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Watch out for the giant ground sloths.
by cskendrick on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:15:55 AM PDT
It's always rough.
"These are times of moral enormity, when cool reasonableness is a more pathological and unrealistic state than hysteria." -- Martin Peretz
by prodigal on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:17:32 AM PDT
[ Parent ]
CSK, I'm so sorry. Thank you for having the decency to stop, and for having such compassion for that poor dog in its last moments.
IGTNT: Our war dead. Their stories. Read "I Got the News Today."
by monkeybiz on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:21:16 AM PDT
absolutely wrenching.
Fight Back - June 19 - San Francisco - Rally against AHIP
by nyceve on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:22:02 AM PDT
All I could do was make sure the dog was not mangled by subsequent passing traffic. That is all I did.
That and if I were to stop and think it through risk getting smushed too.
Shit, I had no vet training, not even the beginning of an idea how to render first aid to a puppy. It occurred to me perhaps too late to place my coat over the little thing for shock.
omigod..
by cskendrick on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:39:43 AM PDT
that puppy was someones baby. You have a great heart!
Another Proud Subscriber to the Mariachi Mama Bickering Moratorium!
by mango on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:49:07 AM PDT
by cskendrick on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:51:10 AM PDT
all about that. Living here in Mexico is very bad for the heart when you love the animals.
by mango on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:52:56 AM PDT
You'd miss it.
Cold and heartless is no way to want to go through life.
You hurt right now because it was a living, breathing creature and it deserved better than to be treated with the disregard. My suggestion is later on if possible stop by a shelter and make a $5 donation on its behalf and talk to folks there. It'll make you feel better to know there are people out there that do care and work every day to make a difference in the lives of animals.
by cwaltz on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:12:58 AM PDT
I saw a dog get hit once, and it was right in front of 5-6 kids standing on the sidewalk. I was in a far lane in heavy traffic and could not stop, and I cried all the way home.
Politics is like driving...if you want to go backwards, choose R. If you want to move forward, choose D.
by fireflynw on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:32:16 AM PDT
you'd be a Republican.
"Teach the children quietly, for someday sons and daughters, will rise up and fight while we stood still!" -Mike Rutheford
by Bulldawg on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:31:45 PM PDT
keeping our heart open to all of life's pain and beauty and staying positive and powerful. Sometimes life is so heart wrenching, I find it hard to function.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
by empathy on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:18:14 AM PDT
The Tin Man said, "Now I know I have a heart, because it's breaking." Sympathy and hugs.
by eru on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:29:47 AM PDT
The Wizard of Oz is such an important piece of literature.
You can't get away with the crunch, 'cuz the crunch always gives you away
by dnamj on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:51:08 AM PDT
You did stop. You were there. You shielded and carried the pup. No one else did.
What you did was a lovely act of humanitarian caring.
Sometimes all one can do is be witness and feel helpless. But witnessing and presence are worth more than one might think. I do it for a living.
You were that precious witness and that pup did not die alone with no one caring.
Mourn, yes. But please don't rethink what you did or critique yourself for not having done more. You did what you could.
Thank you, cskendrick.
"You can count on Americans to do the right thing after they've tried everything else." -- Winston Churchill
by bleeding heart on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:52:04 AM PDT
Geez...now I'm crying. And nobody likes a weepy old queen.
Thanks CS for sharing this. It always helps to inject a bit of reality--even something this sad.
Let your heart heal. I held vigil with my roomates dying cat. She took over for the final couple of hours, but that was a long day.
Remember, you showed your love and compassion the only way you could. And there's today's unwritten headline of the day: "Stranger protects dying puppy."
Go in peace. And thank you.
Well fuck it all, I'm still not leaving. I'm too goddamn mean and stubborn to be run off by a swarm of annoying insects.
by homogenius on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:54:49 AM PDT
comment, but, actually, one of my dearest friends was an occasional weepy old queen and everyone adored him. He was an absolute delight and he would approve of my calling him that or I wouldn't use the term. One of the most special nights of my life was his last night alive, which I spent in the hospital with him after having helped with his home care for several months.
