Sometimes, being a parent stinks.  Sometimes, being a pet owner stinks. Last night we had the convergence of both of these.  E and I went for a walk after dinner. It was dark out, and breezy but still warm.  We took our mama Pom, Cleo, with us like we always do when we walk in the evening.  E likes her to walk off the leash, and usually she does really great, stays on the sidewalk about ten feet ahead of us.  Last night was an exception.

She was a bit on the wild side last night. It was our very first evening walk of the season. During the day when the boys and I walk, I keep her on a leash. She’s just too flighty for me.  At night, usually she is GREAT.  Apparently the first walk was not a good time to have her off the leash.  She took off into the street a few times, and we called her back and she came.  At least, she did a few times.  The last time WAS the last time.  She ran right out in the street, in front of a car that was going at LEAST 35 in a 25mph zone. It was too much for me. I couldn’t watch. It was the second time I’ve seen her get hit. (The first time is here.) E ran out there but it was too late. The lady who hit her was very upset, crying, apologizing.  It really was an accident. We can’t second guess ourselves, because “blame” can be placed too easily on any one of us. It just is what it is.

Several people from neighboring homes came out to see what had happened, and a guy gave us a styrofoam cooler to carry her home in.  What a walk back.  We buried her in the back yard before going into the house. We didn’t want the kids to see her.  I am so thankful to God that the boys weren’t with us when it happened. They were spared that at least. D1 would never be able to deal with it. I cannot even imagine how horrible it would have been had he seen it.  Thank you Lord for sparing the boys. We had to tell the kids last night, of course.  They took it fairly well. I think it helps a whole lot that Cleo left us her 10 week-old puppies, Levi and Missy, to take care of.  Yes we’re keeping both of them.