Asphyxiation risk
Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2019 2:25 pm
Hi all,
I don't recall if I had written about it, but a few months back it became time for Endeavor to meet and get along with my girlfriend's pit-mix, Ramsay. Everything worked out and they became very playful together. Maybe I'll try to post a few pics or short video later on this evening.
Unfortunately, the reason I'm writing this is that Ramsay died this past Wednesday. Ramsay was an excellent house dog. Well disciplined, sat in his assigned spot on the couch, never got in to anything dangerous or unacceptable in any way. But Ramsay, alone in his house, found a bag of chips after we had left for dinner. To be blunt, he got his head down to the bottom of the bag and ended up getting it sucked tight to his head. He was cold when we found him. I tired CPR anyway, but I knew it was long past the point of being effective.
Folks... Crate your dogs when you're away. If you have your dogs for home protection, train them to the point of safety and make the environment safe for them when you leave. This dog had just turned 3. He was full of life and was a very good and goofy pup. He would pace around the porch at night, barking at the flashing lights of passing jets.
So, my girlfriend launched into research and then into education. Apparently this SPECIFIC accident happens thousands of times annually. I think the majority of us here know that we should be house-proofing as if our dogs are the mental equivalent of a toddler, because they ARE. However, I think the majority of pet owners don't recognize that, and in this type of circumstance, it's fatal.
Please spread the word. A family is grieving a terrible loss. The only thing that can make any sense from it would be for Ramsay's death to save the life of another.
I don't recall if I had written about it, but a few months back it became time for Endeavor to meet and get along with my girlfriend's pit-mix, Ramsay. Everything worked out and they became very playful together. Maybe I'll try to post a few pics or short video later on this evening.
Unfortunately, the reason I'm writing this is that Ramsay died this past Wednesday. Ramsay was an excellent house dog. Well disciplined, sat in his assigned spot on the couch, never got in to anything dangerous or unacceptable in any way. But Ramsay, alone in his house, found a bag of chips after we had left for dinner. To be blunt, he got his head down to the bottom of the bag and ended up getting it sucked tight to his head. He was cold when we found him. I tired CPR anyway, but I knew it was long past the point of being effective.
Folks... Crate your dogs when you're away. If you have your dogs for home protection, train them to the point of safety and make the environment safe for them when you leave. This dog had just turned 3. He was full of life and was a very good and goofy pup. He would pace around the porch at night, barking at the flashing lights of passing jets.
So, my girlfriend launched into research and then into education. Apparently this SPECIFIC accident happens thousands of times annually. I think the majority of us here know that we should be house-proofing as if our dogs are the mental equivalent of a toddler, because they ARE. However, I think the majority of pet owners don't recognize that, and in this type of circumstance, it's fatal.
Please spread the word. A family is grieving a terrible loss. The only thing that can make any sense from it would be for Ramsay's death to save the life of another.
