This weekend, my dog Molly was hit by a car in McLean, Virginia. Molly (shown here after teaching one of my classes) is still in intensive care but is expected to survive. However, it will take a while for me to get over my anger toward the driver who left my son on the side of the road after hitting our dog.
Molly got off the leash while being walked by Benjamin down Westermoreland Avenue in McLean. She was hit by a large SUV and collapsed in the street. The man driving the SUV stopped and expressed concern to Benjamin and then left my son with his dog. Fortunately, a nurse with an animal welfare hospital was driving by and stopped to assist Ben as I rushed to the scene. I could not be more thankful to the nurse. (A second man who just also happened to work at an animal hospital lived in the house next to the accident and also came out and was wonderful). However, when I arrived on the scene (dragging my own broken foot from an accident the day before), the driver had long ago left the scene. A shocked witness said he checked his car for damage and expressed concern before taking off. He gave no explanation and just left the accident scene without leaving his name or number.
There was never any question in our minds of suing. Our dog got off her leash. It was our fault. However, I cannot imagine any man leaving a boy on the side of the road with a dog that he hit, even if another man had come to assist. It was a disgraceful act, particularly since the driver did not know if the other man would stay with Benjamin. He just got in his jumbo SUV and carried on with his day. This is someone who desperately needs to look at his priorities and consider the lack of humanity shown in leaving a terrified 13-year-old boy cradling his seriously injured dog on the side of the road. Since I arrived within minutes, he could not have lingered long at the scene. His departure also prevented us from knowing the speed of the accident or any other details — information that the hospital wanted to have.
My faith in humanity however was restored by the two men who stayed with Benjamin. We put Molly in my car and rushed to the hospital. She was in shock and her breathing was beginning to fail. Sean, the nurse from McLean Animal Hospital, caught up to me in his truck and told me to follow him to the hospital to be sure that I did not get lost. I would have gotten lost without him. The other man from the house was equally kind and helpful. They both helped carry Molly to my car. I am in their debt.
We have been visiting Molly in the Hope Animal Hospital, which has 24-hour care. She is now standing for short periods. She has serious bruising and some bleeding internally as well as a torn up side. She also has four fractured ribs. She still is unable to breath on her own without the help of an oxygen tank. However, she is showing improvement and was able to stand and walk this morning. She is one tough dog. She did not cry once through this whole ordeal. We hope to have her home in a couple of days once she is breathing on her own.
Those things have your scent on it that the dogs and cats can smell.
Cayenne pepper is really good for shock from accidents like this. (People and animals.) Also for heart attacks or heart problems (I use it for palpitations, takes them away in a few minutes). A lady stopped once for a puppy that had gotten hit and put red pepper in it’s mouth. It got up a couple minutes later and walked away. Is always a great idea to keep some on you, and to read up on it.
Hope Molly and Benjamin and your whole family are doing okay. This kind of shock is so horrible! Love to all of you!!!
Old bed pillows work great too.
Interesting concept Pete. It is like a blankie for a dog!
Darren,
Pete’s right. It does wonders. I’ve been doing that for years with pets that have had to go spend time at the vet or kennelled. Works great with the cats too.
Fish? Not so much.
Pete:
Very interesting approach with the shirt. I never thought of that but it makes sense for a dog.
professor, i know this may sound strange but whoever in your family the dog is closest to may want to take a used/worn t-shirt for the dog to lie on while she is at the vets. it helps with separation anxiety.
When it comes to emergancy care, HOPE is one of the best in the area. Good luck, Molly is in great hands.
I hope your dog recovers. My own dogs Hershey and Rosie are sending massive tail wags Molly’s way.
The guy who left your son and injured dog is a jerk. The others who came to aid however help me to maintain some faith in humanity. There are good people out there.
Keep us up to date on Molly, please.
Jonathan
Was Scalia, Boehner, McConnell or Chamber of Commerce CEO riding in the back seat of that SUV? Best wishes to Molly and yours. Sugarplum, our beagle mix wasn’t so lucky when some teenagers missed a curve and hit her on our lawn in Fort Washington several years ago. They kept going and witness said they were laughing. My four dogs wish Molly their best too.
The shoe could very easily have been put on the other foot.
A dog gets off his leash and runs out into the road. Some hapless bicyclist out for some exercise hits the dog goes head over heals breaks his neck and is paralyzed from his neck down.
I know I am off point here; I’m comparing apples to oranges, but still it could’ve been much worse.
Anyways, I am glad things are okay.
LK,
Thanks…. Had him cremated and he will be gardening..,l
AY, my condolences on your kitty.
It’s good to hear that Molly is doing better and should recover. Sorry to hear about your broken foot too.
Professor,
I was hesitant to mention this earlier, but a couple of years ago, I witnessed a dog getting run over by a county sheriff’s deputy who, initially kept on going. I was coming from the opposite direction and saw the entire accident. I pulled over because the sheriff deputy did not stop right away. The dog looked dead with his legs straight up in the air. A few minutes later the deputy came back and took over. As it turned out the dog was just knocked out and had a few scrapes and bruises. It was near the home of an attorney that I know and when I saw him a few weeks later, I asked him if any of his neighbor’s dog had been hit. He said it was his dog and that is how I found out that he survived!
I was only in the navy. Semper Fidelis.
Years ago our dog, Felicia, got out and was hit by a truck a couple miles from our house- the driver didn’t stop but a law student who had worked for a vet took her to the vet, and called us (from the number on her tag.) Felicia survived but lost her leg – she wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for that young woman. I wish Molly a full recovery!