Buyer Beware!

[Heidi & Milton]

When I was a kid, and I got to stay home from school because I was sick, it wasn't such a bad thing.  My mom would dote on me all day long from my vantage point on the sofa plopped in front of the TV.  If it was a Wednesday, my dad would be home too, so the house always had an energy about it.

Yesterday I stayed home sick from school, and it was quite the different experience.  I felt like it was a big, inconvenient break in my agenda -- Milt was supposed to be at daycare, me school, followed by evening yoga.  Instead, I spent the day at home in my pink bathrobe (you know the one I am referring to).  That morning I had awoken with a gurgling stomach followed by the sudden and frequent urge to rush to the toilet.  I'm not one to ever take a sick day (it's too much time that I miss with my kids), but the thought of me running to the restroom multiple times in a period, while the students stopped and stared, was unbearable.  I have absolutely amazing students, but even I would need to comment on that!

The worst part is you are at home on a weekday, which is kind of like a mini-holiday, but you don't feel well -- vacuuming, dusting, and mopping just have to wait.  Poor Milt couldn't even fathom why it was 2P.M., Momma was still in bed, and we hadn't even taken our daily walk yet!  I felt bad for my boy.  I invited him up onto the bed, and this time he stayed around for a solid two hours.  He is not a cuddly one up at the head, but he prefers to lie at my feet and stretch out.

Sweet boy napping with his Momma

What is the "Buyer Beware!" bit of this post all about?  Well, in addition to being sick, with what I think was a 24-hour flu bug or a reaction to the triple-washed salad that I deemed safe not to wash again but maybe I should have, I was injured at the dog park!  On Monday, Milt and I went for a post-work trip, and I completely blanked that the park is always closed on Mondays.  Thankfully though, the water portion was still available, so we went over for Milt to have a dip.  Lots of other dogs were there, but one woman arrived with her new schnoodle puppy.  She was black/white and super cute, but the woman kept her on the leash because she was uncertain how the pup would interact with the big dogs.  This leash was a retractable, but instead of like a nylon material, it was made out of wire to prevent puppies chewing.  Well, that puppy ran around and got tangled around my leg.  The woman said a terse, "Sorry," but I reached down to grab at my shin.  You might think, how bad could that possibly hurt, well look:

Ouch!

It is like a barbed wire cut, and it is still quite tender.  I have been nursing it with aloe vera, and I am sure that it will eventually heal, but I am a bit nervous about scarring.  Point being, I do NOT recommend wire retractable leashes -- they are a danger!

Have fun this weekend, everyone, and stay safe!

To read more about Milton the Goldendoodle please visit www.goldilocksandherdoodle.com

[Janice Hammond]

Retractable leashes are a cure. Not safe for anyone and the handler has zero control of the dog. I walk each morning with two other women and their dogs and they use retractable leads and several time I have been almost "clothes lined".The dogs are all over the place and they can't control them.

I am sure you will be fine but it sure hurts at the moment.Just keep it clean and dry.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I would use some bacitracin or neomycin cream...ouch is right!...but Milt looks peaceful!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I hope you are feeling better by now! What a job on your leg from that leash, ugh!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Retractable leashes are dangerous no matter what they are made of, to humans and dogs both. We have had many discussions about this. There is not a trainer in this country who endorses the use of any type of retractable leash. 

Sorry you got hurt and I hope you heal quickly. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Wow Heidi, that looks awful. I'm sorry about your flu bug too. Yuck. Happy you had a bed buddy for part of the day though.

[Meridith and Lola]

That happened to me once as well in a really bad spot - behind my knee so it took along time to heal and the scar takes quite awhile as well for some reason.  It will only happen once though because now you will know to stay far away from any similar leash.  Hope you feel better.

[Pat and Traveler]

Hope you feel better soon---and sorry about that ouchie, which looks like it hurts!  Wire in the leash???  That is just so dangerous!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

ouch! that looks painful, but oh how sweet is that photo of milt!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

OMD Heidi that looks very sore!  I can't believe it could even do that and would probably also hurt another dog or the dog it is leashed up to!  Whoa!  Our trainer did not like them and advised us against using one and maybe now I see why!  I'm sorry you have had a couple of bad days and hopefully the flu bug is over quickly.  Loved the picture of Milt, he looks concerned for you!