Accident.....

[froglips]

Its with a heavy heart that I want to rely this story.

I was driving early this morning, hit and killed a dog on the highway.

I've been replaying it over and over in my head. I did my best to not hit it, but the road was wet, I slid. It was dark, I just caught sight of it in my headlights and slammed on the breaks. I wasn't speeding, or talking on the cell phone.

I stayed with it during its last few moments, which thankfully were without obvious pain.

It broke my heart as the dog wagged its tail as I came over to it.

I was able to call the owner from a number on the name tag.

Many of you may know, I love dogs. My dog means the world to me. This has left me hurting something fierce.

I wanted to share that there was a fine, hopefully beloved dog who met its untimely end this morning. It will be remembered. In what small ways I will be able to, I will honor its memory.

Jim

[boxxmaker]

I can understand how you feel ,heck I feel like crap if I run over a little old squirrel.I dodge dogs about every week up here.DANG people just let em run wild an most of em couldn't care less if they get hurt.

[Mt. Gomer]

Very sorry to hear about his. Our Prayers will be with you and the owners.

[McRabbet]

Jim,

Obviously, any of us would be totally bummed out by what happened, but what's done is over and you shouldn't place all the burden on yourself -- the dog was in the wrong place at the wrong time and you did everything in those split seconds to avoid hitting him. The owner should share more in the circumstance since he allowed his faithful friend out in harms way. We share your angst, but stuff happens. Chin up my friend and move on, since we must.

[Bryan S]

I hate to hear this Jim I have become a good bit tenderhearted toward animals especially when you know they are someones pet. You did every thing you could do.

[flatheadfisher]

I know that hurts. It is really sad that dog "owners" allow their charges to get into the road. Even the best drivers can't avoid them sometimes. I tried once - flipped my car in the process. I'd do it again but it still bothers me when dogs are allowed access to a road...

[Bas]

My heart broke just reading about it. So sorry.

[b4man]

Your story confirms a decision I made a few weeks ago. I had a 4 year old Weimaraner, the love of my life, who jumped a 5 foot energized fence with an electric shock collar. Her MO was probably a squirrel. I live on a very busy street and time and again when she got out I would be scared to death she'd get hit. When she escaped the last time I had visions of a car swerving to miss her, hitting another car or a phone poll. I knew there was no more I could do to keep her safe as well as the drivers on my road. So I sent her to live in the country where there are no fences and no fast traffic.

I'm thankful you weren't hurt. I'm thankful the dog didn't suffer. I'm sick about the entire ordeal but I'm equally proud of you for stopping. Be kind to yourself.

Barbara

[woodArtz]

So sorry to hear about the accident. We know how much you care about our four legged friends. You hang in there man. You did all you could and more.

[Trent Mason]

Jim,

I'm really sorry to hear about that. I've run over all kinds of things, but one day a few years ago, I hit a dog and it ruined me for a day or two. The one I hit had no collar so there was no one to contact for me. At least you were able to let the owner know and you did everything you could to avoid it.

I'm going to be a little bold here and say that generally, I don't swerve to try and miss many things on the road. I'd rather not put my life or the lives of anyone else in danger by causing an accident trying to dodge something. It is an unfortunate thing that happens to all of us at times and we just have to be strong and move on. I'm really sorry to hear about that though, but you did everything you could. Hang in there man.




PS: I was in the mountains last weekend and I can't tell you how many dogs I saw walk out into the road. If you ask me, the pet's owners need to take more responsibility for their pets. Sorry, hope that wasn't in bad taste. Delete if necessary.

[LeftyTom]

You did all you could do, Jim. You stayed with the dog in its final moments, and you called the owner to let them know.

[Splint Eastwood]

Jim,

Your a good man! You did the most decent thing you could, and that is to stop be with, and call owner.

Hang in there!

Matt

[dpsnyder]

above and beyond, Jim. Just like everything else you put your hand to. Sorry to hear about this, and I know how much dogs mean to you. But you did all you could. Least you were able to talk to the owner, I am sure that meant a lot to them as well.

Dan

[Mike Davis]

I was riding with my wife and all our kids were in the back of the van when this dog ran out and hit the car. I thought it was hurt so we stopped and the dog was running away, I looked at the car and the door was dented a little. So I went up to the yard where the dog had gone and this lady was looking around for the dog, I still thought it was hurt and wanted to apologize to the lady, she seemed very upset.

Well, it turned out she was mad at the dog for digging in her yard and had chased it out into the street. When I heard that i blew up. You could have killed somebody chasing a dog out in front of a car! She didn't even care that she caused damage to our car or that our kids could have been hurt.

[ScottM]

Jim, I know how you felt. It is not your fault. You did the right thing doing all you could. You are a real gentleman.