Be careful driving

EDITOR:

I live in the Johnson Lane area and my street is Squires. I have wonderful neighbors and I wave when I can when they are out. I'm the one who drives a white Ford pickup, with my three dogs in the back. I'm normally driving to the hills at the end of Johnson Lane to take them for their walk but everything changed on April 29. My beloved 4-year-old shepherd mix, Torey, was hit by someone driving on my street and eventually lost her life after I found her. I know Torey shouldn't have been on the other side of the fence but something caught her attention: a lizard, rabbit, squirrel and she jumped. I was inside my home getting ready to take my dogs for a walk when this all happened. She wasn't a small dog so whoever the driver was who hit my Torey was probably driving pretty fast or was distracted.

We have a lot of distractions these days when we are driving such as cell phones, text messaging, drinking coffee, and running late. When you are running late you tend to speed a little, I have been guilty of this in the past and try not to. I'm asking all drivers, especially when driving in residential areas, to please drive slower, watch your speed, and pay attention not only to the road but its surroundings as well.

To the driver who hit Torey, you were lucky, it could have very well been somebody's child walking or riding their bike to school, a jogger running, or a couple taking a morning walk. What hurts the most is you didn't bother to stop for help after you hit her in front of my home.

So please remember when you get behind the wheel of your car remember that there is a possibility that you can hurt or kill someone if you are not paying attention. If you need to be somewhere leave a little earlier so you don't have to speed. If you need to text message or use the cell phone when driving try and pull over or wait until you reach your destination. Remember pets are family too.

I had three dogs and Torey was special to me and now my other two, Zoey and Sammy, will take their walks with me and without their beloved Torey. I guess this is my way to find closure and say goodbye to my Torey. I would like to thank the nice lady, Terri, in which she and her husband were walking and she came to my door to inform me about my dog and she helped me put Torey in the truck so I could try to get to the vet. Thank you to all the staff at the Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital for being so compassionate and caring as well as understanding my feelings. I would also like to thank my neighbors Jackie and Jerry and my best friend Carol and her son, Elliott who have all helped me get through this difficult loss of my pet. Thank you. And to the driver who hit Torey, I'm sorry my dog got in your way and I say again you were lucky because it could have been worse and I forgive you.

Rosie Lopez

Minden