I am the worst dog owner ever.. *big scare*

[wcladymacbeth]

Guys.. before you yell at me, I've learned my lesson, and I am totally completely utterly shaken up and bawling.

I had a tie-out for Maggie.. it was tied to the porch railing, and it was pretty long and let her explore most of the yard. I usually only ever used it when we were outside with her. But today I ... tied her out and... sort of ignored her for a little while. She seemed to be entertaining herself just fine.

Well, after a while, I went to check on her... I opened the door and called her name and she didn't come. And then. I saw the leash hanging over the top of the porch railing. and. oh my god. I was so scared. I couldn't think. I went to the other side and - she was gone. She had on a breakaway collar.. that just yesterday I was saying I didn't like... that it was pointless.... but oh my god.

hyperventilating.

deep breath.

I don't even know how she did it. or why. but if she didn't have on a breakaway collar she would have hung. oh god.

But I went inside to put on my shoes because I was barefoot, and I opened the front door and there she was. oh god I have never hugged a dog so hard.... or cried so hard... or prayed so hard thanking god for that dang breakaway collar.

I don't deserve to have a dog. how could i have been so stupid.

 

[Zoom]

:yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

 

[cinmo7]

Lesson learned all ended well. Hugs to you & Maggie

 

[drmom777]

Goes to show.... someone was looking over your shoulder when you got that collar.

((((HUGS))))

All's well that ends well.

 

[milos_mommy]

The important thing here is:



She had a breakaway collar on. And nothing bad happened. And you learned your lesson.



((hugs)) for you and Maggie...that must have been scary.

 

[bubbatd]

Sooooooooooooo glad it was a happy ending !! Just thank your lucky stars !!!

 

[Toller_08]

I'm so glad Maggie is ok! (((hugs)))

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

I'm glad she is OK.
(((((hugs)))))

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Thank God for happy ending. Lesson learned. ((HUGS))

 

[Juicy]

glad she's safe

 

[cinnamon]

She's safe and that's all that matters. Now you know better, so go have a cup of tea and some cheesecake and you'll feel better tomorrow

 

[maybe532]

I had a dog named Fred (a pit bull mix) when I was in high school and we had a tie out for when we were sitting on the front porch. Well, one Christmas Eve I was doing some last minute shopping when my mother called with some bad news, Fred had chewed through the tie out and had gotten hit by a car. I raced home as fast as I could and when I pulled onto my street he was just lying there. When he saw me get out of the car he lifted his head and crawled over to me. I was so upset that my grandmother had to drive me and Fred to the doggie ER. By the time we got there the silly dog was completely fine, just a few minor cuts but I'm sure he was sore the next morning. He checked out just fine at the vet (just in case) but believe me that was the last time I used a tie out on him. He was the best dog I ever had, RIP. He saved my dad's life one afternoon not very long after he got hit by the car. My dad put some food on the stove and accidentally fell asleep waiting for it it get cooked (he worked the graveyard shift). The whole house filled with smoke and my dad didn't wake up until Fred made him by barking at him, pawing at him, and licking his face. My dad said he could barely see, it was that smoky. Our house smelled like scorched food for weeks but that was fine by us.
I also say lesson learned, fortunately with no doggy harmed.

 

[mrose_s]

sometimes it takes something to shake us up and make us re-think things.
She's safe and I bet your glad you got the breakaway collar now.


I remember only a couple of weeks after we removed all our guys collars, I came home one day. Mac was in teh garage. I woudl usually hear her banging on the door as soon as I got home, she wasn't banging, I opened the garage door and tehre she was on the other side of the garage. No collar on to keep her safe but the hem had ripped on one of the dog blankets and she'd got it hung around her neck, it was very loose but the blanket was too heavy for her to drag it around or anything, all she had to do was roll around a bit and it couldve got very tight very fast.
Sometimes we don't even think of hazards until soemthign happens.

On the other hand, good girl Maggie for just going to the door and waiting

 

[sparks19]

Don't blame yourself. I know it is easier said than done. TRUST me I know. I am still coming to terms with the fact that Teddy's death was not my fault but it is so hard.

I know the panic you feel and it is horrible. BUT don't beat yourself up too much. Baby is home and in good hands again. I am so glad she's safe and sound.

 

[Paige]

Lesson learned. The dog is safe and that's all that matters.

(hugs)

 

[wcladymacbeth]

thanks guys. I had such nightmares last night. I dreamed she was wearing a choke collar and that happened :yikes: Thankfully Maggie was right there and I could reach out and pet her all night.

I'm going to get her another breakaway collar today.

 

[Dizzy]

Would a harness not work? No chance of strangulation then?

The only time I have ever tied Bo out is when I'm camping, and I'm sat right there next to her....

 

[Chewbecca]

aw!!! I'm glad that Maggie is ok, and don't be so hard on yourself! Besides, you were the one that got her the break away collar that saved her life. Sometimes things happen that are out of our control at that moment. Things happen. It doesn't do any good to blame yourself. Besides, she's fine.

Would a harness not work? No chance of strangulation then?

The only time I have ever tied Bo out is when I'm camping, and I'm sat right there next to her....

This is what we do for Ella. We don't ever tie her out without one of us there, but while Ben was fencing in the yard, he'd take her out in the yard with him and tie her to the tree via 3 leashes connected to each other to her harness. She cannot back out of her harness and she cannot get strangled.

 

[mjb]

A scary way to learn something, but now you know she can jump off the porch from that tie-out. That's very important information to know! I'm glad you found out AND that no one is hurt.

 

[SarahFair]

I am glad shes ok!
Thank you for sharing also!
I dont think people should be afraid to post of mistakes that they have made so OTHERS can LEARN from it!