rattytatty
Training Moderator
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| 05/18/2008 6:00 PM |
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I'm home from the agility trial...and Bailey was very successful with two second places and one first place. I'm proud of my little man, but his successes are overshadowed by a tragedy which occurred on Saturday night and I (as well as our entire agility 'community') am still very very shocked and saddened.
PLEASE read and pay attention...
I have a friend who has trained hard for the past year and a half with her gorgeous, blue-eyed, australian shepherd named Ellie. She's a widow (hubby passed away 10 years ago) and this was her first trial with her first agility dog, although she has three aussies. We went to out to eat Saturday night... she left all her aussies uncrated in her hotel room. When she returned... Ellie (her agility dog.. 2-1/2 years of age) was laying on the floor with her head in an empty bag of pretzels Sally had left open on the dresser. The pretzels were gone... Ellie was dead.... she had suffocated.
We brought her and Ellie home (2 hour drive one way) Saturday night .. to the ER vet clinic in Brentwood TN... we called ahead and they were expecting us... to take the dog and make arrangements for cremation. We returned to the agility trial at 2:00 a.m. Sunday and I had to be in the ring at 7:00 a.m....so I am exhausted and will catch up on posts later. I'm going to crash...
Realizing of course that accidents can happen and do happen.... but PLEASE PLEASE be careful what you leave around if your dogs are left alone uncrated. I never leave Bailey alone in a hotel room. I take him with me and leave him in the car if I go out to eat. And if it's too hot for him to be in the car... I grab a sandwich and return to the hotel room to eat.
Sally honestly didn't know better. She said they are "fine when left alone at home in the house together"....
This has been a terribly sad weekend for many...
Please... be careful. |
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~Nora~
Mom to Hoss, Lil'Bit, Buster & Bailey, CGC, NA, NAJ |
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Baileydukedavis
Terrier Terror
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| 05/18/2008 6:05 PM |
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| OMG that is awful! I leave Bailey running free at home and when we go out of town in a hotel. I will pay close attention to the things I have laying around. I am very sorry for her lose. Thanks for the advice! |
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"If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either." - Unknown
Bailey Duke Tazman Davis, Sydney Grace Davis, Chance Tazman Davis and Gracie Mae Davis |
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michelle_custer
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/18/2008 6:08 PM |
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| so sorry to hear about Ellie.... makes you think twice about what you leave around |
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Id rather have my rattie then any other dog
Mom to Domino and Daisey May
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michelle
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/18/2008 6:10 PM |
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That is so sad. |
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michelle, mom to Sydney (JRT), Sonic (Rattie) and Proud mom to Army son, Jordan
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rattytatty
Training Moderator
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| 05/18/2008 6:10 PM |
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It was a wake up call for many of us... myself included, although I never leave Bailey alone uncrated after the banana incident many months ago.
I just felt it would be a good idea to post about this tragedy ... being more aware may save your dog's life... |
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~Nora~
Mom to Hoss, Lil'Bit, Buster & Bailey, CGC, NA, NAJ |
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Bailey's mom
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/18/2008 6:12 PM |
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| That is so tragic, you would never think something like that would happen. So sorry for your friends loss. |
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~Nancy~
aka Bailey's Mom |
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 05/18/2008 6:14 PM |
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| Nora, I am so, so sorry for the loss of your friend's dog. So sad. Get some rest, you must be worn out. |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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treble02
Pack Leader
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| 05/18/2008 6:17 PM |
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OMG...so sorry Nora that was a part of your weekend. How sad...your friend will be in my thoughts for sure...what a wake up call! WOW! Trixi was trying to stuff her head in a bag of doritos just this afternoon....luckily I was holding them!  ((HUGS))
ps. Congrats to you and Bailey |
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~ Mary, Trixi and Toa's Mommy
Ratbone Rescues Foster Mommy
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vccarmi
Ratastic
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| 05/18/2008 6:36 PM |
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First, I am sorry for the loss of your friend's dog.
