Chuck it Balls and your Doodle Size

[Gena, Wookie and baby boy coming]

 We have had a tragic accident with Huey.   I've not been able to write about it until now.  I  was playing ball, just like every other day when an accident happened.  Sadly, the last ball he caught, got stuck in his windpipe. I saw immediately what happened and ran to help him. I gave him the heimlich several times and i couldnt dislodge it. In a panic I ran to the men who paving our street.   Two men came and tried to heimlich it out also. I called 911, We still had a hearbeat and I could feel the ball in his neck, so i pushed up on the ball from outside and finally one of the men was able to reach in and get it out. I started CPR with compressions and breathing, but it was too late, and he passed away in my lap. 
This boy depended on us for everything, we adopted him at 12 weeks from my Aunt, who couldn't handle a puppy at her age.  He had some chakra 1 wounds that we did our best to support and heal-and Wookie took him under his 'paw' from day one!  They were inseparable.  All he ever wanted from us was Love-- and we gave him all we had. I can't let go of the thought that I let him down, I couldnt save him. Logigally I know we did everyting we could, but I keep replaying it in my mind. 

I'd like to put out a little PSA, as I know you Love your babies as much as we do. What happened with Huey was a freak accident, and I know that, however, I have been thinking so much about how something like this could possibly be prevented for any one of us.

We always used the brand "Chuck it" balls (I like the launcher as well, it saves my World Series status throwing arm ;-)) These balls were recommended by the vet, as the tennis balls were collecting sand and dirt and wearing down Huey's teeth. The video below gives you a pretty good view of the different sizes. Please do your research before you pick one for your babies. Huey weighed 60lbs and was considered a large dog. We were using the 'Large Dog' size. If I were able to change one thing, it would be to have used the XXL, as he liked to 'catch' the ball, not just chase it.  We don't hold any ill feelings with the Chuck It brand, in fact we recommend them.  We can't go back, but we can learn from each other and go forward. I post this with love <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb01Q6LZb8E

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Gena, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story in the hopes that another tragedy might be prevented.

We had another post here last fall that sounds like the same story. Perhaps it was your story that Carol shared? 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/dangerous-ball-games-pleas...

Hugs to you and Wookie. 

[Gena, Wookie and baby boy coming]

Hi Karen and Jackdoodle,  Thank you so much.   Carol did share my story last fall.  I just couldn't do it and she was so wonderful to reach out and get the word out.   I'm glad you saw it then and for anyone who didn't, this will be a good reminder.   All the best...  hugs back!  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Gena, I am so sorry.  I really appreciate that you took the time to share your tragedy in hopes that it will save a life whether Carol shared it a while ago or you doing it now.  It is important for each of us to educate our fellow dog owners.

[Wendy and Myla]

Gena, thank you so much for telling Huey's story - I remember when Carol and Banjo told it and I immediately replaced our chuck-it balls with the XXL (even though Myla can never catch a ball, no matter how hard she tries!) and it's a great post for newer readers to learn from!  Huey looks so very happy in this picture - he is actually smiling!  I am so sorry for your heartbreak but I know that Huey left this world knowing he was very loved and you can tell he was a very happy doodle!  Hugs and I hope that his memories will bring a smile to your heart very soon!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thank you Gena for again posting your story. It could save the life of another doodle. My husband received a chuck-it launcher and ball as an xmas gift and I was thrilled Charlie did not want anything to do with the ball.  His preference is the kong squeaky and because I have read several of stories similar to yours, I have grown paranoid about launching balls with great speed anymore. Actually, our vet recommended that we keep the ball down, so that by the time they get to it - it rolling rather than still in the air hoping to prevent cruciate tears.  It is so hard to do.  Charlie is an aggressive ball player and we have had some scare in the airborne area!  Thanks for posting - I hope those that do use Chuck-it balls, will get the XXL ones like you suggested. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious boy. 

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I remember reading this also and appreciate that it was shared. My girls are also catchers, they love to chase but they leave the ground jumping to catch a ball.  We removed the smaller ones from our house after reading your story.

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

I remember reading this and immediately replacing the small balls with ones that could not get lodged in our dogs' throats. I am so so sorry for your loss. We lost one of our doodles in a sudden event and it is absolutely devastating. You loved your pup so well and gave him love and a home. I hope you are comforted in those thoughts. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for caring enough about all of our babies to pass this onto us.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Oh , how very sad.  I am so sorry for you and Huey.  Hugs to you and Wookie.

[Lisa &amp; Sunny]

I am so sorry to hear about what happened to your beautiful Huey.  Thank you for sharing.  My pup is almost 10 weeks old, and we have one Chuck It ball.  I am going to be very careful with the ball size.

[Bonnie and Kona]

My heart aches for you. I hope you are able to come to terms with your loss knowing you loved Huey with all of your heart and would never have imagined this could happen. Thank you for telling us this story. Kona loves to catch more than fetch. I have usually used a toy rather than a ball, but you have cemented that in my head now. Sending you lots of love.