Person who killed dogs ruined families’ Christmas

Christmas is a time of love and faith and family. It is a time to rest, hold each other close and celebrate the birth of our Christ. Please slow down. Enjoy this time of year.

Last night, someone, you, in a hurry, killed two of the dogs in our neighborhood...from two different families on the same street. One of the families had gone for an evening ride in their golf cart. The rest of the family followed behind them, as they always did, on foot. In one second, one loud thump and a whimper, YOU, whoever you are, ruined this season for 11 people whose lives were so filled by these wonderful pets.

I didn’t know the little brown Basset...but the big chocolate lab spent many nights in my kitchen on the big soft, warm bed she had claimed for her own. If a thunderstorm was on the way, she knew...and she would come...at whatever time of day (or night)...and bark...or chuff...either at my door, or under my bedroom window, until I got up and let her in. “Cookie” and I had a relationship that was separated only by her special love for her own family of people and my special love for the family of my own dogs. She came to me when she was sick...because she knew I would take her for help...which I did many times. I loved her...she was probably the sweetest, most gentle dog I have ever known.

When I was called to the scene of the...I hesitate to call it an accident...only you know that...we began CPR immediately...and then we hoisted “Cookie’s” 100-pound body into the back of my car...the 10-year-old daughter continued CPR for the 30 minutes it took us to get to the vet. This little girl had such courage...she knew she was “Cookie’s” only hope...she was her heartbeat...she held her life in her hands...she was exhausted but she kept on...and on...and on...It was “after hours” and the clinic was closed...but the vet had stayed to help if she could...she always does...I prayed she had one miracle left...but I guess she had used them all up that day...our “Cookie” was gone.

I have been up all night thinking of the horror of last night and the beauty of this animal’s life...how many people she touched with her gentleness...the way she laid on her back, feet straight up in the air and wagged her tail...sometimes a girl just has to do that...right, “Cook”?...the way she talked with grunts and big brown-eyed looks...the softness, unmistakable...I could always tell what she wanted...we connected that way.

I think people would be lucky to love animals the way I do...but just natural human kindness...where was that last night? Maybe you couldn’t help hitting both dogs...maybe you were trying not to hit the family...or maybe you just didn’t care...we will never know, will we? Because you didn’t have the guts or the heart to stop and see what you had done and if you could help. You will never answer to us...but one day...you WILL face God...explain to Him...in the meantime, my heart is heavy with grief for the Greens and the Howards...and the emptiness they will feel at this Christmas...and for the rest of their lives...

Cookie is with Sandy’s dad this Christmas...he passed away this summer...maybe Cookie couldn’t bear to think of him being alone this time of year...maybe she knew these families had each other to get them through this time of togetherness...but she crossed Rainbow Bridge last night, to sit by Mr. Turner’s chair, by a warm fire...and keep him company through this season...when families are supposed to be together...thankful that one day we will all be together again because Jesus came to live among us...

My heart hurts for all of these people...my heart hurts for me and my family...my heart hurts for the driver...because you just don’t know...or care...what you did...you obviously never shared that perfect bond between human and dog...that gift so many of us enjoy...you have my pity...and my rage...and when you face God, the Father...you explain it to Him...why you shouldn’t stop to help...or lift or pump or cry with us...

May you one day find the meaning of the season...

Libby Swad

President Humane Society of Cherokee County