twickster, your namesake is doing fine. She’s learned to play tug-o-war with the chew toy you sent her, and also has destroyed one of the catnip mice you sent to my cats.
Today I tried to get her into a bumblebee costume for a party at our local park, but she didn’t like it so I took it off. I did get a couple of pictures. On Oct. 3, I took her to the same park for the annual Blessing of the Animals, held on the Sunday before the feast day of St. Francis.
Speaking of pictures I’ll be sending you, hopefully no later than Tuesday, a photo CD with pictures of Quickster. I hope they came out. Your offered to post them for me, as I’m a techno doofus and don’t know how.
I haven’t updated the chip yet, but will get it done soon, shellofmyformerself.
The cats are doing better, but still not reconciled completely.
If Quickster approaches them, just being curious, they put their backs up and growl. When Atilla goes running down the hall that doesn’t help because it triggers a dog’s pursuit reflex.
However, I’m letting Quickster stay out at night now. Before I did Atilla wanted to spend the night, or at least part of it, on the bed with me. Then, with the dog running free, he stayed away for a while. Now the cat will sleep on one side of me and the dog on the other, with no conflict.
I am complete and utter scum. The title of my thread “I can’t have a dog” is the way my life will be.
Today I took Quickster for a walk in the park, and let her off the leash to chase a squirrel.
She ran across the park and into a street, where she was hit and killed by a car.
It’s all my fault. There’s leash laws for a reason, you stupid idiot!(That’s me) And because of me my dear doggie is gone.
The guy driving the car stopped, and so did several other people. Someone found a bag, and a box, and put Quickster in them. A lady named Sandy drove me home. After I called my folks, bawling my head off, my dad came and did most of the work of digging a hole in the backyard.
I can’t believe she won’t be burrowing under the covers with me tonight. Please people, give your pets and extra hug. And don’t ever be as stupid as I was.
Oh geez. I’m so sorry that happened to you.
Try to look at it this way: She could have gotten hit by a car when she was first running loose.
There are a lot of homeless animals out there who die never having known what it was like to have a loving home. You gave that dog a chance to know love and happiness, maybe for the first time in her life.
Accidents can happen to any pet owner. I know I had a close call with my first dog that was very similar (she ran across a road chasing a squirrel and I could have ended up in the exact same situation if a car had happened to be driving by at that time). It sounds like you were trying to be a good dog owner by letting the dog romp and run like they are meant to do. That’s better than the many people out there who are too lazy to take their dogs out and let them play. You’re not a bad person. This was just a very unfortunate accident.
Baker: I’m so sorry to hear that. Quickster was a very lucky dog to have you look after her. Do not beat yourself up or blame yourself. I was very lucky with my Benji a couple of months ago - he panicked and ran from the off-leash park. He crossed two streets on his own after dark and thank Og, he was waiting for me at the back door. Every step of the way home, my heart was in my mouth. I know what you are going through, but this was not your fault.
Oh, Baker! What awful news! I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you take comfort through your pain in reflecting on how happy and well-cared-for she was with you.
Thanks to everyone for their sympathy. I keep thinking about how Quickster liked to beg for food, or would cock her head to look at me. She loved to burrow under the covers and sleep with me.
I never noticed, until now, how much more cheerful I’d been lately. The perkiness and high energy of Quickster kept me on my toes more. Please believe me, I love my cats dearly, but I’ve found that the more openly expressed return of love from my dog was a happiness I hadn’t felt in years.
I’d like to get another little dog like her, rescued from the shelter preferably. But I don’t know if it would be fair to a new dog, as maybe I’m just looking to have Quickster back, and that’s not going to happen.
Give your pets extra scritches and hugs from me, will you?
I think you’d be doing a good thing by adopting another homeless dog when you’re ready. Even though Quickster will never be replaced, I’m sure there is another dog out there who will be a good companion and will appreciate the love you have to give.
I do not want to be negative, but for the benefit of the Teeming Millions, controlling a dog with a leash (or fence) is for everyone’s safety, that of other pets and people as well as the dog in question.
You just made a mistake. I have made mistakes as well and regretted them.
What Quickster brought into your life will stay with you. Now may not be the time, but there are many other dogs out there who desperately need someone to need them. Quickster would want the pack to be strong again.
I’m going in the other room to hug my girls for you.
Get some meat on her bones! Weiner dogs rule.
I’m so sorry that happened to you.