Once a bird flew into my windshield,
I've stepped on the brake for many cats and dogs,
in Hi-Country learned to spot the deer and rabbits,
once spun out trying to avoid hitting a rabbit on the hill,
but little Bella the Beagle didn't quite make it.
I saw her dart out from the sidewalk,
I put on my brakes thinking I just missed her, maybe I misjudged the distance and she was huddled waiting in the middle of the road,
then the all-telling gentle thud under the truck tire.
I pulled to the side of the road, hopped out, Bella stood up, "phew, I probably just got a leg," then she toppled over.
A moment later her body became rigid and blood trickled out of her nose.
I thought I would cry.
I didn't,
at first.
Apparently Bella gets out all the time. My friend Vicki was just coming down the road too, we were both dropping kids off to pre-school, she stopped, the local walking groups stopped, and noticed her from her earlier escapades romping free in the neighborhood.
Thankfully Makenzy sat in her car seat, not screaming, not crying, just being patient.
I looked at the shiny dog tag,
Bella
an then her address and phone number.
One of the walking ladies called,
apparently they were already out looking for Bella.
I don't know why the boy about 14 years old or so, wasn't at school already, it was almost 10 a.m. by now, but he came running over first, his dad shortly followed.
They were sobbing, the dad must of called his wife, he said she was "dead" then started crying harder. I told them I was so sorry, I thought I had stopped in time.
I knew it wasn't my fault but I was glad he said it too. He thanked me for stopping.
Seriously, why wouldn't I?
Walking group lady #3 was so helpful, ran home to get a box and an old garage blanket.
I went home and then my headache started. I vegged out on the couch and cried, Makenzy fell asleep unusually early for her nap. A small mercy.
I called Randy on Skype and cried, I didn't know he had students in his room.
Picked up Cayleb from pre-school, no rain this day, so the dark blood and trace of crushed feces squooshed out by my big old Michelin tire still spotted the road.
When Vicki asked if I was o.k., I gurgled out a sort of o.k. response, but thanks again for stopping and offering your help.
When the kids got home, they thought Randy was joking about the beagle. Cayden wanted to know if blood was still on the tire.
Bye, Bella the Beagle, so sorry!
