It happened this morning, the thing I've always dreaded since I started driving: I accidentally ran over and killed an animal this morning on my way to work. It was a squirrel.
The little guy was sitting in the middle of the road, and I'd just come around a curve--and I couldn't stop in time. I tried to kinda veer over to the side, but I guess he ran under my driver's-side tires. I felt two little bumps under the tires and I knew it was over. I glanced back in my rear-view mirror and there he was, no longer a live little creature.
Dangit. May he go to a place where he can run and scamper without fear of death.
17 comments:
Darling, he was probably drunk. And look, it was either going to be him or you!
So much better that it was him. Drunken squirrels have become a terrible nuisance and we must fight to keep them off the roads.
Merci, ma cheri, for doing your part.
I hit a wild bunny when I was in my early twenties. I avoided that spot for a long time, not wanting to see it. Sorry.
I hit a cardinal on the highway a few years back, and felt awful about it.
I hate the sound and feeling of such an encounter. Doesn't matter what animal it may be, it shouldn't die on the highway. Unfortunately, when they run under your car it's purely fate and there's not a thing you can do about it.
You know, people who kill animals with their cars go to Hell.
I'm just sayin'.
But seriously, Germaine is right. That squirrel must have been a drunkard.
I have already been in the private dguzman confessional, but let me say that I killed a bird yesterday.
It flew into my tire and made the - well you know.
I felt so sick and sad, I did what any good Catholic birdlover would do, I prayed to St Francis, who preached to the birdies.
Guess you'll have to put out a squirrel feeder. Oh, and don't go out at night for awhile ...
Seriously - bummer. It happens so fast you do your best and feel terrible after. I have noticed that Ma Nature plans for such untimely events by producing extra.
Hitting a critter like that is a terrible feeling. I whacked a bird coming back from Wisconsin, a starling I think, that was flying too low and slow across the roadway. Ugh.
About 20 years ago, I was walking down the 17th Street hill in San Francisco when I saw a kitty hiding near a parked car. We made eye contact, but he didn't want any attention. He ran away from me and into traffic and was promptly killed by a car coming down the very steep hill. The driver felt awful, but there was nothing she could do. I still feel guilty about it to this day.
Bummer. I haven't run over any living animals in so long, that I've taken to feeling guilty for butterflies that smack into the windshield.
Sympathies.
Germaine--so I was doing a good thing?
Lynne--sticks with you, doesn't it? I wasn't thinking this morning and went the same way (the scenic route) and saw the place--his body was gone, at least--but I shuddered.
Splotch--ouch.
NCMtnWoman--the sensory perceptions just compound the horror of it all. But you're right--it's just that animal's fate.
Susan--oh you! I don't believe in Hell--so will I have to go to the republican national convention instead? Same diff. Just sayin'.
Fran--you are absolved of guilt, my friend. Go in peace.
Rabbits' Guy--that's true, there are LOTS of squirrels....
Bubs--obviously he was doing a gang initiation thing, where he had to fly across low and slow. Guess he didn't make the gang.
Matty Boy--that's awful! But it wasn't your fault. Poor kitteh.
Earl--me too! I love butterflies, and we have so many swallowtails flying around right now. Oh dear.
Not murderer! Just culling the Dumb genes. At least that's what I think in an attempt at self-justification for a lack of better attention.
I take it you like the Mt. Rainier Photo.
Thanks for the visit and 3 Wow's,
Troy
He's free now.
That happened to me once. Very sad. I was aiming for a Republican!
It is hard to remember at times that we are on the squirrels turf, not the other way around.
Oh Delia... I hate when this happens, too. I killed a gull once.
I know what you mean--the dread of hitting an live animal on the road. I have braked hard many times, and stopped a few to pick up a wandering turtle--helping it cross to the other side the direction it is heading.
Actually--I have a thought that Stephen King should write a Cujo-like story wherein roadkill rises up and . . .
Oops--that isn't helping you. Sorry.
I hit a duck once. felt awful. I know how you feel. :(
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