A sad story with a positive note

Dear Editor:

I am writing a letter which reflects both a negative and positive experience from my point of view.

Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 3:15 p.m. or so, my little Pomeranian Zigi got out of my home in the West End and was struck and killed (allegedly by a RFTA bus) at the intersection of Eighth Street and Highway 82. Upon realizing he was missing from my home, I went immediately up Eighth Street where I was told by several pedestrians on Eighth as well as at the nearby bus stop that he was just seen heading towards (and onto) Highway 82.

I am truly uncertain why none of those individuals attempted to stop him and pick him up before he reached the heavy traffic of that street. He was very friendly and would approach anyone. Generally in the 20-plus years I have spent in Aspen, people do make that extra effort towards helping out pets and their owners when an animal gets loose. That ends the negative part of my story.

Upon reaching the highway and realizing he was lying in the bus lane on the opposite side of the road, I was immediately assisted by numerous people who came out of their cars and/or homes, (some of whom I know, many of whom I don’t), offering their assistance, rides to the vet or home, even a blanket for my dog, and got me out of the road in my state of distress.

I would like to thank all of those individuals as well as those who have been so supportive in the past couple of days, knowing what an integral part of my “family” 2-year-old Zigi was. It has meant a lot to me, although on many levels I know the accident could have been avoided.

Melinda Goldrich

Aspen