Please pet-proof your home as you'd child-proof your home.

[Risa]

I realize a lot of people don't think about this -- I don't, mostly because I don't have a pet -- but choking (to me) is one of the most frightening ways to die, and as few people know how to do the heimlich for human beings, let alone infants, how many fewer still know the heimlich for pets?

I also realize the pop bytes gossip writer could be faking the vapors. I also can't vouch for readers Jen and DK's comments below about the instincts of retrievers, and what kind of cases show up in animal hospitals; but DK's advice about older toys, rawhide chews, and bones sounds money. It's a pet, and there's no reason for a dog to die like this if it can be avoided. I still remember a pet doctor show re-enactment of a dog choking on a little plastic ball, that scared the shit out of me. Please treat your pets well: pet proof your home.

Story courtesy of dlisted, who received it from popbytes:



OPRAH'S DOGGIE HEARTBREAK :(
Monday July 16 2007 @ 7:16PM
FILED UNDER OPRAH WINFREY
COMMENTS (13) | PERMALINK | DIGG | STUMBLE

oh my gosh i hate posting sad news...oprah winfrey lost one of her golden retrievers named gracie after she choked on a plastic ball that belonged to her older cocker spaniel sophie! oprah adopted three golden retrievers which she introduced as 'her new family' on her show back in 2005 - the other two are named luke & layla - all three doggies were featured on the cover of her magazine twice - she opens up about the tragic accident in the upcoming august '07 issue of O...i ran barefoot out of the house and found the dog walker and one of my security guys pumping her chest. just as i reached them, the security guard looked up and said 'she's gone' oh how sad...gracie was only about two years old!

this story reminded me about my little dog petey who passed away about two and a half years ago after choking on his food - i was devastated and still think about him on a daily basis - he was the best and such a sweet dog! my thoughts & prayers go out to ms. winfrey and please make sure there's nothing around that your dog could possibly choke on or hurt themselves with - i'm overly paranoid when it comes to my doggies parker & fidel - i simply couldn't bear losing another one tragically - popbytes over & out for now - xxoo [/quote]

Reader Gigi wrote: what kind of stupid ass dog chokes to death on a ball?

Reader Jen wrote: Hey GiGi, apparently you either have never had a dog or dont pay a damn bit of attention to your own. Golden Retrievers are very appropriately named. All they want to do is retrieve and if you had one or was even the slightest bit knowledgeable you would know that they are constantly carrying around a ball, toy, stick or something in thier mouth. It could have very easily choked on a ball if it was playing with a ball that was too small or perhaps was laying on its back while holding it with two front paws which I have seen numerous dogs do. Mallinformed people just spewing things out of thier mouth without facts only enhances thier ignorance. Further, that was a very heartless thing to say.

Reader DK wrote: I worked @ an Animal hospital for years and seen alot of choking accidents. People just remember that when toys become wore down to throw them out.Raw hyde chews are dangerous for all dogs. Also all kinds of bones,chicken or beef bones splinter and can get stuck down dogs throats, FYI...

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

What's with the upper and left pic? She doesn't know whether to console it or break out the mustard bottle.

[Screw_Michigan]

fuckinG TROTS this piece of shit

[Risa]

Google Search:

1. WoodHaven Labradors (A site with a lot of links, from birth to death. Includes link to some site called PGAA's instructions for Dog CPR; as well as a small graphical showing how to administer Animal Heimlich)

2. Global Crisis Solution Center (Which offers "What to do and how to do instructions, procedures and links to emergency help for dog, cat, bird - not breathing, no pulse, unconscious, heart attack, trauma, electric shock, drowning, freezing, smoke inhalation, blocked air channels, Heimlich for choking, obstructed air passages, asthma, drowning." Suffice to say, it has a shitload of links leading deeper to the site offering the above assistance. Having never been in those situations, and not being a vet, I can't vouch for the validity of any of them.)

3. Petplace.com's Heimlich for your dog (a pop up comes up asking you to register after a couple seconds of being on the page, though.)

4. Pet First Aid: Choking
by Aimee Amodio (I don't know who this is, but the advice looks about the same as on the other sites. Looks about is the the difference between death and life, though, right? :? )

Last night, as I was sitting at the computer, I heard an awful hacking from the bedroom. For a very frightening second, I thought I was going to need to do the Heimlich maneuver on Moose! I ran to his side just in time to watch him spit up a half-chewed rawhide. Yummy! But this is probably a good time to review what to do if your pet is choking.

1. Determine if your pet is choking, or just coughing. If he is coughing, there's still air going in. Trying to help could injure him. If he's choking, there is little or no air going in. This is when your pet needs you.

2. Remove collars, as any constriction on the throat could be adding to your pet's distress.

3. Keep in mind that your pet will be frantic and upset - you may need someone to help restrain your pet. If your pet can still partially breathe, it's best to keep him calm and take him to the vet for attention.

4. If your pet is completely unable to breathe, open your pet's mouth and pull the tongue forward to see if an obstruction is visible. Reach into your pet's mouth and do a finger sweep. Be gentle! If you can see or feel a foreign object, carefully attempt to remove it. If it is lodged firmly, do not try to force it - you could cause damage to your pet's throat.

5. If your pet is small enough to lift, hold them upside down by the back legs. The position change may be enough to dislodge whatever is choking them.

6. If your pet is too large to lift, lay them on their side. Kneel with your legs against his back. Push up under his ribcage with your fist in a Heimlich-like maneuver. Do not apply too much force, or you can injure him!

