated on her diet today!!!
Oh no
could that have gone any worse
what was her reaction? As you are still there I am guessing that she hasn't kicked you out
x
 

larussa

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"I put the "remains" (his tail) in a tiny box and offered to say a prayer."

Oh now that line cracked me up, I had not giggled at all before this
RIP Solomon, sorry your trip to the Bridge wasn't as easy as others before you.
 

darlili

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Oh, poor Solomon, poor friend, poor you - although a lot of people, under stress and emotion, do sometimes end up acting a little inappropriate - like laughing when you really weren't planning on that at all.

How is your friend - I wonder if you might not only volunteer to pay for any new gerbil she may want, but perhaps make a donation to an animal charity in Solomon's memory?
 

catmom2wires

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I'm sorry, but I don't see how a cat could find, kill and eat all but the tail of a gerbil in the time it takes one to brush one's teeth. Cats usually take quite a while to even kill their prey and Bella had to find, open a cage and grab it, too. Something just seems strange about this....

Poor Solomon.
 

swampwitch

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I'm pretty horrified that so many people think this is funny. What if the tables were turned and the friend had a dog who preyed on cats? Not so funny!

I don't know how your friend took this, but our 3 chickens were killed by a negligent pet sitter (didn't close the door and raccoons killed them) and I still have a difficult time thinking about it and the terror our pets went through, and that was 6 years ago. I know what happened wasn't intentional, no accident ever is, but that doesn't make the end result any less painful.

This was not your friend's fault! She offered her home to you out of kindness, you were in charge, and if you weren't staying there, this would not have happened. I'm sorry, but it's your fault, and I hope you tell her that a few times.

If I were you, I would go out of my way to try to make this up to her. Saying sorry is not enough if you are responsible for someone's pet's death. And definitely don't tell her you will replace her gerbil thinking that will fix things. Think of the reverse scenario again, would another cat replace yours?

I hope this doesn't destroy your friendship but I would not be surprised if it does.
 

ut0pia

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Originally Posted by cheylink

Obviously she wasn't to devastated? I know that if it was my gerbil, I wouldn't take the news kindly, but then again I don't think I would have ever left any possibility of this happening. I can see how this could be somewhat funny, but considering it was a friends pet, I would have a hard time encouraging my kitties bragging rights..........Both of you set up a bad situation, and as long as your friend isn't devastated with loosing Solomon, then I guess it is a lesson learned at the expense of what was a terrifying death for Solomon. Sorry to sound so harsh, but I don't think I could ever let something like this happen.........
I agree...I couldn't find this funny either.
If a friend of mine let that happen to one of my pets, I might forgive them eventually but it would be difficult. But, if they did that and started giggling while telling me about it, I would probably be so mad and I would see it as disrespecting the poor gerbil who went through such a horrible death.
RIP Solomon
 

mrblanche

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I wonder...is it possible that Bella got the tail but not the gerbil? It doesn't hurt to hope, I guess...
 
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bellaandme

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Originally Posted by darlili

Oh, poor Solomon, poor friend, poor you - although a lot of people, under stress and emotion, do sometimes end up acting a little inappropriate - like laughing when you really weren't planning on that at all.

How is your friend - I wonder if you might not only volunteer to pay for any new gerbil she may want, but perhaps make a donation to an animal charity in Solomon's memory?
This is an idea that I like very much!!!! She doesn't want another gerbil--she wants a bird. So we are going to the store later and getting her a bird. I'm going to buy which ever one she wants. But making a donation to an animal charity is an excellent idea!! Thanks for suggesting it!! It will be my friend's choice of charity.
She is still sad and I feel bad for my giggle outburst.
I'm going back home later--my air conditioner has been fixed.
 
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