The above is another tribute to health picture from a while ago. Smoking is not healthy but in this case it is cause Walter had just jumped up on the couch to chew on his cigar.Some of you may have already seen this below - the woman who hit Walter actually made a comment on my last post. I thought I should re-post it because I think she's being really brave by stepping up and communicating with me. She's already stopped by and left a message asking me if I'd want to do a fund raiser for Walter, which for whatever reason, out of gratitude or exhaustion made me weep.
It is really mind-bending to practice forgiveness here, especially because its possibly this woman, Sarah, who ultimately has to forgive us for injecting ourselves like this into her life. She was doing nothing wrong. Just driving. Her car is big and Walter is small and definitely ran right into her.
So now I have to go from cursing the "damn car and damn driver who did this to my beloved dog" and wishing they didn't exist to realizing she didn't do anything to us, we did it to her. I think this is called growing up or maturity or something...and I am hoping to benefit from it down the line, because right now it just feels weird to think kindly of the woman who ran Walter down...and yet I am.
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Heather,
thank you for calling me back and giving me the update about Walter. my life is changed, but you and Walter are the ones who are going thru so much. I keep re-living the accident in my mind. Why didn't i stay at work instead of going home for a break? I so much wish it would have been different. I still don't know what it is I am to do for him, but i hope it will come to me soon. maybe you have some thoughts. for now, my prayers are constant for his healing, and i send positive thoughts to both of you. sarah
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16 comments:
Heather - Everything happens for a reason, at least that's what Mom always tells me. I'm not sure why the accident happened, and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, but maybe there is more to it than any of us know.
Forgiving is the right thing to do and it seems like Sarah is willing to do what she can to help. I would like to help too so please let me know what I can do.
Walter is a trooper and so are you. Keep up the positive thoughts. I'm sending good karma your way.
Stubby xoxo
I'm trying to imagine being in either of your places...you as Walter's mom, best friend, care-giver and Sarah...guilt ridden. Neither is a good place to be. Perhaps great things will come from all this! Maybe they already are?
We continue to send well wishes and puggie hugs Walter's way. Each day he gets stronger and soon he WILL be all that he was and more.
Heather-
you are obviously such a good mom and though I dont know you or Walter-- I know how it is to feel like this about your pet (albiet child!) I am a friend of Sarahs- and there are so many of us that want to do something to help-- can we set up a way that we can make donations to help with the cost of Walter's care?? we will keep checking back and saying prayers for him and you!!
Heather
What a lovely post! Sarah is a friend of mine, and my heart goes out to her as well as you and Walter. You have so much support from everyone; and I can vouch that Sarah is one of the most compassionate people I know and I am praying for her to get through this too. I feel strongly that Walter will continue to recover! What a beautiful dog. This story has touched so many and it shows the good in human kind.
Something happened to me this weekend. My dog killed my pet chinchilla. My favorite chinchilla. While initially shocked, angered and upset, I realized that it was just a freak accident. Just a matter of two things being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Some things just happen and some things happen and you can't do a damned thing to learn from them. You can just learn to deal with them.
You're doing good by Walter, and the lady who hit Walter wants to do good by you. I think its very courageous to step forward like she did. There aren't a whole lot of people who would have gone back.
Maybe you can have someone come in during the day for a few hours so you can get some sleep? And when you feel better maybe you and the good samaritan can do a fundraiser to get a fund started at the Vet's office for animals who need care, but the owners can't afford it?
But please, take care of yourself.
What a sweet post - it made me teary eyed. This is such a sad experience for all of you involved, and I am sending hugs and love to all of you. Hope Walter is feeling better and better - special hugs and kisses to him.
xo
It sounds like positive things are coming out of a distinctly not-positive situation. Sometimes that's all you ask for.
Just a lurker here, but I'm very happy to hear Walt continues to do well!
Heather, I wish I had some sage advise or words of wisdom on how to get throught his, but I don't. All I can say is follow yuor heart and do what you think is best for you and Walter. I think we are all very impressed that Sarah came to you and Walter about the accident. Things are difficult right now, but maybe you will come out of this with a new friend and a new sense strength. Yuo adn Sarah can be of great help and support to each other right now. Make a positive out Walter's accident and find that ray of light at the end of looks like a really long tunnel.
