A woman has issued a stark warning about the safety of dogs in cars, while telling Newsweek the devastating consequences of losing her own beloved pet in a freak accident nearly two decades ago.
Kristin Minassian took to social media to open up about the tragic incident in the hope of raising awareness about the dangers of leaving car windows down while driving with pets.
Her retelling, posted to Instagram on July 21 under the handle @kristinminassian, recounts the day she lost her beloved Australian Shepherd, Aussie, while on the road.
Viewers were moved and have called Minassian’s story a powerful reminder of the unforeseen hazards that can arise while driving with animals and the importance of ensuring pet safety during car journeys.
“Over 15 years ago, my husband and I were pulling out of a drive-thru where the person working the window wanted to give our dog a treat,” Minassian told Newsweek. “We rolled the back window down for her to give Aussie a treat.
“She would sometimes hang her head out the window, but this day we made a huge mistake.”
Kristin Minassian records her reaction after seeing a dog hanging out of the window of a passing car. Minassian spoke with Newsweek about why she decided to share her story on social media.
@kristinminassian
The mistake of not securing Aussie with a dog seat belt and keeping the window down too long had devastating consequences. While Minassian was holding Aussie’s leash from the front seat, the excitement of sorting through their food caused them to overlook the potential danger. As they drove away, Aussie suddenly decided to jump out of the window.
Minassian couldn’t hold onto the leash, and the dog fell out onto the street. Despite their frantic efforts to rush Aussie to a veterinarian, she tragically passed away while heading to the animal hospital.
“It was over 15 years ago, and I am still heartbroken over it and feel so much guilt,” Minassian said. “She was such a fun-loving little girl who loved to play ball and swim in the lake and fetch sticks.”
The poignant memory resurfaced for Minassian recently when she saw a dog hanging out of a car window, seemingly unattached to the seat. The sight triggered immediate anxiety and a flood of memories from that tragic day.
“I experienced it and it was one of the most tragic events of our lives,” Minassian said.
Determined to prevent such tragedies from happening to other pet owners, she recorded her reaction and shared the story online. Minassian’s video quickly garnered widespread attention, resonating deeply with viewers who empathized with her loss and recognized the importance of her message.
“I had no idea it would reach so many people across the world,” she said.
Although the response included some hurtful comments, the overwhelmingly positive reception—which included other pet owners sharing similar experiences—and the potential lives saved by raising awareness provided Minassian with a sense of solace.
“I feel like I was meant to see this, my dog is always hanging all the way out,” one viewer had commented. “Thank you for sharing.”
Another added: “I’m so sorry. Our dog (my best friend) died last year just after his sixth birthday … He jumped from the 3rd row onto the trunk area and broke his neck. My heart will never heal.”
“Knowing that through our tragedy, now sharing this story has brought awareness and may have saved other dogs’ lives, makes me feel better,” Minassian said.
Despite the passage of time, the pain and guilt Minassian feels remain palpable, and she now wants to spare others from the heartache she has endured.
Ensuring dogs are securely fastened with a seat belt or harness and keeping windows up or only slightly lowered are essential measures to prevent similar incidents.
Do you have videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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