Someone else's remorse

[pasithea]

Biking to work I passed a dead opossum on the side of the road. Nothing unusual about that. Careless car drivers hit animals all the time.

What was unusual is that someone had felt remorse over striking this animal. A red shop rag covered the creature's face. The driver hadn't simply sped off and left the animal suffering as they usually do. They'd stopped, got out, hoped the creature might be alright, probably considered taking it to a vet, then realized it was too late. They felt bad about what had happened and gave the creature a little shroud. This creature didn't suffer, but I bet the one that covered it still is. :/

Comments

[heavenscalyx.livejournal.com]

Someone found something similar here (http://cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com/600565.html) (Warning! Photo! But covered). This sort of thing restores my faith in humanity.

[yetanotherbob.livejournal.com]

I once did something similar (Giving last rites to a dead animal, not running it over). Southbound San Tomas in San Jose, there squirrel was fatally injured and tossing about in the far right lane. I stopped the truck, put on flashers (The nice thing about a big truck. People pay attention when I block traffic- mostly), and once the squirrel stopped moving, I used a bag to put it on the side of the road, and give it a bit of a dirt covering.

It was all I really could do, but it actually felt good that I did it.