Hello ladies and gents. I was virtually distraught today, when I learned that my next-door neighbours two small dogs were responsible for chasing down and killing our little girl . I was grateful however, for finally knowing her fate after her being missing for 48 hours. To think it all happened some 50 metres away, and I knew nothing of it and was powerless to help. Tina was first and foremost a house cat, as are most Russian Blue's. Gradually we introduced her to the outside environment, something she was very grateful for and took much pleasure in her little outings. Tina did have a tendency to wander however, but always seemed careful to avoid dogs and traffic in our street. As it was revealed to me, the owner was taking his two small dogs for a walk down to the regional open space some 100 metres away. The dogs were (illegally) not on leashes, and chased after Tina who was at a nearby property. The dogs chased her under a tree (cats go to dark places to hide) where they strangled her (to that effect) before being pulled off by their owner. The neighbour failed to seek veterinary assistance for Tina, and left her there for two days . I am relieved I put out a flyer, else I would not have recovered her body, the thought of which is almost as sickening as the act which led to her death. I do not know how to reconcile the events of that day. With past cats they have died from natural causes; our last cat before Tina (2.5 years ago now), was an 18 year old bi-color female. On the 30th of June I got home at 4pm (Tina's normal curfew time), and decided to let her outside suspecting she may have needed to go to the toilet; her preference. I cannot reconcile this act. That on that day, against my better judgment, I let her out past her curfew and it led to her death. It certainly wasn't the cause, and I had no way of knowing it would produce that outcome, but I did know there was a chance. I have dealt with grief before but nothing like this. I have support, but it only distracts my mind. In the past I have been able to rationalise the death of a pet; she had a good and long life; he had a decent run but was unfortunate in being hit by a car. Are my feelings of guilt in this case irrational? I do not want to be acquitted of blame or responsibility, I just want an unaffected parties perspective. Could you see yourself reaching the same conclusions as I? With a very heavy heart, Trent