Font ResizeDogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
— Roger Caras
Hit-run dog
I ran a letter Thursday from Janet of Antioch about a brown Labrador retriever wearing a pink collar that was run over by a hit-and-run driver.
Janet, her daughter and another neighbor found and took care of the dog — feeding it a cookie and water — until animal services arrived and took it to an emergency veterinary hospital.
I listed the phone numbers of the veterinary hospital and Antioch Animal Services in the hopes that the dog's owner would see them and go pick up the dog.
The dog was later euthanized because of extensive head injuries.
The dog's human did read about the accident here and she called the numbers.
She also wrote me the following letter:
Dear Gary:
Her name was Miller.
She was 10 years old on April 16. We loved her more than anyone ever loved their dog.
We couldn't have children so we had our two Labs instead. Her big brother we just lost to cancer — and now this.
I can't tell you how devastated my family and friends are. She was everyone's favorite pal.
She loved the water "... going to Feather River "... Dillon Beach "... playing catch at the park "... messing up mama's garden "... swimming in Grama and Grampa's pool "... and stealing sweets when she had the chance.
To Janet's daughter:
I am so sorry, my pretty girl, that I put you in that stupid pink (collar) thing. Her tags are sitting in the garage on her usual red collar, next to the driftwood she brought home from the river last week.
Thank you to the kind neighbors who stayed with her in her time of need.
Please, all dog parents, keep your babies close and don't let them out of your sight. Keep your contact information on your dog at all times.
To the driver — in the black truck — I pray you never feel the kind of pain you have caused! Why didn't you stop (and help)? Why were you going so fast? Why? Why? Why?
If you had slowed down you might have seen her — we might have found her and she would be heading to the beach for the weekend.
Now that won't happen. Our weekend and ever after will be filled with tears.
And so many questions.
Why???
Thank you, Gary, for the column, even though it just made us feel even worse.
We went to the Antioch shelter at 10 a.m. the next day. We were told that she had been hit by a car but we couldn't see her until 6 p.m. that night.
They told us she suffered for two hours before anyone arrived to help her. When we got to the emergency hospital they suggested we not view her, but my husband insisted on seeing his baby girl.
Filled with tears we kissed her frozen nose and told her we were so sorry!
Last night we read the column, then walked to where she was hit.
We sat on the curb and cried together.
She will have a private cremation and on the little wooden box it will read: "We love you Miller Girl."
Anna, Antioch
Dear Anna:
I am so very sorry at the loss of your beloved Miller.
And to all drivers: If you accidentally hit a dog or cat, please stop and try to help and/or notify the owner.
If you hit an animal, please call the local police, or Highway Patrol if on the freeway and explain the situation and follow their advice.
If the animal is still alive, please ask the authorities to send an animal control officer ASAP.
Thanks for caring.
