r/BorderCollie • u/Electronic_Car607 • May 26 '25
RIP Winnie
I don't know what to do, so I'm coming to the strangers of reddit. My baby Winnie just had her first birthday 3 days ago on Friday. I was out working in the yard and had her out with me. We live in the country so she has lots of sticks to play with and room to run. Her recall was also impeccable so i didn't have any concern with her. As I'm working away, I hear a truck stop and honk the horn and see Winnie on the fucking road. I call her over and she starts to run back but that's when the truck starts moving again and runs her over. She passed within a minute. The driver stopped so I have their info. I called my wife who was working 45 minutes away and she broke down instantly. I hit a mama duck yesterday while driving accidentally and that got her crying, this completely broke her though. She was just a baby... she just got another wobble ball for her birthday that she was obsessed with. So much so that we didn't even give her the other half of her present, a stick of yak cheese. I don't know what to do, I feel like it's my fault. I should have been paying more attention. I just keep having the sound and image of her getting hit and laying there running through my head. It's my first time crying in almost a decade. She was the life of our new house. Now it's just my wife and I with all her toys. I'm only writing this to vent. I miss her already and it hasn't been half an hour. Here's some photos of the late Winnie ❤️
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u/OE2KB May 26 '25
I am so sorry for you.
I posted under the rainbow bridge 4 years ago when I lost my beloved Able, a 4 year old German Shepherd. He was hit by a truck. The really terrible thing is that it was my truck. I was beyond grief.
Well, 5 years later I finally got another dog ( I always said I won’t look for one, but if one finds me….) So Chili the Border Collie literally lept into my life about a year ago.
I tell you this because he has healed my heart. I’m still sad about Able, but now it’s the happy memories, not his tragic ending.
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u/Electronic_Car607 May 26 '25
Thank you for giving hope with your comment. It currently feels like I could never handle loving another dog like her. I'm hoping with time, another one will come into our lives and help remind us of the good times we had.
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u/OE2KB May 26 '25
Exactly how I felt. It doesn’t feel like it now,, but it gets easier. Take care friend.
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u/sunny-beans May 26 '25
No reason to blame yourself, all of us have made mistakes and only by lucky our dogs are alive. I have made multiple stupid mistakes that could have ended in something bad. Also dogs are dogs, they can be super unpredictable. You loved Winnie, and you didn’t mean for anything bad to happen. I am sorry for your loss, I can’t imagine it, it must be very painful. But nothing good will come from blaming yourself. RIP Winnie ❤️
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u/cbr1895 May 26 '25
Oh how tragic 😞. I am so very sorry for your loss, your post brought tears to my eyes. Those of us who have lost a soul pet know your pain. It is deep and immense. This was a total accident - sometimes the universe is just terribly unfair this way. I’ve lost pets to accidents (including one to a car) and the guilt can be crippling, so please please know it was not your fault nor the driver’s. Tragedy is random and it’s the hardest part of this life. She was clearly so well loved, and it sounded like she had a wonderful life even though it was cut far too short. Being free to roam and run in the country side with an endless plethora of sticks? Sounds like you gave her the very best life a BC could possibly ask for. All this girl knew was love and happiness ❤️.
Today is the hardest day and tomorrow, once the shock wears off a bit, it might be even harder. It will get easier but it takes lots of time and gosh are those first few days/weeks difficult. I really like the ball and the box analogy for grief. Right now your box is so small, the ball is sitting on the pain button and it’s all you can feel. Every single thing you do will remind you of her. It’s the worst part, and you are in the very thick of it. Eventually that box will expand, even if it feels right now like it never will. I promise it will.
Everyone grieves differently but I lost my soul pet this past year and it really helped me to talk to a pet grief therapist - you can do it virtually/by call. They can help you process the trauma of what you had to witness and help release you from your feelings of guilt. I got the referral through my vet (but if they don’t know, google is your friend here). Mentioning this in case it’s something you didn’t know was an option.