Actually, in my experience, most people who tear up for tender issues have hearts of gold.
So I still like you!
by bleeding heart on Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 12:37:16 PM PDT
I live in the country so sometimes animals run out into the road. I've hit more than I care to think about but I always make sure the animal is dead and not suffering. I suffer every time this happens.
Sometimes I hate being human. We are so destructive.
Blood 4 Oil War 2
by TXsharon on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:06:42 AM PDT
At some times in the year, I'll see a new, dead raccoon on the road to work every stinkin' day. People drive too fast, don't pay attention. Lots of possums, too.
I was behind a car the other day, though, that stopped for a deer. I was happy to see that.
But in general, on my little five-mile commute, the carnage is horrible. If people would only pay attention...
Je suis inondé de déesses
by Marc in KS on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:45:41 AM PDT
It is people who are getting struck down by cars that never stop -- struck down in crosswalks, walking on a green light. The city leaders talk about how to "cut down" on these hit and run deaths and injuries, which in many cases involve the elderly, but it seems there is no viable way to do it (imagine that!).
While out one evening, Mr. Meerkat and I came to a corner just as the light was turning yellow for pedestrians. An elderly woman with a walker was caught in the middle of the crosswalk when the light turned to red. Mr. Meerkat ran out to help her (the cars were going around her on either side, and not slowly). He stayed with her on the center island until they could safely cross.
People not only don't pay attention, they clearly do not give a damn about life, including human life. Getting to their destination in the shortest time possible is the only important goal.
Things are going to get a lot worse before they get worse. ~ Lily Tomlin
by vigilant meerkat on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:26:50 AM PDT
Give him a squeeze from all of us!
by fireflynw on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:34:29 AM PDT
As if having the wisdom to marry our own vigilant meerkat weren't enough proof of that.
Who supports the troops? Leyla and I do.
by MsSpentyouth on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 11:43:10 AM PDT
Thank you MsSpentyouth.
by vigilant meerkat on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 12:49:36 PM PDT
by vigilant meerkat on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 12:52:50 PM PDT
is revealed in how they react to someone in need. Mr Meerkat is a very kind soul :-)
by fireflynw on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 03:12:24 PM PDT
He is unfailingly kind and caring. His patients (he's a dentist) truly love him, and tell him so frequently. He even makes housecalls for some of his older patients who can no longer make it into his office. He's very special; they know it and appreciate it, but that's not why he does it. He does it because he cares.
by vigilant meerkat on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 04:49:52 PM PDT
I refuse to own or operate any of those thousand pound steel and glass death machines.....
Sometimes the appropriate response to reality is to go insane. -Philip K. Dick- Economic Left/Right: -4.75 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.97
by Ubik on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:28:52 AM PDT
without owning a car. Now I live in a rural part of the country, and it's harder -- so I have a beat-up 91 Ford Taurus wagon that I use for essentials. About 10 months of the year I can ride my bike (it's five and a half miles to town), and do. But there are a couple of very cold, very wet months that I need to have the car.
I put about 1000 miles a year on it, at the most.
by Marc in KS on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:05:47 AM PDT
when I pass a dead animal in the street or by the side of the street. I'm a Buddhist. It's my way of honoring that life that's now been extinguished.
In Buddhist philosophy, every sentient being has importance. They are so like us, really -- like us, they are born, suffer pain, and die. When we honor them, we honor ourselves.
by cedubose on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:00:26 AM PDT
even if you were a vet. At that point the damage was already done.
The BEST thing you did for her was to pull over and be there for her while she passed. Perhaps her last memory was of you being there comforting and caring for her in that last moment.
I'm so sorry you had to deal with that today. But know that you DID make a difference.
Pura vida!
by malibu1964 on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:16:20 AM PDT
with this pup, that is important. My heart aches for you.
by Vera Lofaro on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:32:59 AM PDT
You did what you could, so don't blame yourself for failing.
