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Lucy
So anything I say here will be more of an reason than an excuse, or maybe it's the other way around. Honestly, I'm feeling a little disoriented right now.
Yesterday I brought the kids home from school and we all came inside to start our afternoon activities. At one point Robbie came up to me and told me that he couldn't find our puppy, Lucy. I asked him to go put some kibble in her dish for lunch and see if that brought her out. I assumed she was out romping in the yard, but Robbie came back and told me he still couldn't find her.
So I went with him to look around the house. We looked in all her usual hiding places like next to my bed, under the kitchen table, and out in the yard, and just as I was about to call Craig I had an awful thought.
What if she's still in the van?
I ran out there and Mike and Robbie followed, and there she was, my kids' sweet puppy, in a hot car and unresponsive.
Mike and Robbie got to watch as I ran her into the house and tried to cool her off. I thought there was still a chance to bring her back, so they saw while I tried to get her breathing, and frantically tried to get Craig on the phone. I finally sent them into the living room to wait for me, and I instant messaged several of Craig's coworkers.
He raced home to me, our children, and our dead dog. And it was all because I forgot to bring her in from the car.
oh my god that is so awful. not sure what else to say except that I'm really sorry to hear this news- what a horrible thing to have happen.
Oh, Erika. I'm so sorry.
I don't know how to say this without it sounding trite, but please don't let this eat you up inside. Please know that I am sending you all healing hugs right now.
oh honey. I'm so sorry. :( But I agree with DD. Don't let it hurt you too much.
Sending my hugs to you, and your kids. How terrible for all of you. Please accept my sympathies and please know that accidents happen…my heart goes out to you.
i am so very sorry and i am sending gentle hugs for you to share with the boys.
Ohhhh, I am so sorry…. Hugs to you and your kiddos.
I'm thinking of you now at the age of about 3, freak flag flying, on your way to a rock concert, peace sign and "smile on your brother," on your tummy. Can't seem to post the picure here. Love you, baby.
Dad
I'm very sorry. I'm not even sure how I'd discuss this with the kids. Wow. You have my prayers and my support. Accidents happen to all of us.
:(
Please don't beat yourself up too much about it.
oh no!
I am so sorry :( I hope you and the boys feel better soon.
Oh, I am so sorry.
I'm sorry :(
Oh sweetie, try not to carry this too hard. I'm so sorry. We're all so busy, and so focused on our kids.
I'm really sorry, Erika.
Oh my god. I'm so, so sorry.
I how awful. I am so so sorry this happened. As others have said, be said, but don't beat yourself up.
{{hugs}}
My deepest condolences. I'm sorry to hear about the puppy
Oh y, I'm so sorry! We have a 15 week old puppy, and I refuse to take hi or my older dog in the car at all, cause I know I would forget! I hope you all are doing ok, and I send you my thoughts and prayers!
I am so so sorry this happened, honey. Thinking of you and your family. (((hugs)))
I'm so sorry. Gentle internet vibes for you and your boys.
Oh no, I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry! This should never happen to a family. Please dont beat yourself up about it. It was an accident and there is no one to blame. Hugs to you and your boys.
Oh, Erika I'm so sorry.
I am so, so sorry.
I know there is nothing I can say right now that can make you feel any better about it.
oh lord, how awful! it's amazing things like this don't happen to busy moms every day — we're often so overloaded and busy we don't even realize it…
this could have happened to anyone, but i know that doesn't make you feel any better
Oh no. I know you must be eaten up with guilt, but really…it could (and does) happen to anybody. I'm sure anybody who knows you knows it wasn't neglect or cruelty. It was an accident, pure and simple. ((HUGS))
Oh, man…you poor things, all of you. That just sucks, and I'm so sorry.
Oh Shit E….
It really shows that stuff like that can happen to ANY of us….I am so sorry…..
So so sorry….
Oh man… that just sucks. So sorry to hear about it girl.
Oh Erika, I'm so sorry! I've got tears for you.