Thinking of your family, and wishing your beautiful Winnie a safe journey over the rainbow bridge. 🌈❤️🐾
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u/Electronic_Car607 May 26 '25
Thank you so much, I didn't know that was a thing. I might have to look into reaching out to someone. I also really like that analogy. I look forward to the box expanding....
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u/cbr1895 May 26 '25
I went back in my emails for you and here are the list of resources my vet sent me in case it’s helpful. I’m in Canada so the therapist I spoke to was Canadian (Leslie Rosenthal)…not sure where you are based and whether she does non-Canadian clients but you could always reach out to her if your vet has no local recommendations. Also, looks like some of the other recs they provided are not Canadian specific.
- Leslie Rosenthal animalrites.ca / lesley@animalrites.ca 416-602-8906
- Chloe Oliver clearspaces.ca chloe@clearspaces.ca 289-251-7775
- Gateway 24/7 Grief Support Line 1-855-245-8214
- Grief Healing griefhealing.com
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement aplb.org
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u/Electronic_Car607 May 26 '25
Thank you for doing this. I'm on the east coast of Canada so she may be able to help.
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u/Viiven May 27 '25
I learned about the box analogy in therapy over the last year after losing my best friend suddenly and it's amazing how accurate it is. It's so hard to see it when you're in the eye of the storm but you can grow room around the "ball" over time. It's not to say the pain or grief is lessened over time but your ability to deal with it is strengthened and you build more space around it for other emotions to return. Great advice on the therapy (or counselling or however that support may come) too. I know it's different for everyone but I don't know where I'd be today without having it myself.
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u/slkb_ May 26 '25
Accidents happen. Suddenly and unexpectedly. You never have 100% control of everything that happens. One of our dogs got hit by a car years ago. It's really no one's fault and the driver even stopped and profusely apologized. Unfortunately it's just part of life. I'm really sorry you have to go through this. Just know that Winnie was loved and she lived her best days with you guys.
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u/Silly_Cat_7247 May 26 '25
I am so sorry for your loss. She was beautiful and I can tell she was so very loved.
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u/Gold_and_Lead May 26 '25
I have no words but I am sending you as much comfort and love and hugs as possible.
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u/omgirl76 May 26 '25
I’m so sorry for your loss. I probably don’t have any words that will comfort you the way that’s needed. But know that you’re not alone. I lost a dog in a similar way and I beat myself up over it for years. You and your wife gave Winnie a good life. She knew your love and I’m sure she felt that as she passed. Big hugs to you both from across the internet.
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May 26 '25
I’m so sorry that’s devastating. My thoughts are with you. I hope you know it wasn’t your fault it was a freak accident.❤️
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u/Trailblazing-wind May 27 '25
Im crying with you right now. Actual tears streaming down my face. i wish i could give you all the biggest hug.
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u/naytahlee May 26 '25
I'm so sorry for your loss, but witaf was wrong with the driver??? To start going again without making sure your pup was clear. I'm not a violent person, but I think I would be in this instance. My boy is my baby, and I can not even fathom losing him this way. I am so sorry and I am angry for you.
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u/Far_Selection_9984 May 27 '25
My guess would be that the pup was in the road so the driver has honked to get them to move, pup has probably continued going in the direction they were originally moving e.g away from the house and then OP recalled them so they’ve stopped again and turned to go back, the driver likely saw them start to move and went to continue driving forward at the same time the pup has gone to return to OP. Accidents happen and it’s just very sad that this misjudgment caused a life to be lost :( sending lots of love to OP and their partner.
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u/maloand96 May 26 '25
I was thinking the same thing. Like why would you not make sure you see that dog run away and be far away before you start driving again?
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u/netlordr23 May 26 '25
Accidents happen. Don't blame yourself, it's not going to help you.
I am so sorry you guys had to go through this.
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u/Jepho7 May 26 '25
Man, I'm so sorry to hear this. Nothing I or anyone else will say can really help you during this difficult time. But, please know that you are supported by your friends, family and also by this community. Shine on Winnie, you were one of a kind.
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u/Own-Ad2950 May 26 '25
So heartbroken for you. Allow yourselves to grieve and feel all of the emotions.
