[einstein's legacy]

I had a 9 a.m. meeting yesterday and had found a parking spot just in time. As I walked the two blocks I heard "crying", I recognized it immediately as a dog in crisis. I turned to the sound and saw a car stopped...and a black and white dog on the street obviously hit and injured by the vehicle that had stopped. There were construction workers shaking their heads, I thought for a moment to go to the dog, I was 1/2 a block away from the accident and a block away from my meeting.

I was about to run to the dog and stopped...I knew that if I went there I'd be a wreck, I don't know the area, don't know where the vets are, and don't know the condition of the dog. What could I have done to help it? The construction workers appeared concerned, I knew in my heart they would not just leave the dog to suffer or die.... The driver stopped and pulled over...does that mean she's going to do something for the poor animal? IMO the dog needed to be wrapped carefullly in a blanket and transported as quickly as possible to medical care.

Two and a half hours later I left the meeting,the street was clear.

I prayed for that dog and I'm still praying for that dog. I am fighting my own guilt for not going to that dog, knocked on doors begging for blankets to wrap it up and make sure it got care. I will never, ever walk away again, the not knowing is killing me and the fact that I probably could've done something makes it even worse. I didn't stop because of my job....but upon reflection, in my heart I believe I made a wrong choice.

Thanks for listening.

 

[brody]

you would NOT have left that dog if it looked like it was not going to be cared for

the fact the driver stopped is amazing and I'm sure they took some responsibility for the dog - the workers also being engaged probably meant s/he had help finding blankets - or the owner or whatever

no knowing is brutal though - I totally understand your stress

hang in there

 

[Derf]

Oh gosh. I'm sorry that you experienced this. I know that this is easier said than done, but don't beat yourself up. It sounds like people were there and were in a position to help.

 

[CJs Mom]

I'm sorry for you that you are feeling this way. I understand about not knowing, and I believe you are entitled to your feelings, but try not to be too tough on yourself. It sounds as though others were there to help out.

 

[chocolatecoverdlab]

So sorry...I agree, it is likely the dog was cared for.

 

[blacklabparent]

I am sorry you are feeling like this, and I understand completely. The fact is, we don't always do the right thing, or make the right choices. No one does. All we can do is learn from our experiences.

 

[Aim]

I'm sorry you had to see that. It's never easy to know just what to do. I'm guessing the person who hit the dog took care of him/her.

 

[patm]

It's really hard to have to choose between something like that and getting to work on time. I have patients scheduled to see me, and I almost HAVE to be there on time. I remember one time turning into the road leading to work off a major highway and seeing 2 dogs sleeping near the road. I actually stopped to see if they had ID, but they didn't . I had to continue to work, but stopped at the gas station near there that evening to see if they know anything about them. I passed a dog that was already hit and dead not long ago - stopped a couple of days later to see if it had ID. I also think you would have stopped if you didn't see anyone else who looked like they were going to help out. Don't beat yourself up.

 

[labby]

I'm sure the dog was cared for by the workers and the driver. Don't beat yourself up over it.

 

[einstein's legacy]

In the past I have stopped for stray dogs, detangled dogs from weeds, followed loose dogs into yards, even taken some home with me - all on my way to work, things were different before I changed positions. My heart aches for these precious animals.
Although my work may be different...my soul isn't. I will be more thoughtful about what I know is most important to me - I won't have to even make a choice if there ever is a next time.

I appreciate everyone's kind words. It takes a forum like this, where there is a love for animals to understand what I'm feeling.