My Boys Scared Me To Death!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I just had an experience that terrified me.  Guinness and Murph were playing here in the den, and I was on the computer.  They were doing their "shark biting" thing and having a good time.  Then I noticed that there was a problem....they both started thrashing about and Guinness was making an ungodly noise.  I jumped up and realized that their collars were somehow stuck together and Guinness could not breathe...he was strangling.  The problem was that they were thrashing so much that I couldn't get to the release on the collar.  My DH had left already to get the grandkids off to school, so I started screaming for my DS....I have no idea what he could possibly do to help.  Anyway this went on for several more seconds while I struggled with the clasp....at this point Guinness's anal glands released....poor baby probably thought he was dying.  Anyway, I eventually was able to undo the clasp and they are okay.  Guinness is still terrified and hiding under the bed.  For a long time I used breakaway collars for this reason, but they kept coming off at inopportune times, so I stopped using them.  I guess I will have to always remember to remove their collars inside the house from now on.  If I hadn't been right there, Guinness would have died.  If it happened 10 minutes later, I would have been in the shower.  Just something to think about for others with two Doodles who "romp" together.  I'm so grateful that they are okay.  Now I have to figure out how to get this odor out of here and give Guinness a bath.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Exactly my thinking Karen. And yes, when you go to the vet, have them check the chip. Calla's is down near her shoulder.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Karen, It never occurred to me to have their chips checked! The vet should do that when they are in for a physical or shots, at least once I would think, but mine never has!

[Liana & Jindi]

Thanks Karen, I never thought of it that way. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The microchip is fine if the dog is found by someone who brings him to a facility where they can read the chip. But that necessitates taking the dog to a vet, or shelter, and some people simply call the police when they find a dog, who will then usually turn him over to the local animal control shelter. That's a lot of trauma for your dog, a lot of time before you are contacted, and a lot of chance for error. Meanwhile, you are worried sick and searching everywhere. If the dog is wearing a collar or tag with your name and number, most people would simply call you and your dog would be back home within minutes.

It's also important to have your dog's chip checked regularly to be sure it is still in place and readable.  

[Liana & Jindi]

Glad they are ok, what a frightful experience. If the dogs are Microchipped would it be so bad if they did get out with their collars off??? I worry about that all the time but then I think, well at least Jindi has a Microchip.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Wow - this makes me realize that we should be taking our boys collars off when we leave the house!  We were gone last night for about 3 hrs - what if this had happened while we were gone?  I'm SO happy this had a happy ending - thank you for the lesson Jane - I'm sorry that you went through this but I am changing my habits because of it!!!!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Adrianne - That story is horrible.  I'm so sorry.  How awful a sight for you dad to see.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

 This is so scary. We always leave the dog's collars on because I am terrified of them getting loose without their i.d.  I am sorry this happened but am so glad the boys are ok.

[Denise & Sophie]

I am so glad they are ok. How scary.

[Debbie Penny]

OMG Thank goodness Guinness and Murph are both okay!  I have one with a collar, and one without.  Most often if they both have collars on , one gets yanked off anyways and it's always the same dog that loses the collar?  I struggle with the non collar issue all the time, fearing what if they got out of the yard and had no id on.  Darn if you do, darn if you don't.   I'm sorry that you all had to go through that, and am glad no disaster resulted.  Thanks for the reminder of no collars when our doodles play.