only a dog.

I am sitting at the computer it's quiet, its evening, it's been cold...a loud thud. I look out of the window but I cannot see anything, then I look again,to hear the piercing scream and howl of a young girl.
Venturing outside, we see them.
A young girl huddled over her precious dog who lies pitifully limp and soaked in blood,the girl howls again.
The car has gone, the car that hit the dog leaves behind this painful picture.
We stand helplessly, 'my mam's coming' cries the girl and we try to direct the traffic, my neighbour goes to fetch a blanket and we all look helplessly at this little bundle of grief.
Mammy arrives, taking a deep breath and comforts her daughter and brings another blanket for the little friend who is no more, tears welling in her own motherly eyes.
The girls pal just stands and watches, her face white and her her lip quivering.
We go back indoors, leaving behind this little family of whom we never knew before, a shrug, a sorry and words cannot share their grief.
Losing a pet they loved, hearing the dreadful thud as the car hit ,taking away the little playmate and leaving a young girl to cry.
The rain comes and washes away the thick blood that stains the road and wipes away the story that I now tell, while knowing that this brief encounter tonight has brought someone such sadness.
Only a dog, only a friend, only part of a life that's gone forever..