We hit a dog

Amy - You've been going through a lot and perhaps this dog was also a channel through which you could let out ALL your grief and sadness over anything that's been bothering you.  Let it out.  It's totally ok.  You will recover faster when it's all out. 
That dog will probably leave more of a legacy in your heart and here with us, than he ever could have in his previous life, so you honor him with your grief - it is ok.  Soon you can honor him with something more constructive- I planted a tree and felt better to have a sort of memorial spot and feeling that life carries on his memory - this dog I never knew.
Wishing you peace.

Amy.... I saw this thread and actually didn't want to look at first.  Having something this horrible happen right before my eyes would have the same affect on me as it is having on you. 
 
I'm so sorry you had to live it first hand and many of us do understand why you are grieving.  You and your DH felt love and compassion for this dog during it's last moment and I'm sure the dog felt that.  Even saying that... I still understand how you're feeling and that you can't just snap out of it. 
 
I agree with Paige, honoring the dog with something (like planting a tree) is a wonderful idea.  It will be putting your grief and sadness INTO something instead of letting the grief consume you.  When FeFe passed, we decided to make her grave as beautiful as possible as a tribute to her.  We talked to her as we planted the rose bush or placed memorial stones.  Even during the upkeep of it, I feel more at peace because I'm near her. 
 
Wishing you peace and comfort... I'm so sorry.

Amy! I'm so sorry this happened to you.  I'm the same way about things affecting me. It's ok to be sad now and grieve for the lost dog. But remember that the dog is free now and happy and not in any pain where it is. I'm sending LOTS of good thoughts and hugs your way this week...

I'm sorry about what happened...it must be so heartbreaking for you. I think the dog's spirit has come to visit you...I would ask God to let him/her rest in peace; I'm a very spiritual person.

Im so sorry this had to happen to you, I know how horrible you must feel. About a year ago I saw a dead dog on the road and I asked my mother 'Mom have you ever hit a dog?' and she told me with Gods help, no. Well just as we turned the corner to go home one of our neighbors pups (30-40 lbs) ran in front of our car and my mom hit him. Thank God he was hit right between the tires, but the car was so low and the pup was so big he was crying and yelping because he couldnt get out from under the car.
 
I cried and screamed those few seconds he was under the car, my mom didnt know if she should leave the car still and wait for the pup to struglle out or inch forward and risk running him over. He finally did make it out from under the car, but for those few seconds I was terrified that we would hurt him.
 
He reminded me so much of a prior experience I had as a very young girl. I was at a mechanic with my dad, and this guy was going to move his car, but there was a black and white pit bull puppy sleeping under it. The guy told me he was going to move forward a bit and to let him know if the pup moved so he could stop. Well when the car started to move the pup ran out from under it, terrified. He ran over the puppy, right down his middle.
 
My dad rushed him to the vet, and the whole ride over I could see that little baby dying. I think that was something no 6 year old should EVER have to go through.

Its still on my mind a lot.  Everytime I look at the car when I walk out the house, every single time I see the front of my car its what pops into my  head.  Actually yesterday I was thinking about something.  I was driving along by myself and thinking about how I have seen dead dogs on the side of the road and thought "Oh my god who did that!????"  and stuff like "Now you know that person didnt have to hit that poor dog." or "How could they hit that dog and keep going like that????"   It always made me cry to see them and wonder what awful person did that and left them there. 
 
Boy, Ill sure never think that way again.  DH and I left the dog there as well.  We had a car full of people, it was for sure dead after we were going to go back and take it to the vet, it was dark and we were in the middle of a busy highway.  Plus, mainly, it was all so upsetting that DH just jumped back into the car and drive away all flustered after watching the second car do him in. 
 
Someone may have thought the same thing the next day seeing him there as I used to think and that kills me.  I will never ever think that way again but will think of how horrific it was for the dog and the person alike to go through that and will hope for peace and comfort for the dog as well as the person.  I still grieve for that dog and hope with all my hope that he found my Kayla and stays with her until I can be with them again since he may not have had a family.  If he did, I hope he is reunited with them one day.  I cant let myself start thinking about the possibility of a loving family losing him because that just tortures myself unecessarily.  Ive resolved to think he is in a better place now... and that its good we hit him since we got out and gave him a loving touch before he died (as opposed to someone not caring) as you all have said.  To be honest I wouldnt never even thought about it that way without yall saying it.  Its hard to see anything positive about it, but you guys were here to help me with that.
 
Ive had some strange dreams about it.  I really hope nothing like that ever happens to me again.  In hindsight I shouldve gone back the next day to pick him up and bring him to the vet to be creamated.  Im sorry I didnt do that... was just too much in my head I guess because I didnt even think of it until recently.