7. Call your vet immediately, even if you can clear your pet's windpipe. He may have internal injuries that may require attention.

You can minimize choking risks by making sure your pet has access only to appropriate toys and treats. A rawhide or toy that is too small can be a choking hazard. For extra-large dogs, even a tennis ball can be dangerous!

[Blueblood]

[Cuda]

A Golden choked on a ball?

I wonder how long a stick Oprah had to use to shove the ball down the dog's throat?

[Risa]

A Golden choked on a ball?

I wonder how long a stick Oprah had to use to shove the ball down the dog's throat?

Reader Jen wrote: ... It could have very easily choked on a ball if it was playing with a ball that was too small or perhaps was laying on its back while holding it with two front paws which I have seen numerous dogs do...

The ball belonged to the cocker spaniel, Sophie. Why would Oprah lie? She's not Paris Hilton.

[rozy]

Why would Oprah lie?

Predisposition

Kinda like you comparing the nog Oprah to the white trash Paris. Fat black bitches are predisposed to being liars.

[Risa]

Why would Oprah lie?

Predisposition

Kinda like you comparing the nog Oprah to the white trash Paris. Fat black bitches are predisposed to being liars.

Now, you're just trolling.

[Blueblood]

did someone say "Walnuts"?



"No, no, no...noooo....he was referring to Annie's mangy dog not to
the actual nut, you nut!"

[rozy]

Like a Ho (that's nogspeak for black bitch) to a watermelon, in she comes firing blanks.

And actually, I'm not trolling. Think about it for 10 years...or eternity...whichever comes first.

[Mikey]

And while you're at it, be sure to spay your kids.

[A-Bomb]

where da white women at?

[Rollins]

Where da white women at? They're grazing off my treasure chest of sexual prowess, you FAT FUCKING ASSHOLE. You'd go back into hiding and fucking STAY there if you knew what was good for you, Sandwich Artist.

Me and Stevo aren't yet ready to chase after you and D'Bag in Frisco. We're too busy living the good life. My money clip is fatter than your man tits after you've squeezed them together in a fucking vice. Stevo's game with these hos is fucking CUTTING EDGE. He pulls the latin bitches. He pulls the white bitches. He pulls the fat bitches. He even pulls the asian bitches and the black whores. The black bitches suck his cock and then ask for a roll of quarters so they can do laundry. They spend it on 40s, but we don't fuckin care cuz we're taggin that shit and livin' like STRAIGHT BALLAS!

HOLLA!

[Luther]

LOL

Rip City

[Dinsdale]

I'm calling bullshit on that story.


If I had to listen to Oprah day in and day out, I'd shove something down my gullet in an attempt to end it all, too.


It was suicide.

[WolverineSteve]

So a rich black broad's dog buys the farm and it's thread worthy?

Fuck you Risa. White people's dog's shit the bed daily and you never mention it. You fucking racist. Christ, I've lost a few dogs and never mentioned it.

Me too...,

Sin,
Mike V.

[Y2K]

I'm calling bullshit on that story.


If I had to listen to Oprah day in and day out, I'd shove something down my gullet in an attempt to end it all, too.


It was suicide.

Rack!


Annie,
Animals die.... sometimes.... ba dump.... ba dump...

Real fast like....

Sincerely,


Can you pet-proof the streets as well? thanks.

[BSmack]

Can you pet-proof the streets as well? thanks.

Can a brotha get a fence up in here?

sin

Fido in KC

[PSUFAN]

Fat black bitches are predisposed to being liars.

One hopes that you'll pray for them. You thumpers are all about redemption, right?

[Headhunter]

I'm calling bullshit on that story.


If I had to listen to Oprah day in and day out, I'd shove something down my gullet in an attempt to end it all, too.


It was suicide.

Apparently you've never seen the South Park episode where Paris' dog does just that. Blows his brains out to get away from thew hell that is Paris.


Genius idea. You're in good company.

[OCmike]

Can someone please Risa-proof this forum?

[Risa]

Not only does my lab not play with a ball like it a cat with a ball for yarn, she will not fetch a ball that she can't get a grip on with her teeth. To make my point even further, my dog is a fucking idiot.

She's a smart dog......... except if something is so small she snarfs it up instead of merely gripping it, she can die. But she doesn't go after the little shit either, right?

Fat black bitches are predisposed to being liars.

One hopes that you'll pray for them. You thumpers are all about redemption, right?

A christer Texan? A racist christer Texan? A racist ex-cop christer Texan?


oh my. :? We're doomed.

Can you pet-proof the streets as well? thanks.

Hi, Y2K. yes, one can pet-proof the streets. As Mikey suggests, spay and neuter. I don't know why so many people are resistant to spaying and neutering pets. It usually improves disposition.

Keep your animals secure on your property. Don't let them run wild, and don't give them an excuse, reason or opportunity to run wild.

[Mikey]

I suggested that everybody spay their kids, not their pets.

[Goober McTuber]

I pet-proofed my house. I told my wife there’s no way in hell we’re having any pets.

[velocet]

On the plus side, Risa expands her posting horizons. BIG step in a better direction.

The only drawback: that there was any mention or hint of the presence of Oafra.



velocet

[Jay in Phoenix]

For the love of god...please make Risa stop posting!

[RadioFan]

older toys, rawhide chews, and bones

It's a good idea not to have dogs consume those. They might choke and could die.

Sin,