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1. FioriC
   Member Profile

   Tragedy struck my family yesterday when our family dog escaped from our fenced yard close to the Alaska Junction, ran into the street and was immediately struck by a car traveling way too fast for the area. The car didn't even stop. I'm not sure they even saw or felt what had happened. All I can say is that it was an absolutely devestating experience for me and for our family that was visiting here from Des Moines, IA. We had had a perfectly lovely visit and our parents were packing the car, getting ready to head back home when Monte darted out the gate and was struck by a car coming up Edmunds by the True Value at about 40 miles per hour. Monte was a Wire Fox Terrier that was more like a child to my Mother & Father-in-law than a dog. He was very special to all of us and will be greatly missed by the entire family.
   I know the traffic police are doing thier best right now to make people aware of certain areas (like 35th) that we need to slow down on but there are other areas of great concern like this corner of 44th & Edmunds.
   This has always been a bad intersection but lately, things have gotten completely out of hand. On the weekends, there is a constant stream of cars that don't seem to be able to read the "DEAD END" sign on Rutan and come flying down that street only to find it end, then they back up at unsafe speed to get out. My fence has been knocked over, my cars have been scratched by those that turn around in our driveway. All things just completely inconsiderate of the fact that families are living here.
   When we find ourselves complaining about the growth here in West Seattle, we should be thinking about what our contribution to that is. If we are driving fast, on our phone or just generally not aware, WE make that growth unpleasant. West Seattle is a wonderful place to raise a family. Let's keep it that way and be considerate of our neighbors and SLOW DOWN A BIT FOR THE LOVE OF OUR FAMILIES!
   ~ IN MEMORY OF MONTE GRUVER ~
   Loving Fox Terrier & Loyal Companion
   Your life was taken too soon but our love
   for you will last forever....

   Posted 3 years ago #         

2. mellaw6565
   Member Profile

   

   I'm so sorry for your loss - how tragic!

   Have you talked to SPD about the constant traffic problem? Maybe they can put a couple of speed patrols there for a time to slow people down.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

3. WSB
   Member Profile

   

   I'd like to feature this on the home page too. Is there a photo you can send of Monte that I can include with it? If so:
   editor@westseattleblog.com

   thanks
   TR

   Posted 3 years ago #         

4. Zenguy
   Member Profile

   

   Sorry for your loss. I find it hard to believe that someone could hit anything and not realize it.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

5. JimmyG
   Member Profile

   

   Even though it was 17 years ago I still remember clear as day coming home to find my lovely little 16 week old Golden Retriever puppy left dead in the roadway after he dug under the 1st fence then scaled a short concrete wall out to the street where he was hit.

   My condolences to Monte's family

   Posted 3 years ago #         

6. GenHillOne
   Member Profile

   I'm so sorry Fiori. I'm very familiar with that intersection...a delivery truck backed out of Rutan as I was coming up the hill - at less than the speed limit because of the hill - and opened my car up like a can opener. Totalled my car and scared me and my 5yo to death. It is a terrible spot and it is travelled too quickly by most. I feel terrible about your dog.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

7. Dunno
   Member Profile

   Fiori,
   Makes me want to cry after reading this.
   Our dog is like a family memeber, so I can imagine how you feel.
   I did see a radar cop with a car pulled over on 35th this morning. I agree, we need more traffic policing in West Seattle now!!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

8. Irukandji
   Member Profile

   

   I am so sorry that Monte died like this - a tragedy for all of you.

   Just yesterday I was wondering who the numbnuts was that took out a section of our neighbor's planter on Admiral (another speeders' free-for-all). At least bricks don't feel the pain, just the homeowner's pocket book.