Oh my God, what an awful awful story. I know it is impossible, but try not to beat yourself up…we are just not perfect. I'm just so sorry for you:(
Oh I am so very sorry.. I feel horrible for you. I wish I could help and make it better for you & the kids. Hang in there.
I'm really sorry too.
I'm so sorry. I also wish there was something more I could do.
Oh Erika
((HUGS)) I don't know what else to say, I'm so sorry.
We love you
Erika, oh, god, I'm so sorry. I wish I could say or do any-damn-thing to make you feel better. But listen: You are a busy mother to three children. Anybody with as many responsibilities and duties as you have could have done the same thing. Anybody.
I know that doesn't help. But I believe it. And I am, once again, so so so sorry.
I'm pretty much going to say what everyone else has said. I am so sorry! You shouldn't blame yourself or anyone for this. You have a great little community of support and should know that we're all here for you in good times and bad.
((hugs))
I am so sorry.
Nothing I can say can help you heal right now. Try not to beat yourself up too badly, remember you are far harder on yourself than you deserve.
Oh no! That is just horrible, I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now. It really could have happened to anyone, I am so sorry.
OH, Jane. I am so sorry. Nothing else I can say.
Erika, I am really sorry. You're still fabulous.
My heart literally hurts for you right now. I can only imagine what you're feeling right now and I want you to know that I'm thinking of you and praying for you. This story and your pain has touched my soul and I've been thinking of you all day since I first read it.
What a trauma for you and the kids. Very sorry to hear about it. Try not to be too hard on yourself. Anyone could have easily done it.
Oh God. I'm sure there is nothing I could say to ease your heartache. I'm so sorry.
Oh Erika, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.
Oh no, I am so, so sorry! What a horrible ordeal. I am sending hugs to you and your family.
OMG, I am so so sorry! I know how crazy you guys were about that puppy! Poor boys! Poor mommy!
Erika,
I am so sorry, friend.
Try not to be too hard on yourself.
Much love,
Jessica
What a horrible thing for you! I'm so sorry.
Oh man, I am sorry to hear that. I know it is hard but don't be hard on yourself.
I am so very sorry to hear about this tragic family experience. Please take care of yourself and honor your feelings. In time, as you heal, this event will add to the collective wisdom that you are sure to bravely and generously share with the rest of us. You are extraordinarily talented in your ability to gift your readers (and friends) with your experiences in a way that encourages growth, supports forgiveness and celebrates relationships. Many warm wishes for comfort, rest and peace for you and your family. Erin
Don't beat yourself up over it? Don't take it to hard? Don't blame yourself? Accidents happen? She KILLED a puppy folks. Let's hope the kids are old enough to open car doors in case she forgets them one day too. No napping in the van kiddos!
OMG How sad. I am just sobbing about this. I am so sorry for your family and for your pup.
Deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths. I am so, so sorry for you and your family.
Hugs hugs hugs
Erika - I am so, so sorry. I'm not sure what else I can possibly say but this. Just know you and your sweet boys are in my thoughts.
I know how hurt you must feel. It's ok to stop feeling that way, it's over. And I am so sorry this happened. Thinking of you - Be Well.
You poor thing! It was just a tragic, tragic accident - please be gentle with yourself.
Oh Erika, I'm so sorry. :(
So very sorry Erika…us Moms just have so much on our minds…it really could have happened to any of us.
Mel sent me over… I am so very sorry. I will say a prayer for you and your family to get through this tragic accident.
Jesus. I am so sorry.
I hope you and your kids are not beating yourselves up here…
I am so sorry to hear this. Poor puppy, poor family, poor you!
Redsy's and Karen's comments are so true. I've been thinking lately about how we can forget even the most important thing (or even being) when we get too busy, too stressed, too frazzled. Your loss is making me think even harder about it and about ways I can trim some of these things from my life so I can keep my focus on what is most important.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
I'm a new visitor to your blog - linked up from Mom-o-Matic. I'm so sorry to hear about Lucy. My thoughts are with you and your kiddies. Love to Lucy, too.
