Good Samaritans came to her aid

I've lived in Thousand Oaks almost 36 years, and I can remember when the neighborhood was a safe place to walk your small pets along with the kids, as most of you senior citizens will agree.

However, last week has left me baffled and in tears, as one of the most horrible incidents occurred right before my very eyes.

It was a bright sunny morning, and I thought it would be a perfect time to walk my small Shih Tzu, Sonny, who, by the way, was loved by the whole neighborhood.

I didn't get any further than my carport when my neighbor's Akita/shepherd came charging out of nowhere, without warning. It charged at my small dog, and although I tried beating it off with a nearby planter, it wouldn't disengage its prey. My heart was in my mouth, and I was screaming at the top of my lungs for help!

All of a sudden a man passing by must have heard me and jumped out of his truck and in a blink of an eye, kicked the predator, running her off.

I then grabbed my dog and was about to get him into my car and drive to the animal hospital.

It was then that the total stranger grabbed my arm, saying to me, "Lady, you are in no condition to drive, as you may get in an accident." Thank goodness he arrived when he did to stop me from driving, as by that time I was hyperventilating and in shock.

It was then that my neighbor, who, by the way, is pregnant and lives across the street, darted out of her yard. She then grabbed my dog and proceeded to go back to her car when I said, "Please give me Sonny and you drive my car."

The stranger got out his cellphone as I requested and proceeded to call in the emergency to the Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Halfway up the boulevard while en route, Sonny died in my arms, and part of me collapsed inside along with him.

No matter how safe we think our neighborhood is to walk our small dogs or children, it's not safe enough.

In conclusion, I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart the passing stranger, Michael Tardif, and my neighbor, Martha "Marty" Johnson, for taking time to come to my aid, and answering my cries for help.
Fran Smith
Thousand Oaks