It was my fault he got hurt

[SessyRocks]

Earlier today I took my dogs for a walk, like I do every day. I have a girl chihuahua mix and a boy dachshund mix (she's spayed, he's neutered so never had puppies). I let them both off the leash like I do every day when we walk along the canal. They are both great on their recall. They know they are supposed to follow me when off leash. I don't know what happened today but Shorty, my boy dog, ran across the street in front of traffic to the park. He must have seen another dog or a cat or something. I didn't want to call him to me, because I didn't want him crossing traffic again. He had managed to get across just fine. So I went to the crosswalk and went to the park. But when I got there I didn't see him and this lady told me if I was looking for a dog because one had just gotten hit by a car across the street by the canal. My heart sank. I saw a small white truck pulled over. I didn't bother with using the cross walk to get through that time. I just ran through the traffic. Shorty was standing away from the truck in the grass. He just looked shaken up. I asked the lady that hit him to give me a ride home. Once at home I treated his wounds, he doesn't have anything broken thank God. He's walking when he has to, but for the most part he is just laying down. He has these cuts on the underside of his stomach. I treated those with hydrogen peroxide and I gave him sugar water to keep him from going into shock. I also have aspirin specially made for dogs and I'm giving it to him for the pain. When he walks he uses all of his legs, so I think he's just really sore, which of course is understandable. He's alert, he's laying on the floor in the family room. He has his head up watching and listening to everything and he wags his tail if you talk to him. He's also eating normally. He ate some spagetti with dog food earlier. I feel so bad though. I know this was all my fault. I should have never let either of them off of the leash. I know better. It was stupid of me. I will NEVER let my dogs off leash again unless we're in a fenced in area. I hope that I can use this experience to educate other people that let their dogs walk off leash. It's not safe. Not matter how well your dog follows you or comes back when called. All it takes is one time for your dog to get distracted by something away from you for it to get hit by a car.

[Power Cosmic]

I'm really sorry to hear that this happened =(.
I'd still actually recommend taking him to a vet, since there might have been internal injuries, even if he seems okay. I mean, I know it'll cost a bit, but it's always good to be safe than sorry, you know?

I hope he turns out to be okay though.

[annabanana.]

April i'm sorry this has happened It wasn't your fault though, these things sometimes happen I guess. If you do it generally then it definately wasn't your fault.. How were you to know it would happen? - You weren't. I would also recommend taking him to a vet just to make sure everything is OK. Better to be safe than sorry hey?

Take care.
Anna

[lea-x-fallen]

thats really scary, but it wasnt your fault. things like that happen. its no ones fault. but like other people have said take him to the vets, just to get him checked over.

[SessyRocks]

I took him in to the vet earlier today. Everything is fine, other than the scrapes on his underbelly and some bruising he's fine. He was walking a lot more today. One of his little friends from the neighborhood (a neighbor's small dog) came over and he perked up and walked around with her for a bit.

[annabanana.]

Oh that's great April, i'm really glad he's alright!
Take care.
Anna

[Power Cosmic]

That's great to hear that he's alright April =). ^_^