Some things we're powerless to change, other things we can, so the importiant thisng is to try.
Take care.
When harmonious relationships dissolve, respect and devotion arise; when a nation falls to chaos, loyalty and patriotism are born - Daodejing (paraphrased)
by koNko on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:47:35 AM PDT
Speaking as a pet owner who considers her cats her children...I cannot believe that the person who hit that puppy didn't stop. That's truly low. Like monkeybiz said, thank you for stopping. Not many others would have.
"Sell not Virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power." Benjamin Franklin
by Mewkey on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:50:10 AM PDT
What a devastating way to start the day. Thank you for your compassion.
It's time to impeach, dammit!
by Sassy725 on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:38:16 AM PDT
One of my very worst childhood memories — which I had "forgotten" until now, dammit — was of a tiny little very friendly stray kitten who kept trying to follow me around one day as I walked the block and a half to my school.
Thinking I had lost it finally, I crossed the road to get to the school, only to have it dart out of the tall grass to follow me and promptly get hit by a car. The poor thing died in my hands a few minutes later.
Now I need to find a kitty to hug.
"I play a street-wise pimp" — Al Gore
by Ray Radlein on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:38:21 AM PDT
is the lack of compassion on the part of the driver, and the uncaring disregard of the police who failed to stop.
You're a caring soul, cs. my heart goes out to you...
Truth. Justice. FreedomePluribus Media
by Timroff on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:56:07 AM PDT
I really should meet with a colleague to go over some points ahead of that.
But I can't go in there without processing this first.
by cskendrick on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 06:59:29 AM PDT
the right thing. Focus on the good in the situation, worry about the bad later. Feel good about the positive spirit you've generated here.
Barack Obama -- The President we were promised as kids!
by Jimdotz on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:01:32 AM PDT
Thank you for stopping to offer comfort and humanity to a tiny living being in her last moments.
--- BE the movement. Obama for President. ---
by boofdah on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:15:14 AM PDT
that is so so sad. Being that I have a dog myself (not to mention the child on the way but don't have that additional frame of reference yet), I know how attached I am to her.
That is just terrible. Absolutely terrible.
so sorry you had to witness that - even more sorry that it happened at all.
Why John W. McCain is an unstable, crazy, angry, clueless, hypocritical, lying, pandering douche.
by clammyc on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:20:28 AM PDT
I am so sorry. Thank you for being such a kind and compassionate soul.
"All of us -- as citizens and as a government -- have a moral responsibility to each other, and what we do together matters." J.R.E., 1/30/08
by MaskedKat on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 07:23:04 AM PDT
all i can offer is this:
blessings on you, nameless puppy.
Politics is like driving. To go backward, put it in R. To go forward, put it in D.Give to Populista's Obamathon 2.0!
by TrueBlueMajority on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:03:24 AM PDT
and most painful when you know there's just nothing you can do. I hope the rest of your day can bring you some peace.
Now, go spread some peace, love and understanding. Use force if necessary. - Phil N DeBlanc
by lineatus on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:12:04 AM PDT
so sorry you had to see that - happy that the puppy was lovingly touched in its last moments.
-8.38, -7.74 lern gud werds and feed the hungry!!!
by condoleaser on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:20:36 AM PDT
my wife and I were about 10-12 car lengths back. I wasn't sure at first what it was that rolled from underneath the car. Then I recognized it. It was able the limp away across the other lane of traffic. I stopped, right in the middle of the road. It was a four lane with a median. I cautiously approached and saw it was not much more than a puppy. He let me approach, I petted his head and then picked him up and carried him back to the Explorer.
I asked my wife to put the back seat down and get in the back with the dog. We drove to the nearest vet. At first they were reluctant to do anything without the owners permission. We told them that if it was a matter of payment not to worry, we'd pay for any treatment. So they examined the dog. Miraculously, there were no broken bones or major injuries, just cuts and bruises.
