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Dog Suicide
Going to work today, on cruise control at 55 mph, a medium sized mutt (maybe 40 pounds) ran flat out of the grasses onto highway. And, BOOOM, I nailed the beast HARD under my passenger side wheels. My first reaction, after a yelp and the collision, was to look in the rear view; and there was mans best friend, V shaped, spinning like a boomerang across the road. What I thought was my tire tread was flying in the air as I drove undulating having been shunted onto the shoulder. At that time, I thought my whole front axle and front wheel were destroyed. But, after some steering correction and teeth gritting I came to a stop; and alas very little damage. I lost the right front wheel well cover and the right front plastic air damn. Also, there was dent on the front bumper, that I popped out and that is now a small 2" dent, and a 3" crack to that same bumper filled with dog bristle. So far as I can tell there is no mechanical damage, no vibration, noises, or pulling. Although, after that impact I suspect something may wear or fail prematurely. Now, I know it's true, Toyota's are tough; go Yaris!
Sorry, no pics because there's not much to look at. Would have been a cool video. Any advice about replacement parts or avoiding road kills would be appreciated.
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