A VERY CLOSE CALL!

I drove home tonight, lost in my own little world listening to music as my terriers snoozed in their kennel in the back of my van and Blue sat quietly watching the scenery. I drove along my usual route, down the road through the East Village, down River Drive, over the bridge and mindless through my town. I turned up the street, up the hill past the Funeral Home, the Senior Continuing Care Center and past several homes. Then past the College dormitories and approached the Hilltop Area. First I go past the bar, the Hair place and the Antique Shop when suddenly I saw a girl running. She looked to be about 12 or 13 years old and just about ten feet ahead of her was a little dog... running away.

from:

http://www.out-and-about-with-your-dog.com/long-hair-chihuahua-diego.html

I saw her stop for a moment as the dog stopped to look back at her and then they were both running again.

Past the Barber Shop, the Collectibles Store and all the while I am driving parallel to them. My mind racing. What should I do! Suddenly the little one puts a foot off of the curb as if to run across the street. I slam on the brakes. Oh MY GOD! If I hit this dog I won't be able to stand it and to do it in front of this girl! I can think of nothing worse and then I realize the dog has reached the Vintage Store and in about 10 more feet he will be to the intersection where the traffic is busy with people coming home from work. He'll never make it across!

He's so tiny

 I reach the stop light, it's red.

I'm FRANTIC. I am NOT good in emergencies. Should I shift the van into PARK and jump out and see if I can stop him from running into the traffic?! Should I pull the van into the right lane so that no one pulls up next to me and squishes the little guy! Should I.............
Suddenly There's a ROAR! A Deep LOUD BARK!
Blue has seen the dog through the window.
The little one freezes on the spot and looks up at the sky.

I lean forward to watch.
He turns and runs quickly to the girl and she scoops him up. I can't tell if she's laughing or crying.
She turns with him wrapped in her arms and runs back from the direction that she came.
I look at Blue.

He looks at me.
The light turns green.