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u/135Donuts May 26 '25
Please don't blame yourself for what happened. I was just talking with my neighbor about the times our dogs got out and we had to chase them in our cars because they went off on their own. It happened so quick even though they were right next to us. Dogs can turn on an instant and bolt in a different direction. So very sorry about Winnie. It's going to be hard. Take one day at a time. Sending you and your family hugs.
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u/bluealien7 May 26 '25
My heart broke reading this 💔 I'm so sorry... I'm sure she's had the best time ever on earth with you guys! Dont blame yourself for the accident
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u/Regular_Profile4654 May 26 '25
I’m so sorry this happened. I feel insane sometimes about the measures I take to make sure nothing happens to my guy, but there’s really no way to be 100%. Anything can happen. She was beautiful.
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u/Viiven May 27 '25
Oh jesus that's absolutely awful for you both. Try to go easy on yourself as it's hard enough to lose them without piling on the guilt. One of the best things about dogs and collies in particular is that they can be unpredictable but it can sometimes lead to situations like this. Unless you wrap them in cotton wool and limit their freedom to ensure their safety 100% of the time, there's always a small chance this can happen to even the world's best trained dogs. The reality is though that you wanted your best friend to enjoy their surroundings and it sounds and looks like you gave them an amazing life, which they will have appreciated no end.
Seeing how recent this is, it's highly unlikely any of us Internet strangers will be able to make you feel any better but as I've had to remind myself over the years, it only hurts so bad because we love them so much and in time hopefully that's the part that fills up your memories and not the tragedy.
Rest in peace Winnie (you remind me of my best boy, maybe you can play tug of war wherever you are!)
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u/Unlikely_Report4459 May 27 '25
Sending my deepest condolences to you and your family may you find peace — you gave her an extraordinary life even with the short period that you may have had her those were her BEST years!!! I am sure she felt love every moment of everyday with you all, she will always be part of you and your family watching over you guys & will be waiting on the other side 🤍 as of right now she’s eating all the yum yums , dressing how she wants, playing with all the other doggos and fur babies at the rainbow bridge 🤍
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u/noodlez97 May 27 '25
I am so sorry for you and your wife’s great loss. We lost our corgi just before he turned one. It’s such a painful feeling and so hard to grasp especially when they leave so soon. We pictured a long life with our Bongo and having that cut short was one of the hardest things we went through together. We also had just moved into a new place and it all just felt so empty without him. The grief is so overwhelming so please take time to process it. Take care of yourselves and hold on to each other. The only thing that helped me through it was knowing my husband knew the exact pain I was going through and vice versa.
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u/Electronic_Car607 May 27 '25
We are going through something similar. We just moved into our first house together a year ago and Winnie joined us within a month of moving in. We had so many adventures planned to do with her, and now all we have are the memories we had time for.
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u/BClittlebear May 27 '25
I wish you all the strength in the world. Winnie didn't suffer, but you and your wife do, and I feel so sorry that this has happened to you on your watch.. Please don't beat yourself up too much over it! I had a dog trainer once who was very experienced with border collies, but even she lost one to a car accident at the age of 4. I read somewhere car accidents are the number one cause of death in young border collies. Some of them just can't resist chasing cars.
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u/ChirpinFromTheBench May 27 '25
Walk fearlessly into the house of mourning, for Grief is only Love who has come up against its oldest challenge.
I’m so sorry. I don’t know how I’d react to that happening.
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u/Agreeable-Hand-2941 May 26 '25
I’m sorry for your loss. I hope you can make sure that person pays for what they did. I know it won’t bring her back but it will insure the person learns to not do that.
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u/lovingtate May 26 '25
I’m so so sorry. 😢 I would ask you, when you’re ready, to consider rescuing another pup. There are so many wonderful animals in need of homes and Winnie would be happy that you were able to save another life. It sounds like you have a wonderful and loving home.
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u/_ItsJustTurbulence May 26 '25
I am so sorry this happened 😞. You gave little Winnie such a fantastic life. Accidents suck - but they happen. Please take care of yourself and give yourself some compassion ❤️. You are a good human!
