I swear this is a true story. One I love to tell whenever the chance comes up. Just retired with 32 years as a full time package driver. I got tons of stories.
Anyway this is around my 15th year or so. Ran my route for 27 years. Delivering in a oldp600. Little 3 street housing section. There every day. This little mutt terrier mix. Always loose. Always yapping. Chased me every day. I was always being careful not to hit it. I don't remember why, guess I was just having a bad day you know, but on this particular day instead of slowing down I said "Bleep you" and hit the gas instead of slowing down. Thump, thump. Oops. Look in the mirror. Little dog laying on its side. Tail still wagging. I stop. Get out. Walk up to the dog. Freakin thing is laying there in its last moments still yapping at me.
Now just at this moment I look up and see the local cop come into the division on his daily rounds. This was a small township, little 6 man force. Piece of advice to you younger folks. I always made it a point to know my cops. Knew them all on a first name basis. Especially this chief. He had a little side business refinishing furniture. Used to stop me whenever he had a package coming in to see if I had it.
Anyway the chief is the one on duty that day. He stops, walks over, says hello. Just about that moment our little friend kicks the bucket. Same time a neighbor comes walking out to see what's up. Remember, this is a small community. Neighbor looks at the chief and says "Well I guess this solves the problem." Chief says "Yep." I say "What problem?' Neighbor says "Everybody hates this dog." Chief says, "I get complaints all the time about this dog. Don't know how many times I been there telling them to tie the dog up or do something. Pain in my neck." I say "Well chief, what do you want me to do?" Chief says, "I don't know, drag it over to their front door and leave a note or something. I'll back you up." So I drag the dog over to the front door, newer home, no front porch and put a DELIVERY NOTICE ON IT'S COLLAR. Leave the center manager name and our center phone number.
Get back to the building. About 6:30. center manager is still there. I say "Get any phone calls." He looks up says "What happened?" There's 5 or 6 other drivers standing there. I tell the story, everybody cracks up. center manager, who was a good guy, says thanks for the heads up, we'll deal with it when he calls. Well we never heard a word. Customer never called. Saw the chief a couple days later, says he never heard anything either. Haven't told that story for years but just sitting here puts a smile on my face. Hey those 32 years weren't all bad. There were some funny times. Gotta tell ya the truth, never felt guilty about that one. And to all you dog lovers out there, I love dogs, got 3 myself. But mine are part of the family and well behaved. Stay safe.