likewater; Not being a parent my self, my dog is the closest thing to a child for me. If I don't do what's best for him, or if I do something that hurts him, I feel awful about it. It's that major sense of responsibility and care that makes it so hard to forgive ourselves.

My cousin had a scotch collie names Brandy, sweetest dog ever. Brandy was deaf in her later years, and I guess she was sleeping in the lane near the car and my cousin drove over her snout! It was broken, but after surgery and wiring, thankfully she made it through ok. My cousin felt absolutely terrible. I know several more people who have accidentally hurt or even killed their pets, and it's hard to get over.

Accidents happen, and it's always unfortunate. It's a sickening feeling to hurt something that is entirely dependent on you, and we are too hard on ourselves sometimes.