We forget how smart they are and how good their nose functions. I was raised with chihuahuas and so accustomed to the 'reach" of a small dog that in a previous job my boss sent me to Mcdonald's to pick up lunch for the crew and when I returned I quickly put it on her desk (in the back) because there were customers waiting on the sales floor. Eventually when things settled down eveyrone went back for their food and we were met with a surprise. You see, they brought their Irish Setter to work everyday and I didn't even think that she could get into lunch since my dogs could only dream of that. She ate everything. I don't recall her getting sick but she sure had a lot of sodium and fat for one sitting. Vickie |
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Vickie
Check out my Daisey's block on the Ratbone Raffle Quilt! |
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Erinj09
Ratastic
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| 05/18/2008 6:46 PM |
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that is so horrible, i wouldnt know what to do in a situation like that, i would be so mortified. now people with have second thoghts of leaving their dogs un attended. i cant imagine how a dog could suffocate like that though. i could imagine the dog pulling the bag off their head with their paws. atleast she has friends like you nora to help her through times like these
~Erin |
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LadyLes
Terrier Terror
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| 05/18/2008 6:49 PM |
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| Oh my goodness, how sad for your friend. I will keep her in my prayers as I know this must be difficult. |
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There is nothing better than wine and chocolate!
~Ashley~ |
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winnihoohoo
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/18/2008 6:51 PM |
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| Omg, that is so sad! I know she feels very guilty. I wish she could have gotten the bag off her head. That is what scares me about small balls, that they are going to get one in their throat and choke. Give her my condolences... |
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kp_in_scott
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/18/2008 7:28 PM |
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| Very very scary thought. Especially with a dog that tends to get into things. We crate Amos when we leave him. It hasn't been for his safety, but for the safety of our belongings. Obviously now I look at it in a different light. So sad. |
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Kim, owned by one sweet Rattie and a house full of parrots |
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Brandy
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 05/18/2008 7:52 PM |
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| I am so sorry Nora!! Please tell her she is in our prayers! I can't imagine....like Kim I crate Max, but it has been more for the safety of my Jeans, than his own....NOW I feel like it might work in both directions! I hope that this does not deter her from doing agility with one of her other pups. Just like with a person, when it's a pet's time to go, it's just that...their time to go. Nothing she could have done or would have done, would have changed the outcome. PLEASE give her big hugs from my family...both skin and fur! |
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PROUD Home Visit Coordinator for Ratbone's Rescue!!
This is Pirate Country, we bleed Purple and Gold!!!!!
GO ECU!!! |
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Lazerquest
Rat Royalty
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| 05/18/2008 8:51 PM |
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What a horrible thing to have happen. It is really so sad that such a thing has to happen to make the rest of us aware of what to and not to do. I have to keep a close eye on my female rottie, she is into everything (I crate her when we are out). I leave only 2 dogs loose in the house, Lazer and Moko, both just sleep on the couch or my bed, whichever they feel the most comfortable in at the moment. I will be much more aware of what is lying around the house.
Congratulations to you and Bailey for such a successful weekend and you being under such stress and sorrow to.
Hugs to you and Bailey and your friend to. |
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Pat MacKenzie
London, Ontario Canada
Fostermom
Rat Terrier Rescue Canada, Ratbone Rescue |
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Lazerquest
Rat Royalty
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| 05/18/2008 8:53 PM |
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| Nora, do you mind if post this on our agility chat site. As with you we have a lot of trials starting up, including our regionals next weekend. If might not hurt to have a reminder to be more aware of what our dogs just might get into |
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Pat MacKenzie
London, Ontario Canada
Fostermom
Rat Terrier Rescue Canada, Ratbone Rescue |
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rattytatty
Training Moderator
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| 05/18/2008 9:03 PM |
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Pat... not sure which chat site you are referring to, but feel free to do so.
