can't stop

[RotBaron]

...thinking about it.

At a stop light yesterday I saw a SUV with the rear passenger windows down. A small dog had it's head sticking out looking around. As the light went green and after proceeding through both crosswalks I saw the dog in front of me and it appeared to have been runover either by its owners car or the one behind her. I stopped in time and so did the driver to my right (3 lanes).

The dog, about 25-30lbs  was obviously distraught, possibly hurt and running unfortunately away from help. I pulled over a couple pedestrians were trying to help, but where was the owner? Finally, I saw a girl, about 25, walking toward all of us (3 blocks away), I assumed she's the owner. I didn't want to further scare the dog by chasing him and having the worst end up happening (which did, in case you don't want to read any further).

By the time she got to me and asked "is he alive" I said yes and pointed to where he last was. She was hyperventilating and walked toward the area he was; damn if not 30 seconds later the dog is in the middle of the intersection and I see him get runover again. That time left him stiff as a board, all four legs stuck straight out. Some other pedestrians motion to her and you could tell by her reaction, no doubt that was it.

I can't shake this out of my mind. I love dogs, my dogs especially. On some occasions I too have probably been unaware about some kind of peril my negligence put my dog in, so I can't entirely blame the girl too much.

I just can't figure out why she didn't RUN to us. GD, if she had...I've hyperventilated many times, but I'd have thought the adrenaline would overcome in this situation, hyperventilate later when it's over

I can't shake this image. Really bothering me...all the ifs and shoulds. I feel terrible for the girl and the dog.

 

[Phoenix3107]

Dude...I don't even know what to say about this. I like dogs as well as having one, but after reading this...just wow

[FLOOB]

You cant do anything about the past. What ifs are distraction from whats important. Youre going to be a nurse. One day its going to be a little girl not a little dog. And you're still going to be responsible for the remaining fragile lives on your watch. Get over it, and if you must "what if" do it on your own time. That my advice.

[Nathan60]

Exactly why I don't roll my windows all the way down with my current dog, my old cattle dogs I could toss in the back of the truck this current dog isn't a smart as a heeler.

[noman]

My dog got run over about 8 weeks ago. She got out after the wind blew over some fencing. Found her on the highway about   a 1/4 mile from my house. The highway speed limit is 75. That was the worst feeling in the world having to scrape my dog of almost 10 years off the highway. With that being said you really don't know what was going through the girls head maybe she was trying to deny what she was seeing in front of her. People tend to go into a mind protection thing and deny what is happening in front of them, but her subconscious kept her moving forward. All that it was in slow motion kind of stuff.

[hgtonyvi]

Dude thats sick.

[RotBaron]

My dog got run over about 8 weeks ago. She got out after the wind blew over some fencing. Found her on the highway about   a 1/4 mile from my house. The highway speed limit is 75. That was the worst feeling in the world having to scrape my dog of almost 10 years off the highway. With that being said you really don't know what was going through the girls head maybe she was trying to deny what she was seeing in front of her. People tend to go into a mind protection thing and deny what is happening in front of them, but her subconscious kept her moving forward. All that it was in slow motion kind of stuff.

I'm very sorry about your loss.

Yes, ppl react in different ways to different circumstances.

At first I was (to myself) blaming and cursing her for being so irresponsible and not running to save her dog, in hindsight later I realized I have made mistakes too and they could have resulted gravely for my pet(s).

Long ago a family member of mine let my first dog out "to run", I had to pick that up off the side of the road too. 

Regardless all that witnessed this event learned a painful lesson, foremost the girl; it might look cute to have the dog having their head hanging out of the window in the wind.

Floob: you definitely have a point and I'm sure I will see medical events that are result of similar irresponsibility; it will be tough to see, but as you infer, I will still have a job to do and will have to remain focused.