Heartbreaking but important to share...

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Karen (Jackdoodle) contacted me privately and asked me to share our story.....she felt it was valuable to share with some of our new puppy owners here on DK.  I have been a member since early 2008 and after much consideration felt obligated to share our heartbreak despite knowing how difficult it would be.

In May of last year, Gaston-Cramer suddenly became disinterested in food.  Within 12 hours of careful observation we knew something was terribly wrong and took him to our vet.. After hundreds of dollars of diagnostic testing (showing nothing) and x-rays “showing something possibly made of fiber” emergency surgery was performed and the knot of a braided fleece DOG TOY was lodged and removed from the base of his esophagus. Despite the remarkable care he received from our vet, he was left with permanent damage to his esophagus that required him to be hand fed specially prepared food. Needless to say we did this willingly and our lifestyles changed dramatically. We adjusted all that we did to care for him. Ever grateful he was still with us; we were more than willing to tend to his needs. He would have good days and bad. Without getting into the heart wrenching  specifics, a few weeks ago, Gaston made a turn for the worse and the decision was made to let him go in peace instead of fear. Surrounded by all of us that loved him, and in the arms of our 15 year old son, we said a tearful goodbye to our beloved “GC”.

Despite all our precautions we have in our home....locked pantries, bolted doors, child locked cabinets and laundry bags hanging from above to name a few....ACCIDENTS HAPPEN! Unless you have your eyes on your dogs 24/7 there WILL be times that you will BLINK and the unthinkable occurs. To think that it won't is unrealistic and judgmental. As a practical suggestion (especially for those with small children) put walk through gates on your children's bedroom doors. This allows the children's room doors to still remain open and creates a buffer between your puppy/dog and children's toys.....stuffed animals and clothing. We have gates up and our children are young adults. It's much more practical than having children clean their room each time they leave it and impossible for a doodle to open....yes, our sweet Rosie can open ANY door knob. A walk through gate she can’t.   ;)

Please don't let Gaston's death be in vain.....take ATLEAST the precautions we have with our three doodles....do NOT leave your laundry unattended.....do NOT give them a fabric toy that can easily be torn apart in a blink of an eye and  swallowed.....GET INSURANCE!!!!!!!!!!

My warning here is clear.....NO ONE can watch their dogs 24/7....if they say they are they are lying or do not have a healthy lifestyle...... .... we ALL are REQUIRED as stewards and caregivers of these sweet creatures to do WHATEVER we can to take PRECAUTIONS. Despite them, ACCIDENTS can and WILL happen. Doodles, by nature, are curious little fur balls and sneaky! That can and WILL outwit you!

Ultimately, what caused Gaston's damage was the knot of a braided fleece DOG toy that created a plug that didn’t allow anything to come in or out. . It doesn't negate the rest of the warnings but clarifies how accidents can happen even with  dog toys --- and WILL!

 Insurance is not a get out of jail free card.....but it is a buffer....a buffer between a choice you can make and a choice you may have no option but to make.  Gaston’s care reached close to $4000. 

Rest in Peace sweet boy.  You served as an incredible ambassador for the doodle community in your living  and your passing will not be in vain.  

Gaston-Cramer   September 11, 2008----February 7, 2014 

 

 

[Kyoko]

I am so sorry to hear about this...Prayer and hugs......

Thank you so much for sharing the story as well.......

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Thank you Kyoko

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

What a beautiful boy.  Thank you for sharing, I am sure it was not easy but I hope at the same time it eased your pain to spread the words of warning-it can truly happen in the blink of an eye.  RIP sweet boy.  

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

It wasn't easy Lori .I'm glad I was encouraged to share it.  Spreading the word in his honor will hopefully share another family the grief we are experiencing

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I am so sorry for your loss Carole.  I'm sure GC crossed over the Rainbow Bridge with your love and memories of his wonderful family.  Thank you for sharing your story and alerting all of us just how fast things can happen. RIP sweet Gaston-Cramer.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Thank you Lonnie...he crossed with love

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Carole, so very sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for sharing your story. A lesson for us all.

Hugs to you and your family.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Thank you Carla

[cheryl & oliver]

Oh Carole, thank you for sharing your story with all of us, and yes accidents will happen, and they do, but u are so right, w ehave to be so careful with what is given to our fur babies...And what we leave around for them to get into..Who would have ever thought that a dog toy like that would cause such a heartbreak...Hugs to you and yours, and R.I.P. sweet Gaston, may you be running and happy and healthy at the Rainbow Bridge playing with all that have passed before you...

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Thanks Cheryl

[Bridget and Lupin]

I'm so so sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful boy.  Thank you for sharing your story.  Makes me feel less crazy about obsessively monitoring her toys and fishing pieces out of her mouth. 

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

You are not crazy Bridget...just a good dog mom ;)