It Has Been a Sad Few Days

I lost my new little German Shepherd puppy last Wednesday.  I had been doing everything I could to keep little Erin safe, yet in one moment she crippled up beyond my ability to have her fixed up.  I asked my daughter to move the truck forward a few feet so I could let down my tailgate, and in those few seconds Erin ran up under the tire and was run over.  I could tell she was hurt bad, and My daughter and I took her to the Virginia Tech Veterinarian School to be looked at.  Ended up her little pelvis was broke in several places and one leg was broke into three parts.  I was told the operation to fix her would run $25oo dollars.  I do not have that kind of money.  

So I asked them if it were possible, could they attemp to find someone who could afford to have her fixed and I would adopt her out to that person.  If not, she would have to be put to sleep.  They agreed.  So with broken hearts, we left Erin in their care knowing we would never see her again.  I hate it very much for my daughter.  She took it very personally even though it was not her fault.  I know she will be okay, but it does not make these little life lessons any easier to bear.   

Some good news that came out of all this occurred Friday morning.  I received a call from Virginia Tech and a fourth year graduate student from the veterinarian school wanted to repair the damage and adopt her.  I agreed.  So, although I no longer have Erin as my own, at least I know she will be well taken care of.  I am sure she will make a great dog.  She was so confident and brave in all her actions.  It will take a while for me to get over the ordeal.  I still have chew marks on my hands where I was playing with her last week.  

The picture above is the last one I took of Erin.  She rode with me up to my tower blind one morning and I let her play around.

One last note about the people at Virginia Tech.  They were some of the nicest people I ever met.  One doctor in particular was so compassionate it touched me deeply.  I do not want to give her name until I get permission from her to do so, and will update if she agrees.  This lady was standing outside waiting on us as we pulled in and came running over to carry Erin in for us.  She kept us updated as they worked with Erin, and she along with the staff were very supportive of us during the hard decisions we had to make.   

Life is full of what if's and wishing we done something a little different, especially when it involves the loss of something that means a lot to us.  All we can do is learn from those events and hope some good comes out of it all.   Meeting some compassionate people was some of the good that came out of this one.