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 

 

 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Such a sweet, sweet boy.  RIP Gaston and ((HUGS)) to you Carol for taking the time to share your story.  I'm headed over to Enzo to give her some extra hugs and snuggles. You are right...things can change in an instant.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Please give Enzo a huge from me too

[Kathy]

OMG how sad and heartbreaking,,and what a BEAUTIFUL doodle he was!Thank you for shareing,,I  for one will be more careful ,sometimes we just get laxed and we think  ahhhhh,,no worries ,,but like you said it takes a second,,there like babies only 4 ever!!!My heart goes out to you and your family!!! Your story surely woke me up!!!

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

He was beautiful Kathy....thank you for your kind words

[jenn D]

RIP dear boy. Thank you for sharing. We have gates up everywhere due to kids and dogs. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

I'm so glad....gates are a start....when the kids are grown keep them up!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I'm so sorry for your loss Carole, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for sharing this painful story. And not just for new puppy owners. We can all use a wake-up call, just so sorry it came this way.  Gaston, RIP sweet boy. 

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Thank you Cheryl

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Bless you Carole for sharing Gaston's story. I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your sweet, beautiful boy. I know that he will be with you always. 

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Thank you again for encouraging me to share his story.  It was terribly heartbreaking but I think it made a difference.  What better way to honor our sweet boy

[Traz, Karen & Dale]

Oh my goodness, Carole ~ I am so sorry to read about Gaston and the difficult decision that had to be made by you and your family.  Your Gaston looks a lot like our Traz.  Last July, we thought we might lose Traz to bloat and a twisted stomach.  Thank goodness the Doggie Angels were watching over him and he is still with us today.  Yes, we do have to watch him closer than before, but it is all worth it because we love him so.  My heart aches for you, but I can tell that Gaston was loved SO much during the time he was here and definitely made a difference to everyone around him.  Fortunately, we have pet insurance and this did help make things easier when he was ill.  Rest in peace sweet, sweet, Gaston.  You will be missed by your family and Doodle friends.  Hugs & woof, woof from Traz.  (Sorry for the large size of this photo, I didn't know how to make it smaller when I posted it)

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Traz is beautiful and does look incredibly like GC!