Two weeks ago today, I lost a very dear friend.

I had taken my 2 yr old Dobermann 'West' out for a run at the local 'Horse Trotting Track' on Monday afternoon (as I have done many times before). I had let West out of the car and he was running ahead of me as I drove slowly around the 'outer' training track: We would do this together a few times each week. I have previously done this while riding one of my bikes but since my accident (see post), I have not been back on my bike(s) much and had been using the car instead.

On this occasion, a young man was driving around the track, in the opposite direction, and going way too fast. By the time he spotted West, it was too late. He could not stop on time and the vehicle struck West on his left side, breaking his leg and 'tossing' him to the side of the road.

My wife and I rushed West to the Vet but there wasn't much they could do. After taking X-rays and exploring a few options, the very difficult decision was made to have West put down on Tuesday afternoon. I brought him back with me from the Vet and buried him in our yard.

The 'driver' who had stopped at the scene, had been very 'sorry' and offered to pay for the dog to be fixed up but when i spoke to him later on the phone, I was told: "I'm on the dole and I'm broke right now".

No amount of money will ever bring West back. It seems that the old saying: "A dog is a man's best friend" only carries weight of it's your dog and not belonging to some stranger.

I am guessing that young man may never understand the pain we have felt in loosing our 'friend'. He seemed quite ready to brush the whole event aside only a few short hours after it happened. We have not heard from him since.

Is that a reflection of the kind of world we live in? If so, it's not a pretty picture