I was also appalled by the number of cars that just sped on by. As it turned out the owners hadn't even realized the pup had gotten out. When the vets office called to tell them their puppy was there and being treated they said there was no way, their dogs were all in the backyard playing with the kids. Then the vets office told them the name on the collar and described the pup and the owner double checked and came back to say, omg yes it was xxxx and they don't know how he got out. Then they said that they would be right over. We asked the vet to ask if they needed help paying the bill, the owner thanked us and said no that it wasn't necessary. My wife and I were happy it had worked out. We had a happy ending, I'm sorry your experience didn't turn out as ours did. Bless you for stopping. And bless you for caring.
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by TexDem on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:28:27 AM PDT
for caring about that pup!
by fireflynw on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:37:56 AM PDT
it's really sad, but a puppy is not a child. You're obviously a good person but not a parent. I'm not sure the horror is even comparable.
I mean, it's sad and I'm sorry you watched that, but the dramatic post titles that are totally misleading are obnoxious.
by Jeremiah on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:30:02 AM PDT
by redstar on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:19:52 AM PDT
I will tell you why.
Because when you witness something like this, you don't process it with the part of your brain that draws distinctions between human beings and "lesser" species. You process with the part of you that knows we are all part of a larger creation.
If you find it offensive, why the hell are you still here? Go do something you enjoy.
"A person is as free as they believe themselves to be off." - Fortune cookie
by The Termite on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:33:35 AM PDT
clue.
Please, go back to empathy school or something.
by redstar on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:40:00 AM PDT
You have my sympathies. But this diary isn't about you.
by The Termite on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:41:45 AM PDT
completely out of line title.
by redstar on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:42:54 AM PDT
Yes, you are a victim. Congratulations.
by homogenius on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:58:53 AM PDT
Everyone here is sensitive to your loss. This is not freeperville.
But CSK's sentiments were sincere. Your outrage meter is out of calibration. This diary isn't about you. Nobody here wants to inflict more pain for your loss. But you came in with guns blazing. Don't be surprised if people get in your face. You came for a fight and you got one, IMO.
by homogenius on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:03:41 AM PDT
I think he came in to share experiences - and his outrage meter was set off when he got here. JMHO.
by Naranjadia on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:22:38 AM PDT
But I don't think redstar's outrage meter is out of calibration, especially after so many took the time to explain why the title should be changed and getting strong resistance. redstar, yat pundit and others saw the title and came in to offer support because they had been through the trauma of losing a child. They were prepared to dredge up old pain to help someone else work through new pain. And then they get here to find it wasn't a child that died, it was a stranger's dog.
They could have left without saying anything at that point, but they probably wanted to spare anyone else from going through the same experience, so they asked for a title change. Most of us, if made aware that we've unintentionally caused someone pain, would take the suggestion.
by lineatus on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:46:13 AM PDT
_________________________________
"Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde."
-9.75 (economic), -7.18 (social)
by dadanation on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 11:08:49 AM PDT
What a bullshit comment. And it was uprated! LOL
"Read the not-words to be free" - Ray Radlein
by statistic on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:26:19 AM PDT
That was a horrible thing to say to a person who has lost their child- 'world's smallest violin'? I can't believe that got rec'd. I actually feel sick to my stomach. This diary is turning into a ruthlessly heartless display.
"Be the change that you want to see in the world."- Gandhi
by hopefulcanadian on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:26:54 AM PDT
Nobody should make light of redstar's loss. But I felt redstar came in spoiling for a fight and got it. That's my opinion.
by homogenius on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:35:09 AM PDT
thinking that the diarist had seen a child get hit by a car and killed.
Once he realized that the diary title was inaccurate, and that it was a puppy, not a child (he even went so far as to suggest that perhaps the diarist was using the metaphor of a puppy to describe a child)then he became outraged. Particularly given the responses he got.
by DMiller on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:44:00 AM PDT
It just seemed to me that redstar came in with outrage meter already pegged. But that's a subjective observation.
by homogenius on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:52:44 AM PDT
and if you had a child who you saw die, what the fuck is going to be your reaction? I mean, his "outrage meter" is high? Are you joking?
