We hit a dog

((((((((((Huge hugs)))))))))))

That's sooo scary. One of my worst fears is hitting a dog. I hope that you're feeling a little better, now.

Why us??? Why OUR car???? ............. Im so sorry .

Amy, honey - I am just catching this thread.  I have to tell you, a very similar thing happened to me last spring.  I was by myself, it was dark on the road and there was no seeing him until he was 2 feet in front of my car.  Less than a minute of me hitting him, a truck ran over the body and I was actually thankful in this horrible sense because it meant whatever suffering was happening, was over quickly by that second truck.  It was absolute hysterics for me.  I mean, my own dog was in the car and my trunk was stuffed with blankets and donations for the dog shelter, literally. Of all people for it to happen to... is what everyone said to me.

I came to this conclusion.  I was a conduit.  That this event had to happen in this poor dog's life; in the life of whatever family owned him; or for whatever other reason.  But for it to happen through someone who LOVES dogs and who would cherish that life and mourn its death like he was my own.  That as horrible as it was for me, that it was actually some kind of other worldly reason (blessing?) that his death came not at the hands of some heartless person who would have just left him there to die.

I bawled my face off for days - I let it all out as much as I could, and then accepted the thought above that it was SUPPOSED to happen that way, and that I could love him through the horrible thing that happened to him, but love him in his death where another might not.

That's the best I can offer, other than a giant hug of TOTAL understanding.  I know EXACTLY where you are coming from.

aww, i'm so sorry that happened! I'm glad that you all are okay though

Sad, sad story, but at the end he was being loved and comforted.

I am so sorry to hear this.
My thoughts go out to all of you.
Please remember this is not your fault, and don't blame yourself.
Im sure that Bailey senses something is wrong, and shes responding to your traumatic state.
I hope you all can calm down soon.
 
{{hugs}}

I know how that feels and my sympathies. i myself accidently hit a dog and i felt terrible. I also have been with many animals that have been hit by cars. I stay with them till they pass on no matter how beat up they are. Kids in my area think its fun to try and hit cats and dogs. they often drive around with a video recorder to prove what they have done

I'm so sorry you had to go through this.  I hit a dog when I was 18 and have never forgotten it, even though there was no alternative.  I was shook up for several days afterward.
 
I also ran completely over a squirrel on the freeway about 10 years ago.  The speed limit on the highways here is 70, which I was doing.  The squirrel darted in front of me at the last minute, but I did not hit it with my tires - it was under my car and I heard the fateful thud.  I looked in my mirror to see it tumble down the highway and then crawl off the road, where I assume it died in the ditch.  I bawled my eyes out.  Silly, I know because I hate the little rodents being on my bird feeders, but it was still one of God's creatures.

Amy,
Last time we took our Bailey to the vet there was a very very sick dog that the vets and techs were working on.   Bailey was growling at them.  She is never like that, loves everyone.  She could definately sense the hurt/sick dog and it was really freaking her out.   Your Bailey is probably doing the same thing.   She'll settle down.   
 
Sorry to hear about the poor pup that was hit.  Just makes us all more aware to keep our dogs on leash, in the yard, etc.

Run free little doggy.

I'm so sorry but i was wondering wat does DH mean?

Oh Amy I'm so sorry that you had to go through that and at least the poor dog didn't suffer even though it still hurts deep down what happen. At least it's running free at the bridge and welcomed by loving faces. Hopefully you and Bailey have calmed down. I send you hugs and comfort.

Demarcus -- dh = dear husband

Amy, I'm just seeing this.  Dearheart I'm so sorry -- but I have to say I feel like Mirandobe ... the 'why' is never easy, but at least this dog won't go unmourned -- and honestly I feel that's important. 
 
Why was the dog loose?  I see dogs by the Interstate all the time and I think what sort of fool leaves their dog loose around here ... don't they care?  And yet the woman on the corner near my house has fits because she can't let her dogs "be free" -- and she goes on and on about it (she's been cited, etc. -- and her dogs aren't always friendly either) -- and the foolish woman lives less than 100 feet from a major major 6 lane commercial highway that's nearly bumper to bumper 24 hours a day (but everyone doing 50+). 
 
