Ariel almost strangled to death....I feel beyond sick

[jazzmynn]

I don’t even know where to begin. Ariel was out with me while I was gardening this morning, hooked on a long lead on the deck, which is often the norm due to our leash laws. A couple of days ago we noticed that her current collar was giving her a rash type thing on her neck, so I changed it out for a slip collar that we had on hand. Temporary fix until I replace the original. I hate these collars, with good reason. I popped in the house to quickly grab a couple of things, and when I went back out I noticed she was lying on her tummy, in the hot sun, in a very awkward position. I called her and she didn’t even turn her head to look at me. I ran over to her, only to find that her tags had become wedged in between the deck boards. Of course she started pulling really hard which only tightened the collar horribly and I couldn’t get it loosened. I was trying to force her shoulders down so I could release the tags, but no luck. I yelled for the neighbor but he didn’t hear me. I was finally able to force her down, not really caring what angle her front legs were at, and slipped the collar off her neck.

She was panting horribly and the look on her face was heartbreaking. We had huge snuggles and I had a hell of a good sob fest after she was freed. What an absolutely terrifying feeling of helplessness. Honest to god, I thought I was going to lose her. I’m so upset right now.

After she started breathing better and was more herself, I took her for a little swim to cool her down a bit and she could have some fun. The collar is still on the deck with the tags wedged in. I can’t pull it out, it’s really stuck in there. I’ll have hubby take the board off when he gets home, and the collar is being cut in half.....

 

[Rosie]

Wow. Well done for moving so fast. It's one of those things you couldn't imagine happening until it does. Glad to hear she and you are ok....keep up the cuddles and breathe deeply....

 

[kateincornwall]

Oh good grief , what a terrible shock for you , and I am so pleased that what could have been a tragedy has ended well . Please dont berate yourself , these things happen to the best of us , so pleased that all is well now xx

 

[Charlie]

How frightening for you but quick thinking to avert a possible tragedy. I hope you and Ariel are OK now. Do not blame yourself, as I know I had a collar incident with Hattie & Charlie a few years ago. Things happen no matter how careful we are being. to you both. xxx

 

[SwampDonkey]

Glad you're both ok.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

How scary - thank goodness for your quick action. It's going to take a while to get over that...be kind to yourself and keep giving Ariel big cuddles.

 

[M.F.]

So pleased it all ended ok. So frightening. Snowie only wears a collar when out or if we have workers on our property and there’s a risk he might get out—collar for ID only. Otherwise, at home no collar. I can’t bear the risk of strangling (also, I feel bad for him to have the metal tag tinkling in his ear all the time). Perhaps you can have her wear a harness with the long lead when on your deck, no collar?

 

[Joy]

Terrifying! Glad that Ariel is ok.

 

[HAH]

How petrifying @jazzmynn , thank goodness for your quick reactions and hopefully no lasting damage to Ariel. That sounds exceptionally scary - do give yourself and Ariel time to decompress, it might take a while after such a horrible experience x

 

[jazzmynn]

So pleased it all ended ok. So frightening. Snowie only wears a collar when out or if we have workers on our property and there’s a risk he might get out—collar for ID only. Otherwise, at home no collar. I can’t bear the risk of strangling (also, I feel bad for him to have the metal tag tinkling in his ear all the time). Perhaps you can have her wear a harness with the long lead when on your deck, no collar?

Thanks MF. She actually did have her harness on as we'd gotten back from a walk a short bit before this happened. Negligence on my part for not taking the collar off of her.

 

[jazzmynn]

I'm actually feeling very lousy right now, and keep looking at her thinking "what if". It was much too close for comfort. Ariel on the other hand, I think she's recovered 100% as she certainly enjoyed her swim and her lunch.

 

[Charlie]

Beautiful photo's, I hope she won't have any lasting affects. Looking at her it doesn't look like it. Hope you will calm down soon. Give yourself a break. xx

 

[chrisc831]

 

[HAH]

I’m sorry you’re feeling lousy @jazzmynn , but it is entirely understandable. It’s a form of shock when something like this happens, so go very gently with yourself. Check you’ve eaten properly today, had a drink, maybe have something sweet like a chocolate bar. Talking it out can help, so if you have someone you can just blurt to then do. Or do it here - it’s a safe place to let off steam x

 

[jazzmynn]

This is what happened. Her vaccination tag on the lower part is free, it's her ID tag that jammed in the boards. I had her hooked on her harness, but the slip collar must have slipped down when she was laying down and wedged itself. This just makes me shiver. She's having a snooze on the couch downstairs in the coolness of the basement - she appears to be unfazed by the whole thing. Which makes me smile just a wee bit.

 

[jazzmynn]

Thanks everyone. It does help to talk it out. I called hubby about an hour after it happened, but I was a write-off on the phone. lol

 

[Beanwood]

Please don't beat yourself up, you were there, watching out for her when it mattered. It is the second incident of dog tags getting wedged in decking that I have heard about in the last couple of days, something to think about in this hot weather when dogs naturally bask in the sunshine.

Alternatives to dog tags if anyone is interested

Slide on metal tag

Orvis embroidered dog tag

 

[MellowYellow]

Completely echo Kate @Beanwood - you were there checking up on her and all is ok. Be kind to yourself. Well done for getting it sorted so quickly. Hugs to Ariel, obviously xxx

 

[Jen]

How awful for you both.

So glad everything is ok xx

 

[snowbunny]

Gosh, how utterly terrifying. You must have been panicked beyond words, you did amazingly. So glad there are no lasting effects from it. She'll recover far quicker than you will.