I am so, so sorry.
[...] "Lucy" from Plain Jane Mom Blog. Words can't express how I feel about this post. My heart aches for Erika and her family. [...]
I am so sorry for you, the boys and dear Lucy. I don't know what else to say.
Oh Erika…I am so very sorry to read this. Hugs to you and your family. Please try not to be too hard on yourself.
Sorry to hear of this Erika. (((hugs))) to you and your family.
Erika, I'm reaching out to hug you from afar. I'm so, so very sorry for what happened to Lucy. I feel like crying with you.
I'm sorta feeling your pain. My parents had to put down the family dog yesterday and it's just so difficult to deal with.
I am SO sorry. Thinking of you.
That was a horrible accident. I am so sorry.
I cannot imagine what you must be feeling. I am SO sorry.
I'm very sorry about Lucy. I think most of us recognize that this kind of accident could happen to any one of us. I'm sorry that it happened to you and Lucy. Thank you for sharing, it may save another pup in the long run. (((hugs)))
I'm so sorry.
And echoing fidget above, I can certainly recognize how this kind of accident can happen.
My heart is literally aching right now. I am so, so very sorry about this. When my Lab was 3 months old she fell out of my car window while I was driving. Miraculously, she was OK. But it could have been A LOT worse. So believe me, I know how accidents can happen. We just lost our mixed breed to cancer a few weeks ago. So I know the pain you're feeling in your loss right now. I am thinking of your whole family.
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
Erika, I am just so sorry that you are having to go through this right now. It's so easy to heap blame on ourselves when something like this happens, but it was so clearly an accident. I hope and pray that you'll start forgiving yourself sooner rather than later. This morning my husband discovered that one of our kids' cats was inside a truck we rarely use. She'd apparently jumped in there yesterday morning when he opened the door to get something out of there. The only reason she didn't die was because we had a cool spell the past 24 hours. These things happen, and it makes us so heartsick when they do. Hugs and blessings to you and yours.
Nicole
I am so sorry. I wish I had better words. I am just so sorry. And I wish you all the strength you'll need to help the kids to understand what happened.
Be kind to yourself. If only the accidents in life were merely a reflection of our intentions. I hope the grieving process is a gentle one for you all.
Erika, I am so sorry about your puppy - it's so painful for you on so many levels, but I hope you'll remember how much you give to people. We lost our first baby goat several months back - it's one of life's mountains I would rather not climb. I feel for you and your family.
Leigh
I'm so sorry. Please try to remember it was an accident. Meera is right: Be kind to yourself.
I am so sorry!
Oh girl, I can imagine how terrible you must feel. What a tragic accident and a wake-up call for me. I often take our puppy with me when I pick the kids up from school. It can get so chaotic getting the baby and three bickering kids out of the car and into the house. Our puppy often falls asleep in the car. I can see how easily they can be forgotten. Thank you for posting this. You just may have saved my puppy's life. I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Really sorry Erika. If this can happen to you, it can happen to anyone. I know you feel awful, but I really mean it when I say to not beat yourself up. You and the kids will get through this! Hugs to you, Marilyn, Steve, Maia, Rowan and Zach XXXXX00000
I honestly can't say anything else everyone else hasn't already said but I'm thinking of you and your family. Accidents are just awful but they do happen. I'm so sorry it happened to you.
I'm a little/very late on this, but still wanted to say how sorry I am. That must've been just awful.
My heart goes out to you!
So very sad. I'm so sorry you all have to go through this. It must be just devastating.
Oh Erika, I am so very, very sorry.
My thoughts are with you all.
Oh Erika! I'm sure you're just sick. You didn't mean to. I know you didn't. I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could do other than offer these words.
I'm so sorry to hear that. My condolences to you and your family.
