It is ruff to lose a friend

Today is a ruff day.

Last night, I discovered my little hitchhiker,Muffin, was not in the house or waiting on the back porch. I go outside and call her. What in the world is going on in the dog world? I load my Louise in the car and drive down the driveway slowly waiting to see her run to the car.

Muffin relaxing in the house

As I approach the road, I see the body. She has been hit by a car.  Muffin stays close to the house when outside. She is a quiet, terrier looking for mice. I had walked the pack down the driveway but turned around and called her. She always followed back. Yesterday, she probably found something interesting and kept going.

To say I am heartbroken is an understatement. I keep reminding myself that the "bell cannot be unrung". What I hate the most is the thought that she laid on the road alive for awhile and I could have taken her to the vet. However, her small body was stiffening. I had a stray years ago get hit in the road. It was horrible. He really did not look that bad but he was killed instantly.

I called Muffin a hitchhiker in how she came into our lives. I was driving 65 mph on a divided highway and off in the distance I saw an animal run from a pecan orchard into the road. I slowed at a distance and she sat in the lane waiting. I pulled off to the side and opened the door. She ran and got in to ride in my brother's lap like we had done it many times.

I was going to put lost dog posters up. In the country, we have a dumping problem. I did not want to advertise. It might increase the dumping. One sad fact about dumped dogs is that most are killed by traffic within hours of being dumped. The ones who survive become phobic of people and often starve or are attacked by coyotes.

Losing Muffin was already painful but my dog Louise kept looking for her this morning. She wanted me to open the car door so she could get Muffin. Finally, she found the grave and sniffed around. She had her answer.

Louise convincing Muffin to move over

I used to be hesitant to share how much I care for my animals. Then I thought, so many would not bat an eye if I spent all my spare money on an automobile and it's upkeep. I think of people in need. I would like to see everyone get what they need in this world. Animals are God's creatures and worthy of care.

My heart is heavy. I do not enjoy eating. Going to water aerobics tonight, I loaded up my two remaining black and whites. I call them my little coppers.