In the meantime, we will keep sending Wlater all the pug love and kisses we can muster. Take care and know that we are all here for you.
Jess & Lilo
Oh her comment made me cry. How rare to find such caring people in a situation they could easily walk away from. All of you are lucky, while the situation stinks, it seems like you have support from her and her from you. And of course... Walter is the best! Pug Hugs from our 3 here in Indy!
Heather, that's really amazing how Sarah is reaching out to you. So many people would have shrugged it off saying it was just a dog. It takes a strong and good person to reach out the way she is. I know there are a lot of us who have been following your blog who wish we could be there to help you in any way we could. Please let us know if some sort of donation fund is set up because we will all spread the word to help you with the expenses!
Stay strong!
Pug hugs and kisses!
Vikki and the Pug Posse
Your post and the subsequent comments made me cry. I cannot imagine being in your shoes but I do know my guys have run through the front door and Indy has actually made it out on to the road before.
I don't know if I could forgive the person that has caused so much pain to someone who doesn't deserve it in the least but at the root of the problem is the fact that she didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident.
Like you said practicing forgiveness is being mature because the fact that Sarah has come back a few times to make amends and help out shows she feels as badly she does.
I am glad that you are feeling kindly to her and I hope something can come of it; more help for Walter, you or like a few other commenters said, help for others who are in the same situation.
*Love the pic of Walter with his cigar :)
Oh Heather, I am crying again. Situations like this, wrong place at the wrong time, just break my heart. I commend Sarah for coming forward. I know in her shoes, I'd just be sick that this happened, as I know she is. I also know that in your shoes, I'd be angry and unsure as to where to direct my anger. You are both wise and responsible women.
For Walter's sake, I think forgiveness is key. Let's surround him with love and prayer... we sure are rooting for him here in Oklahoma!
Wow. That is really cool. It was an accident. That's why they call them accidents. I am very glad that Sarah came by to check on Walter and you. A lot of people wouldn't have done that. They would have felt no guilt at all. It is nice to see compassion.
Roxy
I commend both of you for your actions. About four years ago, I was in a semi-similar situation: I was pet-sitting, the dog zipped out the front door, and was hit by a car. But in that case, the driver didn’t stop, and the dog wasn’t as lucky as Walter.
To this day, it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I have no words to describe the guilt I felt. It took a long time to heal-- and occasionally, I do still have a moment.
What I found most helpful were those who came forward and told me they had something similar happen to them (who, by the way, are all very responsible people), the dog’s owners never blamed me for what happened, and people rallied around all of us. Forgiveness and knowing you’re not alone can make a world of difference.
Accidents happen; there’s just no prevention method good enough to stop everything unfavorable from occurring. You both witnessed an awful event, and it seems like you’re both taking the high road and working towards healing in the right ways: Heather, you’re forgiving and vocal about it; and Sarah, you’re putting yourself out there and are willing to help. Exceptional behavior on both counts!
As much as it hurts right now, trust me: it will get better, and you’ll both come out of this stronger. Warm wishes to both of you—and Walter, too!
WOW - Now I feel sorry for the driver too. That was brave and very touching that she contacted you. She must feel terrible - I know my mom would be crazy with guilt. I also cried when I read her note. If she can help by all means embrace the help - anything anyone can do to help Walter get better will be a plus.
Rosie
This brought tears to my eyes...which your blog has done a lot lately, but these were a different kind of tears. How wonderful it is to see a person in this day and age be honest, compassionate, brave and empathetic. I wish this had never happened. I wouldn't wish this situation on anyone in the world, but if you must be in this spot, it seems that Sarah is the person to be in it with.
I agree with Rosie - if help is offered, embrace it. It will both help you, and I guarantee that for Sarah, it will help ease any guilt or pain she may be feeling.
If a fund it set up for his vet visits, please let us know. We WANT to help.
We are praying insistently that Walter's next visit and potential surgery go well.
The other day I sat down at my piano and played one of my favorite hymns "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and I thought about Walter and how God does not overlook even one canine of his creation. Our prayers for you and Walter are not small or unimportant, because Walter and YOU are God's children, and therefore important to him.
Have faith, feel peace, embrace help. You are in our constant thoughts and prayers. Let us know if you need anything at all.
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