I Witnessed Something Awful and I've Been Crying All Night.

calypso*a*go-go

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I was walking my dog around 5pm tonight when this cute little terrier started following us. I wasn't sure who he belonged to or where we came from but he would not turn around and go back the other direction. He was very friendly and would come up to me but quickly dart away when I tried to read his dog tags. This continued for several blocks.

Anyway, as were approaching the main road that goes through the subdivision, I was finally able to get a phone number off his tags. As I was on my cell phone leaving a message for the owner the dog pulled away and ran right out into the street and was hit by a car. The driver wasn't speeding or anything but the way the dog came from the side, I don't think she even saw him until it was too late. I was only a few feet away but there was nothing I could do to stop it. It was horrible...like everything was moving in slow motion.

The worst part about this was the message I left...I was basically saying my name and that I hoped they got the message soon as I wanted to make sure the dog got home okay and then without thinking I say: "OMG, he just got hit by a car!". It's like I completely forgot I was on the phone and I feel so bad, like I made the owners a witness to it or something.

The poor thing died almost immediately and the two girls in the vehicle that hit him were just devastated. I called 911 because I really didn't know what else to do. They asked me a few questions about the incident and I gave them the phone number that was on the dog tag. They gave me the name of a vet that handles emergencies like this, but I felt 99.9% sure it was too late.

Another one of my neighbors came up to help and we carried him from the road to the grass. At this time someone said they thought they knew who the owner was and ran off towards their house. It was just a minute or two until the owner drove up and ran over to the dog. He was crying (as were most of us). He carefully picked up his dog and left. I still can't believe this happened.

I have gone over it in my head time and time again and think about the things I could have done differently...maybe I should have turned around and walked him back towards the area he first started following us but it was raining and I was trying to get home, or maybe I should have just picked him up and carried him back to my house. I just feel so badly for the owners. I did call the phone number back and left another message that I was terribly sorry about what happened and the way I handled the previous call.

I just can't seem to quit thinking about this and I know it probably doesn't belong on this board, but so many of us are animal lovers and I just wanted to remind everyone to keep their doors shut and the gate closed as tragedies like this can happen in an instant.

Also, make sure the contact information on your pet's tags are up to date. This poor little dog didn't have an address on his tag and the phone number was a different area code than the city we live in. It was just coincidence that someone walking by recognized the dog.
 
I am so sorry you went through this.

You did everything you did out of a kind heart.

Don't blame yourself for anything.

Write down all the different things you could have done on paper and take them and rip them up. After you rip them up, move on. Blaming yourself serves no purpose other then to make you suffer. I know it is easier said then done, but I do this with all my "If Onlys' in my life and once they are torn up, there is no more "What Ifs".
 
That's awful that this happened and that you had to see it happen. I'm not sure there is much you could have done differently. It just hurts my heart when these kinds of things happen.

I know that dogs escape from yards. I've had one escape and she was never found. And 4 years later I still feel quilty. So I feel terrible for the dog's owner since his tears obviously mean the dog was loved.
 
So sorry you witness that, its certainly stays with you.

I cried for a week when we had to have our hamster put to sleep, and people couldnt understand, I felt awful for taking a life.
 

How terrible. I'm so sorry you had to witness that (and sorry for the doggie and his family :( ). It doesn't sound like there was much you could have done differently, though. Honestly I think it's more than most people would have done to even try to get the number to phone; I'm sure it'll be some comfort to the owners that a total stranger was trying so hard to look out for their pet. Try not to beat yourself up over what ifs. :hug:
 
Awe I am so sorry this happened. :grouphug: Please know you did do all you could and more.

I witnessed a dog get hit in front of my house. My DD was only 4-5 and the dog was injured and bleeding and breathing heavy... not good. I was taught not to go near and injured animal, as they can bite and attack when hurt like that. But we did manage to get him onto the grass and on a blanket and looked- no id tag. The dog hospital came and got him, he wasnt looking good. Never found out more. BUT I was so mad that I had to witness that poor dog suffer, and my DD too. I ended up writing to the local paper, "letter to the editor" pleading that people PLEASE PLEASE check their fences, dog tags and such. I felt better that maybe just 1 animal owner took that advice and did that and maybe I saved 1 that way :confused3 .

Don't beat yourself up, you did everything perfect!!!
 
That is so heart wrenching. :hug: You did everything you could. You have gotten some good suggestions here and you know we are here for you if you need more. It will take a little time to get past this - you need to grieve.

I had a similar incident driving home from work one day & I almost hit a woman. It was dark & she was standing in the street. A cat had been hit & she was simply standing there not knowing what else to do. I used my car to protect the scene a little & called the humane society. They came right away, but we had no idea whose cat it was.

It just plain stinks when that which is beyond our control goes down the toilet in front of us.
 
How sad! I understand your tears but there was nothing that you could have done any different. :hug:
 
Oh that is truly awful. I'm so sorry, and hope you are doing OK. There was nothing at all you could have done.
 
I'm sooooo sorry for you and everyone else involved. About 6 months ago, I hit my neighbor's dog who got away from her while on a walk. I was doing less than 20 and he hit my back tire. I was (and still am) devastated.

You did everything right, and it sounds like the girls in the car were driving properly. Prayers and hugs coming from NJ for you :grouphug:

--Michelle
 
Oh, Lisa, I'm so sorry that happened! Nothing you did was wrong, and it most certainly was not your fault. Terrible things sometimes happen. It's okay to cry about it, just try not to dwell upon it.
 
:hug: I'm so sorry that this has happened. You tried to help the dog. Keep reminding yourself of that.:hug:
 
:hug:

It wasn't your fault, you did more than enough to help!

It must of been terrible for you!
 
Calypso,
You have a kind and wonderful spirit. That's why it's upsetting you so. In today's world that is an priceless attribute. I consider myself really fortunate to know some one that's kind and compassionate.

I thank you, I know those 2 young ladies in the car thank you and I bet the owners thank you also.
 
So sorry to hear that Lisa. As many have said before it wasn't your fault. Sometimes things like this just happen for no apparent reason.

You did what you thought was right and that is most important.
 
Please don't beat yourself up. You did all you could. The dog kept pulling away when you got close. Who knows what it would have done had you tried to pick him up. You had no way of foreseeing or preventing what happened.

This is just a very sad case of a dog getting out. You went above and beyond in trying to help the little guy. :hug:
 
I know you must be feeling horrible right now but as others have said you did all you could have done. Things happen we have no control over. It's a very sad loss.
 















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