Would You Rather Be a Helicopter Mom or Have a Dead Doodle?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I heard a very sad story today. A beautiful doodle who was adopted from the DRC died yesterday while in his fenced backyard with his Golden Retriever brother.

The two dogs were alone in the yard for about 30 minutes. When the owner went to call them in, she found them lying together, the Golden's mouth caught in the doodle's collar.  Whether the doodle choked to death or his neck was broken by his frantic brother trying to free himself, we don't yet know. The owner is heartbroken, as are his former foster mom and the entire DRC family.

Please, everyone, supervise your dogs when they are in the yard. A fenced yard is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't prevent all tragedies. A little bit of overprotectiveness can be a very good thing.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle says "Naked is good!" :-D

[Ali & Sonny D.]

Can someone please tell me what a break away collar is and where I get one. My Sonny and my parent's dog wrestle like crazy and are always nipping at each others necks to get the others attention. I definitely want to get that collar.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Breakaway Collars

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And be sure to read the "About Us" section on the Breakaway website. The collar was designed by a woman whose own dog strangled to death after his collar became caught on something.

http://www.breakawaycollar.com/about.cfm

[Ali & Sonny D.]

Thank you Karen. This is so horrific. I am so sad for the family. I am ordering one for Sonny and my parents dog. 

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

I am reading this with tears streaming down my face.  This is heartbreaking. My boys don't wear collars unless we are out for a walk or away from home.  This is something that I have struggled with and something my DH and I disagree on a lot but this story makes me glad that we take their collars off. I am praying for this family.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

That's just horrible. People, please take those collars off when the dogs are home. Just like with kids, bad things happen really fast and dogs need a constant supervision. With my two, the collars are off the minute we walk in the house, and if they are playing outside, I check on them very often. I'm very confident when I leave Monty home, he just sleeps and does not get into any trouble. I'm not so sure how Auggie will be. He is crated right now. There is no need for collars while the dogs are inside or in the fenced in backyard. I feel bad for the family.

[Sue Robin F]

This is so sad. It could happen anywhere ... inside or out. I know there are times I am sleeping and the dogs are wrestling..... or even in the back part of my car as I am driving. I must buy break away collars ... for I am not always comfortable without collars on in case they escape ... although they are all microchipped. They do spend so much times wrestling. Their collars are off now.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the whole family who experienced this tragedy.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

How terribly awful, I can't think of it, it's so sad....: (

[Sue & Willy Babe]

 How very tragic when Wilson is playing with his friends we always watch the gang !!

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

This is such a sad story....hate those collars.  Comiskey and Beemer don't wear them. Warm thought and prayers going out to all....

[Leslie and Halas]

This is so sad.  Halas never wears a collar when he's in our house, and I take Barley's off when he's over, too.  At my condo, there's no way for them to get out of my tiny little yard, so I only put the collars on when we go for a walk.  But my mom has a bigger fenced yard.  It's pretty secure, but it would be possible (gate open, etc.) for the dogs to get out, so they wear their collars and tags there.  But she's home, so she can keep an eye on them, indoors and out.  But we were talking about this sad story last night, and it was a good reminder that we really need to keep an eye on them when they've got those collars on.  I feel so horrible for this family.  These things can happen in an instant.