Poor Marley

Was driving to Navan the other day.  Took a road a little less travelled and just as I was coming into Trim, the road became a little uneven and narrow and bendy.

So of course you take caution, well I did as I didn’t know the road all that well.  But then came a straight, of about a half mile or so.  So pick up a little bit of speed and trundle on.

Then out of nowhere a full of beans little Labrador puppy comes bounding out of a concealed entrance and WHACK!

FUCK!

BRAKES

SKID

SCREECH

STOP

SQUEAL

I got out of the car, and instead of checking to see what kind of damage was done to my vintage Nissan bumper, I ran back to where the dog was.  It was of course now surrounded by three young kids who had all witnessed me slaughter their beloved pet.

I knew it was dead, but the kids weren’t so sure.  They kept saying things like:

“Wake him up”

“Daddy, get Daddy, he’ll wake Marley up”

“He must be ok, his front leg is twitching”

I didn’t think it was an appropriate time to mention that it’s other front leg was hanging from my wheel arch.

I kind of stood there in quiet shock for a minute, until the Father came running from the house.  Then I snapped out of it.

“I’m so sorry, it just ran out in front of me.  I didn’t have enough time to react, I couldn’t swerve, the road is too narrow”

“Right”

“Look, I’ll take care of this.  I’ll get the kids a new dog, pay for everything.  I feel terrible.”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s not like you aimed for the dog.  These things happen, the kids will get over it”

“Yeah, but”

“Seriously, check your car.  If there’s any damage come back to me”

Slightly taken aback I went to my car and saw no damage to complain about.  I casually pried the leg from the wheel and ditched it.  While I was at the car, I could hear everything that the kids were saying:

“Quick Daddy, we have to bring him to the vet”

“It won’t do any good, sweetheart, Marley is dead”

“But Daddy”

“No buts, this is what happens when you get him all excited and chase him around the garden with the gate open.  What have I told you?”

“Maybe the vet can help him”

“A vet?  On a Sunday?  I’m not forking out for that.  Besides at this stage it’s not a vet you need it’s a witch doctor.  You’ve a dead dog missing a leg.”

“Missing a…….?  WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH”

And that was my queue to exit.

They say all dogs go to heaven.  I reckon that one was heading straight for the septic tank.