SCARY TUMBLE: Collie wiggles out window on Rte. 132… unbeknownst...

HYANNIS – It’s every dog lover’s worst nightmare when a young pup suddenly goes missing.

Earlier today, at around 1:00 p.m., Barnstable Police dispatched a patrolman to Route 132 in the area of Eastern Mountain Sports after a motorist pulled over, having just witnessed a dog jump out a car window while traveling in traffic. The dog reportedly rolled several times and appeared to be badly scraped up. The driver kept on driving in the direction of Hyannis, and one witness who later spoke with HN wondered if the dog had been purposefully thrown out and abandoned. (One never knows in today’s world.)

“I sincerely hope not,” I thought when walking back to my car.

Barnstable Animal Control Officer Charlie Lewis had arrived on scene and recovered the injured dog. Lewis, police and witnesses were all in the process of driving away right as HN pulled over to see how the dog was doing.

Everyone had left, when a Hyannis News reader recognized me and pulled over, asking if I had seen his collie. He had been retracing his “steps” along Rte. 132, the last place where he saw his dog in the backseat.

The look of horror on the man’s face said it all, he had been driving along, turned and suddenly noticed his dog had disappeared. I informed him that his dog had jumped from his vehicle, but was still alive and had just been picked up by animal control. He then followed me to Barnstable Animal Control headquarters where he hurried to be reunited with his best friend, fret with a combination of anxiety and slowly growing relief.

The entire back seat of the man’s car was dedicated space for his young, beloved collie who liked to dash back and forth between rear windows while out for a drive. Being very warm today, he had cracked the windows a little bit further than normal, not thinking his dog would wiggle out. (She had never tried anything like that before…) Which is why he was very confused when he looked back and suddenly noticed his dog was gone!

The reunion was a very happy one for all. The collie miraculously did not appear as badly injured as one would imagine. She had scraped up, bloody paws and abrasions on her belly, but otherwise appeared okay (let’s hope and pray). She was wagging her tail and walking on all fours, with barely a slight limp.

HN mentioned to the man that I need to use a harness and secure tether, as my pup is also a very active. The dog owner said he would be picking one up right after their visit to the vet.

HN NOTE: There was no evidence of intentional neglect during this freak accident, where a young puppy suddenly decided to try out new “escape artist” moves…

… the dog learned the hard way… the owner was nearly frightened to death… and based on all HN observations, it very likely will never ever happen again. I think everyone caught a huge break today, thank God… and thank you to all the motorists who pulled over to help the injured dog during her time of need! I know a fellow dog lover who, when frustrated, always says things like “people suck,” when comparing humans to her beloved dog. But that’s not a completely accurate statement, in HN’s opinion.

Sure, people may suck… but I believe people who truly love dogs suck a lot less!

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by Jefferson Starship… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT!]