So, you call yourself a driving instructor!

Yesterday was a horrible day.  Me, the driving instructor, ran over the beloved family pet in the driveway!

Before I resume the rest of the story, I will tell you that he is OK.  (Insert sigh of relief here) How do you run over your own dog in your own driveway you ask?

Here's the thing.  For approx. 9 years Bandit has lain in the driveway.  For approx. 9 years, he has always moved when I am backing in or driving out........always! So, walking around the car and looking (as I teach my students) likely would not have changed much that evening, as I would have started the car, thought he would move and then drove off as per usual. Only the "usual" did not occur!

My  son and I left and immediately I noticed that something didn't sound quite right.  As I was slowing down, the dog yelped.  I was instantly sick to my stomach and I realized what I had just done.  I jumped out and screamed for my husband to help.

Here was poor Bandit, trapped under the car.  Thankfully, he was only pinned under the carriage of the vehicle.  I had not actually run over him!   I am sitting on the steps, my son is rubbing my back and I am crying.  (At this point my son says, "This is interesting.  The one who likes the dog the least is crying the most!"  Thank you son....thank you so much for your words of "encouragement")  The hubby comes to the rescue with a hydrolic jack and frees poor Bandit. Off he runs.......I breathe a sigh of relief.  I haven't killed him!

But, he looks at me with eyes that say, "You tried to kill me, I trust you not"!  He retreats to his doghouse  and stares....eyes accusing.  Once again, I am sick to my stomach.  How do you speak to a creature that does not speak your language.  Ah!  I bribe him.  A hotdog, piece of bacon, dog treat......all accepted.....but the accusation doesn't go away.  "I know what you are doing", they say, "but I still don't trust you"!  Will this shame ever end!

Thank goodness a dog's memory is not a lengthy one.    The morning comes and when I let him out of the garage (I should say that I was going to let him sleep in the house, but he wanted to part of being in close proximity of me) he bounds out, the previous day apparently behind him. Yes!  Redemption!

Today all seems well in the pet/owner world.  Though I did notice that when I backed into the driveway........the dog was no where to be seen!

GermanG