Broken hearted.

[beloved]

I've always loved snails but only recently got any as pets. It started out by accident when I accidentally caught a small brown garden snail in the hinged lid of my Hedgehog feeder and brought it indoors to recover. Later named Pandora and almost fully recovered now. But this led to my acquiring more; I now have 3 brown garden snails: Pandora, Ailie and Phoebe, along with two glass snails: Elodie and Naeva and lastly had two yellow white lipped snails: Etienne and Eloise. I realised I'd not seen much of Etienne and Eloise for the past two days (especially Etienne) but, was not unduly surprised as they, more than the other five like to be deep in the plastic flowerpot bed I've created for them or holed away. (I found them together in my garden buried when clearing to install a composter). Whenever I clear the debris of stale food from the respective tanks I'm so scrupulous to ensure that there are no snails within food. To be honest, as they are nocturnal I'd vied away from disturbing them to do a head count when clearing, and this was my mistake. One I regret so deeply, I'm crying as I write this. Etienne died an awful death and I caused it. Earlier I went to the composter and saw a dead snail.  My heart sank as the colouration of Etienne and Eloise is less common and I just knew it was Etienne.  I rushed back indoors to do a head count and it was my lovely Etienne.  Despite the fact I checked so carefully both when removing the food and also when putting into the composter, he must of been deeply tucked away asleep so did not move until night when I would not of seen him to rescue him yesterday.  So I found him today but it was too late, he was gone, he had tried to rescue himself climbing the inside wall of the composter.  Now, even though I'll not like disturbing them I will just to ensure all are present and correct.  I even leave the removed food in a open jug for hours (just in case) & keep checking before transporting it to the composter, but as I said he must have been asleep so buried deep and not moving at the time.  Obviously, I love all my snails but have a special fondness for Pandora, Eloise and Etienne (who I think were related). I am utterly heartbroken both for Etienne and Eloise and for me, I feel so guilty.

[violet]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You clearly care deeply for your snails and would never do anything to intentionally hurt them. Accidents are just that - accidental! You are a good person, with good intentions. It was your caring and respecting these wonderful creatures that led you down this upsetting path. I know this guilt will maybe stay with you for a long time, but sometimes we have to learn new ways of doing things, and sometimes we learn it the hardest way possible. I recently had a tragedy whereby I lost 2 of my little guys. It was hot weather so I gave my guys some watermelon. When I got back from work, it had been so hot that the watermelon had disintegrated. It didn't really affect the big tank, but my "Inensive care" tank was flooded. My first, and most cherished snail (Hershie) was drowned and floating, a second recently acquired stepped on young snail (shelly) also drowned, a third snail (little Julie) I managed to save by probing her breathing hole with tissue for a few mins. Another snail (big Julie) had managed to cling to the ceiling and was fine. I must say I was devastated by the loss of life. I cried and cried and cried, I felt so bad. But all I can do now is act differently based on what I've learnt so that they didn't die in vain. You must do the same. What we have learnt was painful but will help us save other snails from the same fate in future. Just keep doing your best - it's all anyone can do. Remember - accidents are accidental, and it doesn't make you a bad person, it just means a bad thing happened, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. Stay strong!