:(
Dana over at The Dana Files told me about your loss. I am so sorry for you and your family. We lost one of our dogs earlier this year and the pain slowly goes away…but we are learning, it always remains. ((hugs)) to you.
Really sorry erika, what an absolutely awful thing to happen. And the terrifying thing is that it seems most of us can imagine it happening to us, too. Terrifying, awful, unimaginable, miserable and quite, quite possible. Thinking of you.
Oh my. My heart just aches for all of you. Thinking of you…
OMG, I am so sorry! I feel so bad for you guys!
I missed this post earlier, but just wanted to say I am so sorry, that's just awful. And it was an accident, as everyone has said. Take care of yourself and your family.
Michele - thank you for stating things as they are.
This was more than an accident - this was NEGLECT, and it's shameful.
If you can imagine this happening to you (as so many of you have said), perhaps you should consider investing in birth control. Some people shouldn't breed. And people who can "forget" their animal because they're too "busy" shouldn't breed, period.
All my life, I never considered myself a "dog person". Then, my younger son, who was born loving dogs with all his heart, well, we got him a puppy for his 9th birthday this spring. I'm a dog person now. And, I can't imagine the horror you are going thru and how much heartache your boys are feeling. There's no way to undo or make it better or get over it. I'm honestly sorry for the deep and abiding pain you have. You can borrow our Molly if you need to take somebody for a walk or have your face licked….she's cornered the market on face licking. :)
I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine what you're going through right now. I know others have said it, but it was an accident.
I'm so very, very sorry. You and your family are in my thoughts.
I'm so sorry for what you and your boys are going through. Please be careful who you tell about this. You can go to jail for that, a cop just did because he left his police dog in his car and it died. Please please be careful.
Oh my god Erika! How very awful! I's so sorry that you and your family had to go through something so tramatic.
My thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry for you, for your family. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this for days. Lucy knew she was loved.
so sorry for your loss.. my thoughts are with you and your family through this difficult time…
I'm so sorry. I, too, have been thinking about you since reading this post a few days ago. I hope you can find a way not to blame yourself. When I was younger I was dog sitting our neighbors puppy. I accidentally left the gate unlatched and the dog ran away. The next morning he got hit by a car and killed. The neighbors didn't blame me, but I blamed myself for so long. I'm sorry for the hurt you are going through.
First I must send you my sympathy, I have been in your boat. I once turned my dryer on and my cat was in there. I ran to the top of the steps after I found him and just kept blubbering, "I didn't know!" Well of course I didn't. It was natural for you to think that the dog would have followed you in just like any other day. It was a little blip in the course of the day that took a wrong turn. When you have your attention diverted to so many things/people at once it is sometimes hard to notice that something is awry. Do not beat yourself up and the pain will subside with time. I promise!
Secondly, shame on you Meg and Michelle. Shame. On. You. To treat another as if we are all supposed to be perfect. Do you think that it would be better that she not show remorse? Shall we pack her up and send her to the looney bin for one big mistake? Fuck you and and your "my shit smells like roses attitude". It's people like you that I can't stand.
Feel better Erika, it is nice to meet you! ;)
I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet pup. Don't be too hard on yourself. 'Michelle' and 'Meg' are rude, uncaring bitches. Ignore them.
I haven't been around much and I know I am late. I am so, so sorry.
[...] I don't usually read mommy-blogger sites. This one had a link from digg and I was sucked into reading a story about how a woman left her dog in the car, effectively killing it in the sweltering heat. Sad and heartbreaking - absolutely. Worth consolation and sympathy? I'm not so sure. Many of us have made terrible mistakes that will haunt us for a long time. That by no means indicates we were not responsible for them. It by no means entitles us to sympathy. A drunk driver who kills a family of four made a terrible mistake and had an accident, but I truly doubt many people will tell him not to beat himself up over it too much. [...]
I'm so sorry hon. I wish you peace.
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My life in California with my husband Craig and our sons Henry (6.5), Ed (6), and Charlie (3.75).
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