A sunny spring day and all the kids were across the street playing. I decided to take Buffy outside with me without a leash, something I never did – not even as a ten-year-old.

We went across the street to the Mandy’s to  play with the other neighborhood kids. Buffy was so happy to be the center of attention. But she didn’t know the limits like we did.

I saw her run towards the street. I saw a car going to fast coming down the street. I yelled for her to come back but she didn’t. She ran in front of a parked car. The speeding Mr. Jolly didn’t have the chance to see her.

I heard the thudding sound under the car. I heard the screech of the tires. I heard the screaming inside my head and the bursting of my heart.

Me, the one who treated even my stuffed animals with care and tenderness. And I would have to live with this new feeling of intense guilt.

I know. Not such a “jolly” memory for today’s prompt. Nevertheless, a true story that changed my life. Life is full of lessons tethered to both good and bad memories.  Over the years, I have loved many dogs and I do my very best to keep them out of harm’s way.

via Jolly