   Damn.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

9. guidosmom
   Member Profile

   

   Oh no! I am SO sorry!!! Monte wasn't the terrier who was black and white, about 9 years old, and had also had knee surgeries, like my terrier, Guido, who he had played with before? Regardless I am SO sorry! People do really need to SLOW DOWN! I am SO sorry!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

10. FioriC
    Member Profile

    Thanks to everyone who has responded with love & concern. To Guidosmom: No, you may be thinking of one of our other Fox Terriers as we currently have 2 others but I have worked with rescue for several years...
    Times like these really give us the opportunity to see the best in people too. Everyone was so caring yesterday at the West Seattle Vet office on California and all those that understand how important our family dogs are to us. I just keep thinking that if someone else could be saved by our awareness of this problem, then sweet Monte's life would not have been lost in vain.
    Blessings to all...
    Fiori

    Posted 3 years ago #         

11. transplantella
    Member Profile

    

    It's all true. I have no idea why drivers think it's ok to go 40-50 MPH through residential neighborhoods. That there will never be an unexpected animal/child/bicycle suddenly in their path.

    See my rave about the 24 hour Emergency Animal clinic in Burien who saved my cat after some thoughtless driver smashed him. So far it has cost nearly $4,000 to treat the cat and has put us in debt.....

    And the poor possum who was run over last week. Someone kindly removed him from the roadway and placed him by the sidewalk before he became completely flattened by even more speeding cars. Passersby placed flowers on him for a couple of days till he disappeared.

    I live on Lincoln Park Way where traffic can regularly be seen traveling upwards of 50MPH. On a sunny weekend, this residential street is a freeway of Harleys, low riders, speeding pickups, batmobiles, sports cars; honking, passing bicyclists, pedestrians, joggers, pet walkers. Lincoln Park Way is an 'S' curve with no distance visibility and no posted speed limit.

    I have spoken with the Seattle PD, DOT, and some kind of traffic watch department. Nobody cares.

    But I suppose I'll be quickly arrested when I start lobbing rocks off my balcony at thundering motorists?

    Posted 3 years ago #         

12. 2etn
    Member Profile

    To my sister and family..I must say that I am very impressed with the outpouring of replies that you have received from your neighbors..what a caring place you live in..Thank you to all that have posted and given their sympathies to my family over the loss of Monte.I live on a busy residential street in Sacramento CA and it always seems to be the "commuters" that speed, barely noticing school kids or animals crossing the street. I was so sorry to hear of Monte's passing and feel at bit of relief that you have people like those that have posted who may help to bring about change so that others don't have to go what you went through yesterday. Here's to Monte, Louis and Jack (and cigars!)xx, 2ETN

    Posted 3 years ago #         

13. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    Fiori - I am so sorry that you had to go through that. I can't imagine... :( If you need more inspiration to spur you on to report this stretch of road, my friend was hit by a car there a few years ago (ironically, chasing his dog.) Luckily he recovered, but he was very badly injured. I just can't believe that no one stopped - hopefully this person will realize what they did and come forward.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

14. GenHillOne
    Member Profile

    Edmunds also has an off-center intersection at 45th. Every day, I drive south on 45th. When you come to a stop at Edmunds, you are actually sticking out into the street if you make your stop at the stopsign. You are likely to get hit by a car coming down the hill if you don't stop farther back. Take a look sometime...it's a quirky set-up.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

15. housestack
    Member Profile

    10-26-08: my rottweiler was killed by speeding car on 100th st sw yesterday morning as she escaped from back gate. i am in a lot of pain right now and i am pissed that someone hit and took off. there were no witnesses as a lady who lives on my street confronted me with her tears - i thanked her for coming to me that my dog died. however, i could dare myself throwing rocks whoever speed on 100th st sw in arbor heights. we have kids walking from school to go home and drivers do not care. i would like to know if anyone could help me to fight for police officer to monitor this street. why are the drivers speeding on the 100th st like 40 to 60 mph? also, i am deaf and i have to look out for cars behind me. i need your help to support me to use signs to slow down. what is your advice?

