Abbott St. road rats

Photo: Contributed

On Friday April 21st, at approximately 12pm, my precious 5 year old Jasper was taken from us on Abbott Street right in front of our home at Abbott and Vimy. We moved from the mission 2 years ago as “empty nesters” and I so looked forward to the lifestyle of being able to walk to and from the parks and the downtown area with my best friend Jasper. Had I know that this corridor would be a major drive through street for commuters (aka “road rats”) to cut through the neighbourhood I may have thought twice before risking my little one’s precious life.

We had thought we had done on the right things to secure his space. We have a fence, we boarded up any nooks and crannies that this little Yorkie could escape from as his favourite thing to do was play ball in the yard with us. We could spend hours going back and forth and had done this routine a thousand times before. I garden, he brings me the ball, and I throw it, repeat, repeat and repeat. 

This day was no different, but one thing, he didn’t bring me the ball back. I called his name and didn’t hear the jingle of his collar coming running back to me. I then noticed a women peering over my fence who asked if I was looking for a dog. I said yes, she said “he just got hit by a car.” 

I took 2 steps forward and saw his lifeless little body on the corner of Abbott and Vimy and dropped to my knees in utter despair. I don’t know how he got out, but we found his ball on the other side of the road, which was all he wanted, to get his ball. It was in the blink of an eye and my whole world has been turned upside down. He was my best friend, my love, my happiness and joy. He got me outside walking the entire neighbourhood meeting new people and making new friendships. Everyone knew Jasper.

I understand that it is the quickest way to avoid Pandosy St. to cut to the back of the hospital, but we need to remember this is a “neighbourhood” with more and more kids arriving, pets and pedestrians walking all day up and down this street every day. Just the other day kids were holding a lemonade stand on the very same corner and to think that they could of as easily been a victim of this kind of tragic accident is one to awful to bare. 

This is a “neighbourhood” and a “community”, to all that came to my aid, our post lady, our neighbours and pedestrians, I thank you with the bottom of our hearts. I would not of been able to pick him up of the road and see him that way, that is not how I want to remember my Jasper. 

I beg you to please slow down, use caution and drive responsibly along the “Abbott Street corridor”. Just a reminder, the speed limit is 40km and needs to be enforced! I see cars speeding up it all day.

Please slow down!

Barb Kovacs