A national holiday in France. The mayor has put out the flags on the war memorial. Bob and Sophie watch as he clambers up the step ladder to fix the final one.
By the village hall two new election posters have appeared. Bob christens them. Sophie ignores them and rushes by in search of something malodorous in the drainage ditch.
Time to head off into town for the morning croissants . We park, as we almost always do, in one of the angled spaces on the market square. Being a holiday it's quiet and all the shops, bar the bakers,are shut. Not a soul to be seen. The PONs are harnessed up and jump from the back of the car. At this point a teenage girl - talking on the phone - drives past and at the very last minute turns her little black Renault , at speed , into the vacant parking spot next door. She overshoots and runs over the kerb. The front bumper hits Bob on the head with a loud bang. Not a clunk but a bang. For a moment I'm convinced he's a goner. He stands bewildered then turns and sprints back to me. He's on his lead so it's really only three or four steps. The girl gets out, checks her bumper and informs me '' Your dog could have damaged my car " - except she doesn't phrase it quite that politely. Bob is shocked but a quick check shows his paws, jaw and eye sight are fine. A trickle of blood indicates a mouth problem and sure enough the collision has broken one of his incisors. It's a big bank holiday in France. Even the emergency vet closed. So far he seems fine.
He's given soft pasta for breakfast which he eats with enthusiasm. It must be painful but he's not showing it. He'll be at the vets at seven thirty on Tuesday morning.
Lesson #4 of dog ownership. If something can go wrong it will always be on a national holiday when the vets are closed.
31 comments:
Oh Bob, our Bob! How awful you saw this happen. It happened so fast, Bob probably has no idea what clobbered him. I am so grateful you and Sophie were spared the collision. Please know we will be saying prayers for Bob. The things I want to say about this woman are not printable!
OMG this would upset me so much. Poor Bob. Please tell us you took her plate numbers, name, photo, etc., filed a police report and will send her the vet bills. I know it will not recompensate for what really matters, but at least she might learn the lesson. I'd be so upset if someone injured my dog. I'm sure you are too. She could have ran into a small child driving recklessly like that. Not saying hitting a dog is forgivable though, but mentioning a toddler or any child typically helps when you need support from police. Sending good thoughts Bob's way
Just to clarify, I said this would upset me if it was my dog, but I'm also very upset this has happened to Bob. Worried about Bob and I'm really irritated with that driver.
Oh no, although above all we are relieved that Bob was not more badly hurt, this is horrible start to May. Hope the vet can help tomorrow, and meanwhile Bob is not too uncomfortable.
Sending hugs to Bob and the rest of you.
Gail (and Bertie).
PS Bertie is mildly surprised that Sophie did not notice something malodorous about one of those two election poster.
That is Just Not Acceptable! Poor Bob, and poor you! As Anonymous says - it could have been a child, and it could so easily have resulted in Bob's death too. I do hope you are making a BIG FUSS about it - as a young driver she needs to learn now that driving a car carries serious responsibilities.... and most young people only heed those lessons through their wallet!
Oh ANGUS - the news about BOB is so worrisome. Do make sure you check him during the day for concussion, or worse - if she banged
him on the head like that. No words to convey how all of us feel about her, and her churly remark. None. Please let us all know how he is doing - and again after his visit to the Vet. BOB is so very dear, so trusting, so loving. You do know - don't you! - all the good thoughts and the prayers that we (your loyal followers) will have for him, following this recent event. BOB - we all love you. Warmest thoughts from the Westcoast of Canada.
National holiday....or in the wee hours of the morning. Can't believe the girl was so rude.
Dear Angus,
As everyone here, I am so horrified by what happened to the sweet Bob. As a french, I am ashamed !
But, even on a national holiday, there is an emergency vet in every town. If you want, I can look for it and give you the telephone number.
Please, let me know Angus.
Veronique
Oh no, Poor Bob - and poor you too Angus, such a shock. We know how it is when one of our fur babies is injured. Personally I'd throw the book at the horrible girl, she was totally in the wrong and should be made to realise it. Talking on her phone, whilst driving, and not paying attention, is an offence. We hope that you have all her details, and will report the matter to the police - it could be a child next time. Her comment that Bob could have damaged her car, was enough to make me want to see her in jail !!
We hope our boy doesn't have any lasting damage. Big hugs for him, from us here.
