On Sunday, September 18, it will be one year since my hit-and-run as a pedestrian while walking my young, vibrant Great Dane, Annie, who was killed. At noon on Sunday we will be having an informal memorial gathering at the site where Annie was killed. This is on Latigo Canyon just past Ocean View Drive. All are welcome to join us. There will be a formal memorial service held at 4 p.m. in West Hollywood at the Nichiren Shoshu Myohoji Buddhist Temple, 1401 N. Crescent Heights Blvd.
It is still a great disappointment to me that within this year the hit-and-run driver was not found. Although there were at least 15 to 25 Pepperdine students walking down the small canyon street, Ocean View Drive, that Annie and I were walking on, not one came forward with any information. These students are hiding and aiding the criminal who sat behind the wheel of the car that headed right for me. This car hit me, flipping me up in the air, glasses and shoes flying off, landing with broken bones. While lying there, I watched this same car hit and kill my Great Dane. This car was traveling with other cars and not only did the car who hit me leave, but the SUV following this car, as well as two other cars, also drove by my body lying on the ground and my dying Annie. I have been too ill because of this accident to be able to continue fighting to find this person and find it extremely disappointing that there was not a more thorough internal investigation conducted by Pepperdine!
Maybe some student (or anyone!) will come forward with information. Anonymous letters can be sent to P.O. Box 2534 Malibu, CA 90265.
Dr. Graulich and his staff were there for us on that horrid night and took in Annie’s body, which we later cremated. While my hands were still broken, I painted three pictures of Annie as a tribute. The acrylic painting “Annie Running on Zumirez Beach” can be viewed at Malibu Coast Animal Hospital on PCH.
A Charmlee Wilderness Park docent, I enjoyed taking Annie on walks there.
Alessandra DeClario