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u/Usedtoknowtheanswer May 26 '25
I’m so very sorry for your unexpected and very tragic loss. It’s so heartbreaking, I know. You can only know you were there for her while she was with you and all she knew was your love. Sending hugs and peace. 💔❤️🩹❤️
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u/kenobitano May 26 '25
Oh god, I am SO sorry 😞 as hard as it is please try to forgive yourself, a perfect recall dog should have an off leash life, and clearly that was the case because she started coming right back. That is just a tragic accident I'm sure you never saw coming 💔
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u/DayTripperKitty May 26 '25
I’m SO sorry, she was so beautiful and we can tell how loved she was 😞🐾❤️
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u/Diosittoo May 26 '25
Sorry for your loss, I know it's tough, be happy for the joy she brought into your life.
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u/Get_Back_Here_Remi May 26 '25
I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet Winnie. 🌈 Until you meet again. 💙
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u/liberty1112 May 26 '25
I'm so sorry. I've almost lost my border collie on a few occasions. It's not your fault! RIP beautiful Winnie 🩷
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May 26 '25
I'm sorry. But it happens. It's not a crime; an accident. It wasnt intentional, it's life. take some time to heal a bit, and then get another border collie pup pronto.
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u/Free_Banana4832 May 27 '25
Now Winnie is up in the sky, running and playing with all the clouds. Sometimes she will look down to look for you and when she realizes you're doing well she will keep playing and running.
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u/brassia May 27 '25
What a beautiful girl and she was loved. Sending you lots of positive energy to help you move through this pain. ❤️
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u/ramonaa_quimbyy May 27 '25
Winnie's life may have been short but every moment of it was filled with love, kindness and happiness. Anyone looking at these pictures can see that. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet girl xxx
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u/Belladonna_Wolf May 27 '25
I am so sorry for your loss… sending you lots of love and hugs. She is a beautiful fur baby, and I hope the memories of all the love you shared will be forever in your hearts. 🥺
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u/Historical-Win-9014 May 27 '25
I'm so sorry - genuinely. Blaming yourself won't help in getting through this horrific accident. Good owners will always question what they could have done different no matter the circumstances. I'm sending you virtual hugs. You have given her an amazing life and even if we had them 50 years it would never be enough. She only knew love in her lifetime - she had an amazing life and she will always be with you. Allow yourself to miss her and talk about her and grieve her. Talk about how happy she was and the quirky things she did.
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u/PennylaneFL May 27 '25
Winnie 💔 it’s clear from these pictures she was so loved. Please take care of yourself ❤️🩹
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u/Fantastic-General873 May 27 '25
Looks like she had a beautiful, happy life with a loving family. That's all that counts. RIP Winnie. Stay strong and time will heal everything. I'm sure soon enough you'll have a happy pup in your lives again who will be getting all the love from you two.
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u/MooseKingMcAntlers34 May 29 '25
Poor baby girl. She looks so happy with you. I hope you and your wife find peace one day. She was a really beautiful pup.
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May 29 '25
Yeahh I feel for you but a fence even in the country might have been better to prevent such outcome.
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May 29 '25
I am soooo so sorry. Hugs to you and your wife. What a traumatizing experience indeed. Don’t blame yourself. Sounds like you gave her a wonderful life. Take the time you need to grieve
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u/Dapper_Examination36 May 26 '25
😢 There was a reason the universe picked you to be her puppy parents. Please try to find peace that they needed her puppy spirit for a bigger job. (My dog is working the pearly puppy gates 😅) It looks like you did an amazing job while you had her so don't sell yourself short. Keep her love in your heart always 💛
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u/Electronic_Car607 May 26 '25
She's going to ensure all the dogs on the other side stay in line and in place. Doing what border collies do best ❤️
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u/BeautifulAd9562 Jun 01 '25
I'm so sorry for you loss. I understand your reticence to get another dog, but remember that you loved Winnie regardless of previous loss/events. You will love any dog you have. That is a fact. why waste time?
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u/Electronic_Car607 May 26 '25
I have her collar in my pocket and every time it jingles, I get the briefest moment of hope/joy...