They Just Drove Off....

My Dad has temporarily been living in a place where he wasn't alowed to bring his dog Cooper, and asked my sister and mother to take care of him.Cooper is a mix of golden lab and White Shephard, all energy and cuddles, he has helped my dad through some major changes and depression. My dad was hoping on finding a new place that the two of them that they could live in in the new year, after he resovles some of the problems he has been dealing with.

So about 5 weeks ago he left the dog, tearfully, and would only come back to see him once he got a place for both of them. Everyone felt it would be best for the dog if he doesn't keep seeing my dad and coming and going like a visitor. We didn't want to build a separation anxiety in Cooper, we wanted him to just have a fun and stable house. And he has had a great time. As much as my sister and mother tried not to fall in love with this dog, knowing they would have to give him back, they have both fallen in love with him against their will, that deepest kind of care you can feel for someone, when they are like family.

This evening, with his boundless energy, he got out of the yard, he ran like it was a game, and he ran out into the street, and he got hit by a car, right infront of my sister.

The people who hit Cooper, just drove off while my sister craddled this injured dog on the side of the road. I can't belive they just drove off without finding out the fate of the dog.

My sisters boyfriend ran into the house and started calling emergency vetrenary clinincs, and two other kind people stopped to help my sister, as my mom came home theyhelped load the dog into the car and took him to the vet. My mother never got the name of the people who stopped, but she says they were wonderful.

Cooper was bleeding alot, and his heart kept stopping, but he kept trying to live. The had to preform CPR, give him drugs. But finally his eyes clouded over. My dads dog has been killed.

Whats worse is the complex emotions left behind. My sisters and mothers love for the dog and grief, mixed with guilt that they couldn't take care of my fathers most precious posession. My Father hurting knowing thier hurt with guilt, wishing they didn't have to feel it, clouding his time to grieve for the loss of his best friend.

And the person who I hope does feel the most, but probably doesn't, is the one who drove off without finding out the full extent of what they have been involved in.

I'm most worried about my sister, I know how deeply she can feel things, and I can't imagine how deeply upset she is right now.

Andrew and I went over to offer what comfort we could. I arrived while they were trying to get laundry going to get what bloodstains out of their coats that they could. My mother and sister were both sobing. One moment they would put somthing out of site that beloged to the dog, next they would cherish a pair of mittens covered in his fur. Andrew and I stayed until they both decided it was time to try and sleep.

When we left the house went out to the road, and we covered over the frozen puddle of blood with fresh snow where my sister held Cooper. We couldn't get the rest of it off the street. I think seeing the blood is what shook me up, this was an amazing dog, I even have a Christmas present wrapped for him back at home that I was excited to give him. I don't know writing all this down has helped me with what I'm feeling right now, but thankyou for taking the time to read it, and it's time for me to go to bed now too.

Goodnight