    Posted 3 years ago #         

16. WSMom
    Member Profile

    

    Housestack: I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. We all need to be constantly vigilant to slow down when driving in our city. The five minutes we save by speeding is meaningless when an accident happens. 100th St. SW is pretty wide street without a lot of stop signs, I can imagine that people will thoughtlessly drive too fast. Signs to remind drivers to slow down can be helpful. I also wonder if a small memorial to your dog might be considered, like the white bicycles placed where bike fatalities have occurred. The white bikes definitely get my attention.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

17. charlabob
    Member Profile

    

    I am SO sorry -- to say I feel your pain is trite, but very true.

    Rottweilers are fairly substantial dogs, yes? If I were you, I'd probably walk around the neighborhood looking for a car with a fresh dent and, at least, let them know you know, or suspect. I've had it with people driving too fast, speeding away from accidents, and (especially) honking at me when I obey the speed limit. In my neighborhood (the infamous Admiral/47th intersection) the worst offenders are not passing through -- they're often locals who should know better.

    Sadly, people do the right thing, only and especially, when they're afraid they'll get caught if they do the wrong thing.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

18. keleeso
    Member Profile

    Housestack, I am sorry for your loss. I don't have much to offer as far as getting police involved, but I did see a sign propped in front of a house - it was about 3 feet by 3 feet and it had the speed limit posted on it. It sure made me check my speed.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

19. mellaw6565
    Member Profile

    

    Housestack - As a pet owner, I am truly sorry for your loss and am shocked that the driver did not stop. That's unacceptable behavior under any circumstances.

    However, there were no witnesses by your own admission, so how do you know the driver was speeding? Maybe it was just a tragic accident and the driver made a terrible choice by not stopping?

    I guess my point is that I'm tired of many people on here assuming that whenever someone or something is hit or there's an accident, it is automatically assumed that speed was the culprit instead of accepting it as purely an accident. In this case, the behavior afterwards is abominable, but that doesn't mean the person was speeding when it happened. As a former trial lawyer, I have litigated THOUSANDS of accident cases where speed was named as the culprit, only to find out after a proper investigation that there was another reason or cause for the event. It is very difficult to tell a vehicle's speed with the naked eye from a stationary position (hence the reason why detectors were invented).

    Also, if you are deaf, I believe that you can have a yellow road sign installed near your house identifying that a deaf person lives close to the road. Just an option for your safety.

    Again, sorry for your loss.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

20. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    i have an idea. how about leashing your dog?!? then those nasty speeders can't chase them down so easily!?! just a thot...

    Posted 3 years ago #         

21. hopey
    Member Profile

    

    @ivaronalki: Did you see the part where the person said their dog escaped through the back gate? Accidents like that can happen to any dog owner, no matter how well-fenced their yard is.

    @housestack: The first dog I fell in love with was a Rottie, the sweetest Rottie on the planet (imho). I'm sorry for your loss. I'd be devastated if anything happened to one of my dogs.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

22. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    Not to sound elitist but I think a pre-requisite for posting should be: being able to spell "thought"! And comprehension... and reading all past posts...

    Housestack - I'm so sorry. I'm sure that means a whole lot of nothing considering what you're going through but I really feel for you. Hope you're alright.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

23. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    @hopey: i saw it but that still doesn't make it the drivers fault now does it? and cait: i thot you weren't aloud 2 maik persunel attacks here? maybe i didunt compreehend that parht.sorry, mi misteak!

    Posted 3 years ago #         

24. Aim
    Member Profile

    

    ivaronalki: why would you come into a thread where someone has just had a significant loss, and blame them rather than being a kind neighbor? That makes me very sad for you.

    housestack: I am so very sorry for your loss. Those of us with disabilities have an extra-special bond with our pets, as they so often provide assistance to us whether or not they're a registered service animal. I am heartbroken for the loss of your friend.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

25. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    aim: i'm a bad,bad boy!