What appalling behaviour by the young woman! I hope Bob is OK.
Unbelievable! I hope you gave her a piece of your mind. But mostly I hope Bob is ok.
Oh Bob, we won't type the unrepeatable words we think about the girl who drove her car into you, but our eight paws are all crossed that all is OK when you see your vet tomorrow morning. In the meantime we suggest ice cream and lots of cuddles from Angus and The Font... even a special dispensation to sleep in their bedroom tonight!
We are thinking of you and sending our love and gentle woofs from NZ to France,
Riley and Enzo.
Angus.....!!!
How awful....
Words fail me...
Cuddles for both dogs from us
Poor Bob. Careless, Dangerous, thoughtless girl. Thankfully he is sort of okay but this could have been worse and what would her reaction be if she had done this to a small child.
You are absolutely right. Having Bob injured is bad enough but if it had been a school morning with the toddlers about ?
Poor Sweet Bob! I admire your restraint.. Something I read online comes to mind. "I'm usually calm and reserved, but if you mess with my horse (dog), you'll see a form of crazy you've only dreamed of!"
I'd never expect a dog to be hit while on a lead! What a shocker for poor Bob. That teenage driver is beyond the pale. I hope Bob does OK at the Vet. (And I hope the driver gets what she deserves too.)
So sorry to learn of this! Hope Bob is not in too much pain.
I'm so upset about this. Poor Bob - on a lead just standing there. And what a stupid thing to say your dog could have hurt my bumper. I hope you said you could have killed my dog -- please do advise the police; just another example of how young people only think of themselves as being wronged. I'll pray for Bob and if you recognize that driver, I would definitely do something about her.
I am so sorry about Bob. I am sure you are watching him very closely and checking him out today.
This was very upsetting to me as I was reading your blog this morning, holding my breath till I read he was doing alright. These two wonderful fur babies have had enough problems it is time for a easy life for them and his owners.
I feel like you will have him checked all over while he is at the Vet tomorrow. Can't wait to read what the Vet said about Bob.
May God bless Bob and his flock, and may the veterinary angels heal Bob's battle wounds with skill and care. And, may God bless the young driver with a pox so virulent, that it prevents her ever again from cell phone usage while driving.
Oh no!!! What is WITH the young kids these days??? Everything is never their fault. My blood is boiling over this. I hope Bob is doing okay and that the vet will give him a solid 100% (with a sore tooth). Keep us posted.
Oh No!!! I am sending healing prayers for sweet BOB. I am so sorry you and BOB have to deal with this. I can't print what I think of the person so insensitive as to hurt an animal with out remorse. Please give Bob my love. I can't wait to read tomorrow for an update. I feel so bad for you both.
Vicki
Poor Bob! Did you get the name, phone number and license # of that stupid girl?! How inconsiderate! Can you give him half a baby aspirin (81 mg) for pain? I hope the vet can fix up the brave boy!
Sending loving wishes to dear Bob and prayers that the loving care of his devoted family helps with the tooth pain and there are no other physical issues; as everyone else has said, there are no words to describe my rage at that young woman. I wish she could know that people around the world consider her attitude unforgivable and want her held legally responsible for her deplorable actions and behavior. Thinking of dear Bob and waiting for the vet checkup, DBH
Dear Sweet Bob didn't deserve that at all!! If that young lady only knew how many people she's upset around the world, she would run and hide. (And should) I'm sure I wouldn't have handled it as diplomatically as you did, Angus; my temper flairs when animals get taken for granted or abused. Love and prayers for our sweet boy, and paws crossed all goes well at the vets.
It will be a long day for us all worrying about Bob, I hope he will be fine. I do hope you report this horrible girl to the police.
I don't even know what to say! I fear I might have have become physically violent with the idiot girl. Sending out all the best thoughts for Bob (and you).
This is utterly distressing. Our prayers are with you all. Darling Bob.
That horrid girl. Hope you took down all her information and will notify the local constabulary and her insurance company. She is a menace. I would have wanted to smack her upside the head.
All paws crossed for Bob's well-being. And for that of Angus and The Font, as well.
Had no real chance to remonstrate with the girl. Priority was finding out what Bobs injuries were and ensuring that both dogs were back safely in the car. The teenager , unbothered by what she'd done, had gone.
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