I posted it on the ActionRats yahoo site I belong to.... did that when I got home. I talked to Sally awhile ago. She is still, of course, just devastated and feeling very much to blame over what happened. She'll be ok after some time passes... but it's a situation we should indeed all take heed to!
Good luck with your trials!! |
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~Nora~
Mom to Hoss, Lil'Bit, Buster & Bailey, CGC, NA, NAJ |
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gwacie
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/18/2008 9:09 PM |
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| Oh Nora, how very very sad. My heart aches for your friend Sally. |
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gwacie (Bethany)
http://www.myadams.net/dogs/ |
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Lazerquest
Rat Royalty
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| 05/18/2008 9:11 PM |
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| Thanks Nora and will do |
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Pat MacKenzie
London, Ontario Canada
Fostermom
Rat Terrier Rescue Canada, Ratbone Rescue |
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Lazerquest
Rat Royalty
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| 05/18/2008 9:15 PM |
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| It is a group "Agilcan" up here in Canada. |
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Pat MacKenzie
London, Ontario Canada
Fostermom
Rat Terrier Rescue Canada, Ratbone Rescue |
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Mitzy's Mom
Alpha Feist
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| 05/19/2008 10:38 AM |
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| How horrible! I wonder why she couldn't get it off her head? I'm a fanatic about not leaving things lay around the house and I would NEVER leave mine alone and uncrated in a hotel room. I hadn't thought about them suffocating though, my concern would be hotel staff letting them escape or them getting into something else that could hurt them in a strange environment. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com; www.newrattitude.org |
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alice4512
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/19/2008 11:04 AM |
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Oh Nora, how tragic is that?? I am now doing a mental scan of the house in my head to make sure there are no chip bags. It is so scary, I am so sorry for her and I hope time will ease her pain. |
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The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too
~Mom to my good boy Fred and my crazy girl Alice~ |
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Sassy'sMama
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 05/19/2008 11:11 AM |
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| omg how horrible and what a wake up call for everyone.. |
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~~Jan~~
Mama to Sassy
Religion is for people afraid of going to hell,
Spirituality is for people who have already been there. |
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rebelredneck71
Rat Royalty
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| 05/19/2008 11:12 AM |
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first thing tell your freind she is our thoughts and prayers, and it's a very aweful thing to have happened.
second congrats to you and Bailey on your wins.
must be hard to be excited about your wins then find this out later. |
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Life is like a jar of Jalapenos what do you today could burn your butt tomorrow.
A.D.
daddy to 3 skin kiddos, and a dad to 3 fur kiddos
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Paul
Feisty
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| 05/19/2008 12:25 PM |
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| I am feeling so sad for your friend right now. What a tragic accident. I'm sure she had no worries and never ever thought that anything could happen. |
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"Train now, or forever hold your leash"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doberdad/ |
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Daxter
Obsessed
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| 05/19/2008 12:30 PM |
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Nora, that so sad. So sorry about what happened to Elie, your friend must be devastated.
Thanks for sharing the story and make us realize how important it is to keep our dog safe when we are away and crate them.
Congratulations to you and Bailey! |
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Monica & Daxter |
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PamWh
Attention Starved
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| 05/19/2008 12:35 PM |
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| I'm sure she is just devastated. Do they think maybe Ellie choked on a pretzel besides just not being able to breath with the bag on her head? |
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PamWh
aka Bob's Mom
If your rattie ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! |
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Maureen
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 05/19/2008 1:24 PM |
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| Nora how very very sad. We take a lot for granted, and guess this is a wakeup call. Am so sorry. |
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Maureen Mom to Abby, Barkley and Reggie..and cat Sarah Jane
Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job. ~Franklin P. Jones
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erniebenernie
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/19/2008 1:46 PM |
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| This is such a sad event. I'm sure she never thought this could happen. Please give her our deepest regrets. |
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Vicki
~*~I'd rather own an inch of a rat terrier then a mile of a pedigree~*~
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