Heartbreaking but important to share...

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

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Permalink Reply by Lauren and Kona on February 21, 2014 at 6:57pm

I'm so, so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing... My puppy is coming home in a week and this definitely makes me more cautious.

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Permalink Reply by Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi) on February 22, 2014 at 11:13am

Enjoy your new puppy and thank you for taking the time to read this and so much more on DK. You will be a wonderful new puppy owner

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Permalink Reply by Debbie & Gibbs on February 21, 2014 at 7:13pm

Thank you letting us know how the best of owners can have an unfortunate accident.

We have one of the fleece braided toys that our Westie's play tug-of-war with, I'm throwing it in the trash tonight. Gibbs, our doodle will eat anything that isn't tied down and our Westie's would never eat anything that isn't food placed in their bowl. So sorry for your loss, GC was a beautiful dog.

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Permalink Reply by Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi) on February 22, 2014 at 11:14am

Thank you Debbie for throwing it away! Hugs to Gibbs and your westies

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Permalink Reply by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on February 21, 2014 at 7:19pm

I am so sorry, Carole. As a long time dk member and I remember Gaston-Cramer. RIP, sweet boy. Thank you so much for sharing. My dogs have those knotted toys - HAD those knotted toys, thanks to your information.

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Permalink Reply by Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi) on February 22, 2014 at 11:14am

I know you remember Nancy....we go way back. Thank you so much for honoring him and throwing away the knotted toys.

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Permalink Reply by Camilla and Darwin on February 21, 2014 at 7:20pm

I am so sorry to hear about poor Gaston-Cramer. Thank you for sharing this, it's a very, very important warning that we all need to be reminded of. We do not give Darwin stuffed toys because he tears them apart, and I am going to double my commitment to being ever vigilant and watching him. Hugs to you and your family.