Terri Cook

I just went through a horrifying experience and wanted to share so that others won't make the same mistakes. We were driving back from the TX Regional Monday morning. Two hours from the show site in southern OK we were driving over a "mountain" on a curve. Going down the hill the trailer started swaying. The trailer was now sliding over the entire northbound lanes. It eventually made the truck fall onto its left side. We continued to slide for some time ending up on an overpass bridge. Jessy, Kaos, Barret, and Bree were in their Ruff Rider Roadie seatbelt harnesses. The Jack Russell Terriers were hanging by their harnesses but not concerned since I do pick them up by their harnesses. I turned toward the back of the truck to check on Elgin. The topper had been torn off. Unfortunately since we were on the bridge many things fell off including Elgin's crate. It was close to a 20' drop. The door came off his vari-kennel and he got out but the drop was so severe he didn't survive. I will NEVER again crate a dog in the back of a truck even with a topper on it. The seatbelt harnesses really worked (I remember Symantha telling about them saving her dogs when she was involved in a rollover accident). PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOGS IN SEATBELT HARNESSES. We didn't actually roll but it was terrifying as it was. Losing a dog in such a way was devastating. I'm just glad he didn't suffer. DO NOT keep your dogs in the backs of pickups even with a topper on it. Give your dogs a hug for me. Thanks to everyone who sent emails both through the group and privately. Thanks to those who called. The agility community is incredible. I especially appreciate it because you guys understand how attached I am to my dogs. They mean almost as much to me as my children. They are my children.