    Posted 3 years ago #         

26. marianne
    Member Profile

    ivaronalki: I read your post about the leash yesterday and thought it in poor taste then.

    aim: you expressed my sentiments exactly

    housestack: so sorry this happened.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

27. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    marianne:how is it "in poor taste" to point out that it wasn't the drivers fault?!? someone even went so far as to suggest they look at the neighbors cars to see if they could spot the culprit! come on...it wasn't the drivers fault or the dogs fault so who does that leave?

    Posted 3 years ago #         

28. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    Nothing personal about illiteracy. *shrugs*

    Posted 3 years ago #         

29. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    oh cait yer so darn cute! (tweaks nose)

    Posted 3 years ago #         

30. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    Careful... it's booger season. *snort*

    Posted 3 years ago #         

31. Aim
    Member Profile

    

    Cait: have I told you lately you're my hero?

    Posted 3 years ago #         

32. JenV
    Member Profile

    

    I'm hunting boogers...be vewwy vewwy quiet....

    Posted 3 years ago #         

33. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    LOL!

    Dog tragedy to boogers in a few short steps... I do what I can.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

34. JenV
    Member Profile

    

    in all seriousness - I am sorry for both of your losses. Growing up on Vashon we always let our dogs run loose - and I had more than one meet their end getting hit by a car. There are no words.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

35. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    ivaronalki...a question...how do you feel about the driver not stopping? That's the tragedy here. Yes, it was an accident...the dog got out, and accidently got hit by a car, speeding or not. But to not stop? That's beyond words. Maybe, just maybe, you can step back, and let your compassionate side take over, just this once :)

    Posted 3 years ago #         

36. charlabob
    Member Profile

    

    As always, Jan gets to the point. Accidents do happen -- not stopping is cowardly. That's why I suggested looking for cars with appropriate damage. Not stopping is the driver's fault. Period.

    Don't feed the trolls.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

37. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    ...Just don't feel bad if you hit one of these trolls in the street. It won't be your fault - they said so themselves!

    Posted 3 years ago #         

38. charlabob
    Member Profile

    

    Yeah, they should have been kept on their leashes.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

39. JenV
    Member Profile

    

    from a former claims adjuster's point of view: I handled a claim once where the owner let their dog loose, my insured hit it. We had to go after the owner of the dog for the damages to our insured's vehicle - because there is a leash law. Man, that was a terrible call to make. Yeah, I know your much love dog just died....and we need money to boot. :( One of the many reasons I am glad to be out of that industry.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

40. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    ...That's ROUGH. That's REALLY rough...

    Posted 3 years ago #         

41. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    janS: an answer...maybe the driver didn't know they hit a dog.maybe they thot it was a rodent of some sort.maybe they didn't want to tie up traffic. cait: you are barking up the wrong tree.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

42. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    Who... moi? You're tweakin' the wrong nose, pardner.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

43. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    let's not kibble over this...

    Posted 3 years ago #         

44. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    LOL! I'm giving your credit for that one.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

45. JenV
    Member Profile

    

    so cait and ivar...are you going to agree to let sleeping dogs lie?

    Posted 3 years ago #         

46. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    Alpo if you will...

    Posted 3 years ago #         

47. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    Can we fleas. I mean please.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

48. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    ivar...the dog was a rottweiler...not exactly a rodent. probably bigger than a small child. 100 SW is not a busy thoroughfare. Too much trouble to stop? I hit a raccoon a few years ago at 10pm on Charlestown SW, and I stopped to make sure it was OK (actually it had completely disappeared, so I'm sure it was just a glancing blow). But I knew that I had hit something. Your story>> not holding water...

    Posted 3 years ago #         

49. ivaronalki
    Member Profile

    a rott?!? then that was one mighty BIG hole wasn't it? un-fixable?? i think not!!

    Posted 3 years ago #         

50. WhatThe
    Member Profile

    JanS - That raccoon you speak of now lives in the tree outside of my house. Disfigured beyond belief and always asking for spare change...I tell the kids to just ignore their "Uncle Ivar"...

    Posted 3 years ago #         

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