He died in the palm of my hand...

[Bluebonnet Herp]

So far the only animal(s) I have killed were 2 mice. I had transferred the young 3 week old mice to another cage, and didn't pay attention to the type of water nozzle that was attached to the automatic dispenser. I didn't notice it was the "adult mouse only" kind, and that the babies were dwarf sized due to a problem with their mother's milk. It was about the saddest thing I've ever seen, and knowing it was my fault was pretty rotten...

I've killed an untold number of rats and mice in my lifetime, but that's for a more obvious reason.
I think most, if not all of us, have had to learn the real responsibilities of animal ownership at the cost of an animal's well being or life at some point in time. I've had hamsters before I kept any other 'exotics', and one in particular, my last one, taught me a point in respecting living beings and that they aren't toys. After a rough-housing incident which ended up breaking his back, I've had the gut wrenching guilt that let me know I screwed up real bad. There was a lesson I found in that, and I've treated every animal I've had since with more respect and handled them more gently. So although you did bring that small life to a tragic and brutal end, hopefully you'll see the light in that a learn a lesson to respect the needs and well being of another living being.