A tragic accident

[Big Red TJ]

So sorry for your loss, as others have stated it happens to the best of us. It was an accident and these things happen, tell Brandon it will be ok. The loss of a pet is never easy. Regards Matt

 

[becca81]

This happens to everyone - even the most meticulous and careful adult can do it!

We've all had to learn lessons like these - for me, it was "don't try to juggle the vials of slings, tweezers of roaches, and containers of water at the same time."

 

[Spyder 1.0]

Indeed a truely tragic accident, but a valuable life lession will come from it. Hopefully.

 

[Miss Bianca]

Very sorry for your family's loss Rob.
I really hope your boy can get over his pain and feelings of guilt soon,
although it'll take a while since he was quite attached...
(I have an 11yr old that OMG I know would be horribly
devastated in the worse way with something like this)

Everything will be ok.

I hope this thread helps him.

 

[wedge07]

That really sucks Rob. I wouldn't worry about it Brandon stuff like that can happen to anyone. I left my bedroom door open while I was away from my house when I was about 15 and the cats got in my room and found Rocky my 6" B. smithi. I had this guy for ages. They knocked his enclosure over and pretty much played with him to death. I was pretty tore up about the whole thing. I was pretty good about keeping the cats out of my room. Those cats were always very interested in him. They would hop up on my shelf to watch him. After that I knew I needed to keep them out of my room. I forgot that one day. The point is everybody forgets, nobody pays attention to everything around them 100% of the time. We are human after all. This stuff happens and you can't beat yourself up because of it. You just have to learn from it and keep your chin up.

 

[Flower]

Tell your son that it isn't his fault. Even adults make mistakes -- Flower died because my boyfriend dropped the enclosure when moving it -- the door hit his arm and the enclosure went flying. I was devastated, and he felt really bad. Give your son a big hug for me, and sorry for your loss.

 

[Agent Jones]

It's impossible to be the most cautious person on earth 24/7, all of us have our clumsy days or days where we THINK we don't care because, hey, nothing bad will happen, right? None of us are perfect and mistakes will continue to happen all of our lives. Don't eat yourself up over it, a LOT worse could have happened - always remember that and focus on that.

 

[DreadLobster]

Man that sucks.

Accidents happen though. I've had more close calls than I can count... and I have under 20 tarantulas... With as many as you guys have, I would think its pretty much unavoidable for something to go wrong every now and then.

 

[robc]

I don't know where to start.....you guys/gals are just simply awesome!, Brandon will love these replies....I think it will help......he is realy upset about it......he does know it wasn't his fault. I gave him a example of about 2 weeks ago I was packing up a ornata, I went to put the lid on the vial and accidently crushed it....I felt horrible as well!

Thank you everyone, this means a lot to me and my family.

 

[Nokturnal1980]

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident, Brandon. Also, I'm sorry for the loss to your family.

We just had an accident here as well. On Monday, I was doing routine maintenance and everything had gone fine for the first 41 tarantulas I worked with. On the final one, I was closing the lid after refilling the water dish and the 1 inch king baboon darted with suprising speed the lid came down right on top of him. It was mortifying. I tried to stop the bleeding but there was nothing I could do for the little guy, he died in a matter of seconds. I'm 27 and I sobbed like a newborn for hours, I still feel horrid about it.

It happens to us all. Keep your head up!

 

[Moultmaster]

My condolences to you and yours Rob. Unfortunately, as animal keepers, we deal with death more often than those who don't have any pets. When I was your son's age I saw many animals die and I was devastated every time. To this day I feel bad every time I see an animal die. I know sometimes it feels like you don't want to be around animals any more when this happens but quite to the contrary, that's the best thing you can do. Surrounding yourself with other healthy, lively animals, watching other animals producing new life (eggsacs for instance) really makes one feel not only happy again but helps one appreciate the whole cycle of life. And not just our animals we keep in the home, but observing animals in the wild. Perhaps a good way for someone Brandon's age to appreciate the life/death cycle is to spend some time watching ladybugs eat aphids. Yes the aphids are dying but in their death they are giving rise to new life, the life of the ladybug and it's offspring.
The most important thing for Brandon to realize is it's not his fault, it was an accident. If he still feels like that he can always raise a few more slings on his own and it will feel like he is giving back to nature what he feels he took away. Hope this helps.

 

[kaydyn1512]

Brandon, accidents happen--this wasn't your fault!!!

Rob, I can't even begin to tell you how heart broken I was when I saw this. I am so sorry for your loss. I know how difficult this must be for Brandon but as a parent it is almost worse because you want to protect them from any emotional pain. As my kids have grown there have been may accidents that I have had to make better. Sometimes the best way to give them solice to show how it couldn't be helped (did you do it on purpose, did you plan it,?) Things just happen, it sucks, it will make you cry sometimes BUT he did NOTHING wrong. Hugs, kisses and loads of reassurance will give him confidence and the knowledge that he did nothing wrong. I'm so sorry for your daughter as well. Please give your family my heartfelt condolences.

 

[Hilikus311]

Rip

Im a little choked up writing this. . .wow this brings back memories of my first T that i lost along time ago. . .It is one of the mysteries of the universe why accidents happen, but the important thing to remember is that they do. Definatly won't be the last time either sadly

 

[2bears]

Accident

Brandon Im sure your upset, and feeling bad.
I was 7 yrs old when I started keeping snakes, now its 45 yrs later.
I encourage you to listen to your parents as its not your fault, its sad but when you keep animals accidents will happen, the important part is its clear you have a interest in these wonderfull creatures so please.....dont let this discourage you,all we can do is learn from it and continue.
They had a wonderfull life, be thankful for the time you had with them.
Im looking forward to seeing that bright smile back on a video with Dad.
Brandon spend time with dad and learn all you can, its young people like you that will carry on, when old timers like me pass on.
Hang in there.
Twobears

 

[SCORPIONNOOB]

Its very unfortunate that this had to happen because it seems your whole family loves T's. Accidents happen to the best of us like everyone has said. Its just a great thing to know that such a passion for a hobby can be achieved and it truly shows how much your kids cared for the T's as well as everyone who has ever lost one and felt a deep loss. My condolences goes out to you and your daughter and son

 

[samatwwe]

Sorry for your loss Rob! Everything has its time! It must have just been there time.

 

[robc]

Thanks guys! We all really appreicate all the kind thoughts! Brandon has seen the replies and has asked if he can do a Versicolor update with me tonight - we have a new sac! He's doing better today and knows that it was just a terrible accident...

 

[whitewolf]

Sorry for your loss little ones. Accidents happen though. It was just an accident.

 

[Rindy]

Brandon, the fact that you are broken up over this shows what kind of person you are, you have a kind heart. A person with a kind heart does not kill his sister's pet on purpose. I don't even know you but I know it was an accident. I am sure your sister knows this too. It will always hurt both of you when you think about this, but as time passes it will hurt less often.
It sounds like you are doing the best thing you can to heal by being involved with other projects. Take care, peace to you both-

 

[wedge07]

Thanks guys! We all really appreicate all the kind thoughts! Brandon has seen the replies and has asked if he can do a Versicolor update with me tonight - we have a new sac! He's doing better today and knows that it was just a terrible accident...

That's great Rob I am glad the little guy is doing better and now you have more versi's!