I am a new comer to this forum. I lost Snoopy (a beagle) on July 12, 2006. On that day, I opened the patio door to let Snoopy out to the backyard when I came home from work. I did a lot of work to the backyard to make sure Snoopy cannot get out from it.

The gate has an automatic closer. However, on that day, someone put a box at the gate to keep it open. After Snoopy got out to the backyard, I followed him immediately and watched him playing from the deck. After playing for a few second, he noticed the gate was open, and I noticed it at about the same time. He ran out, and I got back into the house to put on my shoes and followed him just 5 seconds later. I thought I would be running a long way to catch him back. But it was too late. Before I could run to the front of our house, I heard several loud cries from Snoopy, and those sounds hurt me like swords cutting my heart.

When I came to the front of my house, Snoopy was lying on his side not letting anyone to touch him. There was an eyewitness running to Snoopy's rescue at that time. Snoopy had been hit by the van of my next door neighbor. He was pulling his van to his driveway when I reached Snoopy. When Snoopy realized that it was me, he calmed down and lay still and breathed heavily.

I could not see any broken bones nor blood from his body. After making some quick assessments for about 30 seconds, I went back to the house to get his big pillow. Bystanders helped me to put him on the pillow without moving his body. Someone offered to drive me to the vet, so I took Snoopy to the back seat and sat beside him.

On the way to the vet, Knowing the pain that Snoopy was in, I could not calm myself down. The vet is about 5 minutes' drive from my house. After about 2 minutes, I realized that I should watch for Snoopy's vital signs. He was not breathing. Tears came out from my eyes immediately. I don't know when he stopped breathing. It could be the time we put him on the pillow. I told the driver that Snoopy was not breathing. He increased his speed.

When we were at the vet, the doctor was not there but there was a nurse. I cried out loud that we had an emergency. She dropped what she was doing and looked at Snoopy. I asked her if he was dead. She told me that he looked dead. She quickly picked up a stethoscope and examined Snoopy. She confirmed that he was dead. I asked her if there is anything that she could do. She said she was sorry.

Eyewitness (also the driver) told me afterwards that Snoopy was under the wheel of the van. The van dragged him 20 feet before he got freed. I do not understand why I could not find any broken bones. How did he get up to reach the curb and saw me for the last time? It seemed to me that he was trying to get back to our house. I noticed later that the portion of my pants where Snoopy's muzzle laid was soaked with blood. There was also blood around his nose that we noticed later. I did not examine Snoopy any further before we buried him. Everyone, including my daughter was so emotional when we came back from the vet with Snoopy’s body.

I read Seakini’s story about her cat in this forum several days ago. A car also hit her cat. There were also not much visible injury. There was also blood around the nose. Does anyone know the cause of death of our pets? I know that they had internal injury. Could it be bleeding in the lungs? I know that nothing could bring him back, but I just want to know how much pain he suffered.

I had to pull my wisdom tooth 3 days later. The next day I had a fever and suffered pain. I bargained with God that I would not take any pain killer. I asked God that the extra pain that I suffered would be subtracted from the pain Snoopy suffered. I remembered Snoopy went quite peacefully on my lap.

I just hope that I will see Snoopy again on my way to heaven. Meanwhile I have to do well to earn my passage to the place he went.

Andrew - I am so sorry about what happpened to your precious pet Snoopy. I cannot imagine the horror you felt when you heard him and saw what had happened. You did everything you could for him. He was with you and you were comforting him when he went. As far as what caused the blood from the nose, I am no vet, but it sounds like there was bleeding in the lungs like you said, or it could have been from the stomach. Whatever it was, it was internal, and I'm sure he went quickly. It sounds like he was trying to get home to you, but you were by his side so fast. Like I said, you rushed him to the vet, and were so gentle with him, and did everything you could. My heart goes out to you and your family. You will find comfort here from those of us who have lost our beloved pets. I lost my 6 year old cat Scooter to kidney disease 10 days ago. I know tha pain and heartbreak you are feeling. Take care of yourself, and please talk to us here anytime you want. Again, I am so, so sorry

I'm so sorry for your loss, Andrew. Like Shortrish, I'm not a vet, but from what I've heard, there must be injury to the internal organs - lungs, liver, heart - that may not be visible externally. However, I believe that shock probably takes precedence over any pain an animal who's been injured feels. If there is any small comfort in this, it's that Snoopy was right by you when he left. You did everything you personally could do, and I'm grateful for you and Snoopy that you had someone to drive you so that you could be there for Snoopy when he left.

