i was walking by dolores park in san francisco, which is typically full of people and dogs on a really beautiful day like today. i have seen other near misses of dogs around dolores park.
but the dog that got hit wasn't in the park - i think it had jumped out of the window of a passing car and then been hit by another car. all i saw was a woman screaming hysterically, running to the intersection, picking up the dog and taking it back to her idling car and tearing off.
it was really upsetting and i was very shaken. i went toward her with my phone (i have an emergency vet number in my phone) in case i could help - before i knew she had a car.
i had been on my way to eat lunch in the park, which i still did, thinking about cars. i don't really know how to drive and i don't have a license. it is a pain in the ass a lot of the time, but times like this i remember that cars are basically bringers of death and pain, both in the small picture, like today and everytime some life is snuffed out by something that should just be a friendly transport option, and in the big picture, as in pollution, urban sprawl, and oil wars.
i spent some time wondering if i feel strongly and passionately enough about this to continue to refuse to drive. the lack of driving has been partially ideals and partially just inertia. then i think, even if i biked everywhere, i would be just as likely to be killed by a car. even if i walk (as i do, all the time, every day), i almost get hit in an intersection about once a month.
it's a fucked up thing we've chosen for our society.
anyway, i hope the dog is going to be okay. i've no way of knowing. maybe i can post on craigslist.