My biggest problem when people insiste on letting animals 'be free' which then get killed is that they force the rest of us who DO have a conscience to have to live with the anguish of having killed an animal.
 
Amy you're normal and you're a good person ... I'm just so sorry you had to go thru this.

Ive typed half a page about 4 times in the last few days, and closed the internet explorer on it each time.  Im just a rambling mess.  Ive just been down.  Sort of limp... sort of half way there ya know.  I cant believe how much I am actually grieving this dog.  I had to go to a wedding for DHs cousin last night, we ended up at a friends house after... me on the couch with a blanket staring blankly at the wall with watery eyes.  (These friends are like my brothers since I was 10... so Im at home there).  But still... theyre like "AMY!  What the hells wrong with you?"...   Of course when I tell them they think Im crazy.

I dont know if I wouldve ever thought about it without you alls sentiments but yes, it did feel love before it died.  DH kneeling in the highway petting it and crying and hurting for it... at least it wasnt alone.  I cannot stop crying.  I  cant.  I keep thinking about it and hurting.  It hurts so badly inside.  Ive been trying not to post until I get more okay with it but thats not happening.  

I quit working at the shelter after a chain of events that just wrecked my heart.  I dont guess I ever got around to explaining that you all... but anyway... Im far too effected by things of this nature.  The death of a dog, even a stange dog just rips at me for weeks.  I wasnt even the cause then, it wasnt horrific then either.  It was just sad.  Im trying so hard to look at this the way I know I should... the way you are encouraging me to.  I will soon I hope and it will be because of the help from you guys, thats for sure.

Im glad it was us.  Im glad the dog felt loved at the final stage.  I dreamt last night about it.  Over and over, the dog running in front and the thumps.  Then a dream about me talking to a dog... not that dog (at least it didnt look the same)... I cant believe I remember because I drank a LOT.  

Okay Im not going to delete this message like Ive been doing.  I keep thinking... what if we would have stayed 1 min longer!  What if would have went to a bar which wouldve set us in a different direction? 

I am glad it was us though after reading through and Im so glad that he felt the touch of love before be died instead of being toatlly alone.  Ahhh.. see now Im crying my eyes out.  As glad as I am, I just wish I could have taken him home and shown him love  instead of dying love. 

Im sorrry to ramble.  I cant tell you how much your posts mean to me.  I really dont think its easy to understand the impact you all have!  DH read through and is amazed.  He should get on here more often... we are sort of alone in our life as far as the deep love we feel for dogs...aside from my mom.  So he would benefit as much as I do from the common company.

It made me angry last night too... to hear out friends tell me I was crazy and all... they thought it was horrible, but couldnt believe I was still upset.  Thank you.  Thank you thank you thank you.

you certainly do not have to wait to post until you are "more ok". no one here can blame you for being so upset, there is in no way anything wrong with being sensitive and caring. which you certainly are both. peace will come in time, you do whatever you need to in the mean time to help it come to you. if it means blubbering do it, if it means posting how you are feeling do that too, you will get nothing but support. not everyone understands how precious life is and im glad you are not one of those people. i can't really say much that hasn't been said, but i want you to know i am very empathetic to how you are feeling. try to keep in mind that you do not have to hurt to appreciate the dogs existance. lots of hugs, get some sleep tonight.

Amy, try not to beat yourself up with the "what ifs".  It is too bad your friends are being such insensitive jerks - maybe they wouldn't be if one of them had just gone through the same thing - it's hard to say.  And not to pick on men, but they can seem not to care because it isn't masculine to express true emotion - at least from the man's perspective.  I'd be willing to bet that your female friends were/are more sympathetic.
 
It's okay to cry or feel bad.  And you can come here to talk about it - we understand.