A good reason why you should NOT use a retractable leash...(kinda long)

[shannonmac]

Kneesaa went to visit her older boxer friends today while my boyfriend Ross and I went to a wedding, I didn't want to leaver her home alone all day.. so I asked our friends who have had boxers for the last 10 years to watch our baby while we were out of town... We dropped her off at their house... and proceeded to head to the wedding... over 2 hours away... 15 minutes later we get a phone call that there has been an accident... I guess our friend brought Kneesaa inside away from the big dogs, into the kitchen... he gave her a pigs ear to chew on and was talking to her so she would get used to the house... maybe 2 seconds after he did this...(all the while she was still wearing the retractable leash, because he had literally just brought her inside) she took off running! We think that she realized that her mommy and daddy were gone and she got scared and wanted to find us... we've never left her alone with other people before... well she ran through the house and into his screen door! By running into the door she made enough of a hole in it to get out! She went to barrel down the steps... but the leash got caught and she tumbled down the flight of stairs!!!! AFTER FALLING... she ran to the back of the house and hid under his shed... when he was able to get her out... he saw that she was limping!!! So he called up the vets.. luckily they are open on Saturdays... and brought her in to get an x-ray... he felt her leg and the vet felt her leg and said that she didn't think anything was wrong... however our friend insisted on the x-ray and when the vet did it she noticed that 3 of the 4 of her "toes" (i forgot the correct termonology.. please excuse me... it's been a long day) were fractured... so she put her in a splint and wrapped her entire leg... but because the fracture is on her toes... she has to literally stay off of her feet for 4 weeks!!! because... if she walks on it.... this will bend the toes and they won't heal correctly... and if they don't heal correctly she will have to have orthoepedic surgery! The vet said that had she not had that type of a leash she probably wouldn't have tripped the way she had and fallen the way she did... so I just wanted to warn everyone... b/c obviously we never saw this coming... so please wish Kneesaa luck... she's gonna have a tough month ahead of her... and she's only 3 months old!!! so no playing time for the next month... and she needs to be confined to a crate during the day when I'm not home... luckily we have arranged for Ross' mother to watch her during the day while we are at work... and his mother's house is closer to our work... so we can go on lunch breaks and check on her! My poor puppy had a very rough day today... thank goodness though, that a true boxer person was watching her and was thoughtful enough to bring her to the vet and insist on x-rays... he really saved my pups paw... and he feels absolutely awful about it too... but I told him it wasn't his fault... normally she is soooo calm and she has NEVER even run off before!!! She just got scared when her mommy wasn't there I guess...:( :( :(

 

[harley'smama]

Oh how sad. I'm glad she didn't run out into the road or anything. Hopefully the 4 weeks will go by fast because I'm sure it's going to be hard keeping her off her feet for so long.

 

[mygirlmollie]

Wow......what an ordeal for the poor baby.

I hope she recovers well, I have no idead how you are going to keep her off her feet for a month :eek:

goodluck!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I'm so sorry that your dog got hurt. My best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Thank you so much for posting this story. It is another very STRONG testimonial for reasons not to use retractable leashes. I have become a very strong advocate AGAINST retractables and I personally feel they are one of the most dangerous things you can do to your dog by using one.

Thanks for sharing your story. I know you must feel awful, as does your friend. But, thank goodness your baby wasn't hurt far more badly.

We're sending good healing vibes your way.

 

[Az Boxr Lovr]

Wow! It sounds like both you and your dog had a tough day. I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's injury. Please keep us posted on how things are going and thanks for the warning about the leash.

 

[Tanya]

I'm so sorry

I feel so bad for your baby and you of course! I think you are right about why this happened in the first place. I hope this time goes by fast. Thanks for telling us - I did use a retractible, but for a short time as I felt that I had absolutely ZERO control with this 40 pound bull of a boxer baby of ours whose only 18 weeks old.

Best of luck to you and, keep us posted on the progress!

-Tanya

 

[Eric J]

Man, I feel bad for all 3 parties in this. Give your pup an extra warm hug from me, and reassure the neighbor/friend again. Not there fault like you said.

 

[KC]

Poor baby!!! I wish you the best of luck keeping her still! I know what a challenge that can be! I can imagine how bad your friend must feel! Both of mine have had small accidents here and there over the years at other people's houses and they always feel so bad, but those things just sometimes happen and are almost never anyone's fault - thus the term "accident" - and my babies have always been sort of accident prone! :rolleyes: I feel bad for him, too, and hope he believes you that it wasn't his fault! He did a great job with the vet!

 

[buddy's_mom_29]

Ooohhh, poor Kneesaa:( Buddy sends some sloppy kisses. Good luck keeping her off her feet, and you sure are lucky you had such a great person watching her! Keep us posted!

 

[sandy oakey]

Poor girl:( I hope that Kneesaa will heal very quickly. Sounds like you had a very good person watching her though.