Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests What did I do?

Hey all. The other night I was driving home from Kung Fu class with my daughter and nephew in the back. I was driving along a back road, and another car was coming toward me. As soon as I get to the other car, I see her swerve off the road, and the next moment, I see a dog running across the road, about a foot from the front of my car. I hit the brakes, but to no avail. In slow motion, I saw the dog go flying, and roll about 20 feet. Shaking, I got out of the car to check, but I knew it was a wasted motion. It was dead. Then I had to go knock on the door of the houses nearby to find the owner. God, it was terrible. My daughter, an avid animal lover, couldn't even cry. I know I did. The owner, an older lady and gentleman, came out and confirmed it was their dog, Cheech. I have never felt so terrible. I explained what happened, and the driver of the other car told her too. They both agreed it wasn't my fault, but as I watched her petting her dead dog, I wanted to die. I feel absolutely horrible at causing someone else so much pain.
The worst part is I wasn't speeding or anything. In fact, earlier on the way home, some young girl in a Saturn wanted to race me, bucking at each red light and such. Since my daughter was with me, I played the wimp and ignored her, doing the speed limit the whole way home.
It's been two days, and I still hear the impact, and can still see the dogs face as I hit it each time I close my eyes. Everyone keeps telling me it's not my fault, and the owner thanked me for stoppping and not running away. I know it's not my fault, I couldn't see it because of the opposite car's headlights until it was too late, but damn. The only thing worse than killing someone's dog would be killing their child. I know how close my two dogs are to my family, and how I would feel if I lost them. Knowing I caused someone else that much pain is beyond words.
I'm not really looking for much from you all, but I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

talk about a downer to my evening.

sorry to hear about it though, man. i can't even imagine how that must feel, but try to rest easy knowing it was out of your hands. if anything, it was more the owners' fault for letting the dog run loose in the streets.

~Andrew

awwww man, I have never hit a dog in my 17 years of driving, but I've hit three squirrels and a couple of birds. I felt bad about that, let alone to hit someone's pet. That sucks. Hopefully you will get over it soon. I was in the car when my grandfather hit someone's dog that was running loose and I cried, and I didn't even do it.
I wish I could give ya a hug, so will a cyber hug do? I feel your pain.

It doesn't sound like the dog suffered. That should be some consolation.
Shame on those people for letting their dog run loose.

Thanks guys, and yes Renee, a cyber hug will help. It is a little consolation it did not suffer. I just wish I could take it back.

ugh that's rough.

Maybe you could do something more for them to help make yourself feel better.
Perhaps have some flowers delivered, maybe even keep in touch with them on a regular basis to see how they're doing, and perhaps eventually helping them get a new pet. (discussing a new pet right now is probably a bad idea, but maybe down the road when they've had time to grieve).

I know the feeling. I was pet sitting for a friend about a month ago. I let the dog like usual at night, next thing I know I hear a cat hissing and meowing like it was being strangled to death. It was just that, the dog(a hyperactive dalmation) had it in its mouth and shaking it like there was no tommorrow. It was only a stray, but man did I hate myself for not rescuing it.

I feel for you.

Shoot , Scott - I feel for ya . As I've never had the misfortune of hitting a dog , I can only imagine how you feel , but at least all involved know it wasn't your fault . I'm sure the owners of the dog hold no grudge against you at all . You went over & above the call by knocking on doors & whatnot - not many people would've done that . That just shows what kinda good dude you are . You did the right thing , as expected .