Here is the dictionary definition of child. A child is a human being, end of story. Technically...and obviously.
You know we live in strange times when hearing something as simple as the truth almost seems shocking.
by redhaze on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 01:10:46 PM PDT
I saw it as Redstar, as perhaps, after having lost a child of his/her own, saw a diary that was titled "I just watched a child die", and from that, took it to mean that someone else had gone through what must have been a heart-wrenching ordeal-like he/she did. Maybe Redstar, still highly upset by the loss of a child, was looking for solace/words from someone who is also there. The diarists repeated refusals earlier to acknowledge Redstar and many other parent's grief/offense was innapropriate. As was the way the title was changed. Honestly, I don't want to be judging anyone, I was just aghast at how little comparative sympathy Redstar and other parents here were getting. It would not have been disrespectful to the dog/its life to have changed the title. I am just saddened that more people didn't feel for these parents who have lost their children.
by hopefulcanadian on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:49:00 AM PDT
But these things are devilishly difficult to unsnarl in real time.
by homogenius on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:51:21 AM PDT
both things you are refering to, and your pop psychology is absolute bullshit. There is a HUGE difference between losing your child and seeing an animal you have no relationship to die.
That you can't process that this might be different speaks VOLUMES about you.
Holy crap, I thought I had seen the most ignorant, unfeeling bullshit in my life, but you really take the case.
by redstar on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:42:18 AM PDT
But your TR was still out of line. Some people simply don't have the kinds of life experiences that you do. That does not make what they say remotely troll-worthy.
Conservatism is Dead!
by Eternal Hope on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:14:22 AM PDT
am I really reading people complaining about TROLL RATES? I feel like I've slipped into the twilight zone. I have sympathy for cskendrick, nobody is saying that the puppy's life had no value.
But she had a title up that said she saw a child die. To people who have lost a child, it was extremely upsetting. For the love of God, can't we on this site at least do others the courtesy of ALLOWING them to state their offense at a diary's title, without then personally insulting their losses?
by hopefulcanadian on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:33:37 AM PDT
I troll-rated one comment of his (an FU comment). But we don't troll-rate people just for stating their opinions. Of course people should be allowed to state their offense at a title -- the main thing I objected to was the TR.
by Eternal Hope on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:38:48 AM PDT
I'm sorry if I reacted over-sensitively to your comment above, my head is just whirling, I read your comment below-thread and I appreciate what you said. I just am feeling so badly for redstar right now, no parent should have to defend themselves after having lost a child like this. take care friend.
by hopefulcanadian on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:43:28 AM PDT
rather unkind, callous and uncalled for comment to which it responded.
by redstar on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:45:02 AM PDT
But it's been uprated three times now. My TR would not do any good since one uprate cancels out three TR's.
by Eternal Hope on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:47:32 AM PDT
and principled.
But you're ok piling on someone who is demonstrably in pain, as long as you can calculate that by doing so, you can make a difference.
I think I understand.
Thank you for your empathy.
by redstar on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:49:58 AM PDT
I'm saying that this needs to be resolved somehow. I told him to calm down.
by Eternal Hope on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:53:10 AM PDT
But I sincerely don't see how.
I've had a bit of opportunity to step away and get ahold of myself, and the shaking has died down, and now can look at this a bit more calmly. And in that calm, I ask you to please, read this thread and see how people have been, and not just with me and my grief, but with others as well (not calling anyone out).
This really has changed my perspective on this place, I really see it in a much different way. I think there are people here whose awareness of empathy is not all there, and it really shows here, in particular in comments like the one you didn't see fit to rebuke, all the while rebuking my response.
I'm sorry, but a whole lot of people here just went far far down in my esteem, and there's not going to be a resolution to that.
by redstar on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 11:02:54 AM PDT
I'm sorry for the diarist's loss, and I think that Chango's "It's just a dog" comment was uncalled f
