Toy Warning

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Last Friday morning, trying to keep my 2 girls and a foster boy busy, I decided to throw balls around the yard to them. I then went into their toy tub and pulled out the rope with tennis ball attached similar to this one.

My error - not knowing that Samantha was behind me. I swung my arm behind me to give it a good throw and smacked her right in her left OPEN eye! She screamed and ran. Took her to the vet immediately. I scratched her cornea (4 lines - must have been the ends of the rope). I was nauseous that I hurt my girl - it was so dumb - not paying attention. Not intentional of course but it culd have been prevented if I just was paying attention. You can be sure for now I will know where every eye is before I toss a toy anywhere, anytime.

I had to give her 2 different kinds of eye drops - 1 4 times a day and the the other only once a day - my punishment for not paying attention to all 3 doodles!

The reason I am telling you this is that the eye specialist told me he must see at least 2 dogs a week, especially retrievers, with the same injury occuring the same way.

Our ball on a rope is in the trash.

Just wanted to share.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thank you for sharing. I am glad Sam is okay!!! We can't even keep those ropy things because Peri eats them. guess that's a good thing...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you so much for drawing this to our attention. I had no idea.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Thank you so much for the warning. I am sure you were mortified. Samantha knows you didn't mean to hurt her.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks so much for the warning about something that could happen to anyone. Samantha has already forgiven you, now you forgive yourself. Those corneal abrasions do heal fast, thank goodness.

[Kathy Spyker]

I am so glad she is a healed up. Don't be too hard on yourself, things happen so quickly. Have a great time at the beach.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

How awful for you and the dog. I've smacked my dogs with the ball chuckit more than once, luckily with no major injuries. They know now to stay away from me when I carry it around the yard and we play ball.

[cheryl & oliver]

I am hoping that Samantha is doing well, what a scare, and we do have one of those toys, well we did have one, I just threw it away, thanks for the warning...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so sorry about Samantha. I'm sure it must have hurt (it probably hurt you even more), but it's great that there's no permanent damage and she'll be fine in a couple of days. I know how hard it is to watch two, let alone three. I'm betting there have some very special treats for Samantha. I don't have this toy, but my brother has one very similar and when we're together he plays with it with all the dogs, so I'm grateful for this warning.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Glad Samantha's eye is healed up & she's all better! Don't blame yourself, who would think such a thing could happen? Thanks for the warning though. Jack doesn't care for the rope toys, he likes his tennis balls plain, but I'm sure others here have these.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Thanks Jane. Learned a very expensive lesson - $345.00 (TG for pet insurance) but the money is the least of it! There is no replacing sight! The specialist called her 'all healed' and ready for the beach Sunday!!