Please come back and let us know how you're doing. I've found so many thoughtful and heartfelt words of comfort here from such caring people who want to help. Again, my deepest sympathy for your heartbreaking loss - Take care - Barbara

ANdrew, tears came to my eyes as I read your story. I am so sorry! I can only imagine what you went through and are going through. One minute life seems good, and the next---life will never be the same.

Your Snoopy was indeed comforted by your presence. You were there by his side. I am so glad that you saw the gate, so that at least you were able to instantly be there by his side for his last moments. But what a horrific scene for you. If only we could turn back the clock!!!

Know that Snoopy is in a good place---in the realm where there's no distress of any kind, and no sense of separation from you. You'll be reunited, and it will be to Snoopy as though no time has passed. He's fine right now---but the hard part is the grief you are experiencing. Do you have support from people in your life to help you through? You'll always have us, and we'll help, so please keep in touch.

My heart goes out to you in your excruciating grief.

Prayers of peace to you Andrew,
Love,
Kathy

I am so very sorry for your loss. I am crying for you. I know Snoopy is at the bridge playing and healthy again waiting for the day he can be reunited with you.
Sending you ((((Hugs))))

Michelle

Thanks for your kind words.

I do not know if this was a sign or not. Five days after he left, in the morning when I opened the garage door, I heard a sound that sounded like a choir of angels from the direction we buried Snoopy. Then I told myself that it was just the sound of a distant ambulance mixed with wind noise.

I also noticed that there were 3 feathers on the driveway very close to the garage door. I found that a bit strange but continued on to go to work. That was 7:30 in the morning.

Three hours later in my office, I became curious about the 3 feathers. Snoopy has 3 masters, my daughter, my wife and myself. I called my wife at home and asked her to check if the feathers were still there. I figured that the feathers should have been blown away by the wind. However, if they were meant for us, then the giver would probably want to make sure we get them.

Half an hour later I call my wife again to see if she had checked. She was recovering from a surgery and had difficulty climbing stairs. She had not checked yet. I told her to go right after this call and save the feathers if she find them.

The feathers were still there waiting to be picked up. I believe the feathers were sent by Snoopy. He wanted to tell us that it was not the end! Thanks Snoopy. We love you, forever.

Isn't it wonderful when we can be blessed enough to receive gifts like these from beloved companions after they've passed on? If you read some of the stories people on this forum have written expressing these types of miracles - and I consider them miracles, myself - you'll have no doubt that those who cross over (for lack of a better term) are able and happy to give us these gifts. I've had some unusual, unexplainable things happen with regard to my departed pets too, and it can be a source of incredible comfort to those of us left behind. Sometimes these things happen when we most need them, and sometimes there is a tendency to see these things as coincidental, or wishful thinking, or something unrelated to our loss. Maybe so, but there's something in me that feels that when things like these happen, there can be no rational reason, however hard we try to find one. Sometimes it's better to just accept, no matter what anyone says or thinks.

I'm sorry for your loss, and while it's hard to find a silver lining in such a tragedy, maybe Snoopy gave you one. What a generous friend in him you have!

I am your wife was able to retrieve the three feathers. I'm sure they were sent by your beloved Snoopy. I have written this before in other responses, but today was 2 weeks since we lost our 6 year old cat Scooter. He loved to drink from the water fawcets in the house. I was in the bathroom and the nightlight went out. This is a nightlight you turn on and off yourself. When I turned the water fawcet on, the nightlight came back on again. I checked and the bulb was in there nice and secure. I like to believe that Scooter was letting me know that he is still here with us in spirit and that he is ok. I believe in miracles, and I believe that we have witnessed them now. Take care, and keep believing.

What a traggic experience for you and Snoopy...I am so sorry for your loss.

I got chills reading your update about the feathers. What an amazing message from Snoopy. He is OK and waiting.

I think I am starting to believe in all these signs more from all these amazing stories. Thanks for sharing Andrew.