Pets in Peril

Over 20 million animals pass or are lost in the Unitedsplendidly, and on those rare occasions where they
States each year. Many pass as a result of somehad a small confrontation over a rawhide or toy, it
tragic happenstance that befalls them. Pet people canusually was settled by the dominant one having her
remove many of the dangers that their pets face ifway.
they are willing to be proactive in their responsibilities.Returning home one day from shopping, we were
As the author of several pet loss books, I frequentlygreeted by a frantic neighbor who told us that these
receive letters and e-mail from people thanking metwo dogs had gotten into a real scrap while we were
for my work. Along with their kind and generousgone. Fortunately, we had made a way for the dogs
words, people often give me kudos that I do notto go outside into the fenced yard whenever nature
deserve. Somehow people feel the need to thankcalls and the incident took place in the yard. Had it
me for helping animals. The truth is I don't do ashappened in the house, it is doubtful my neighbor
much for our animal friends as people imagine. I dowould have been aware of it and the story might
help support scores of shelters by providing bookshave ended tragically different than it did.
for their fundraisers, making financial donations andHe told us that he immediately ran over to the fence
helping out in any other way that I am asked to, butand yelled for them to stop, but they would not
my work, my goal is to help the people that helplisten. He ultimately had to jump the fence and
animals.separate them because he was sure that the larger
Dogs and cats do not read my books. People do; anddog was going to kill the smaller one if they remained
many of them have a sad story to share. In the pasttogether. My initial thought was that he was
decade I have received no less than 5,000 suchexaggerating a bit, but when I saw the gashes and
stories. It is heart-wrenching to read of their lossescuts on the bloodied smaller dog, I knew there was a
and the grief they feel. I am so thankful to be ablereal problem.
to offer soothing words and advice and toAs a consequence of that episode, our home is now
correspond with them for as long as they feel theydivided in our absence, as is the yard. The two
need my assistance.problem "children" have separate doors that they can
They are not the only ones to benefit from ouruse to access and exit the yard. They can still be
communication however. I have acquired a wealth oftogether, but they are divided by a fence. That
knowledge from them; in particular on the dangersdoesn't stop the neighbor's dog from jumping over
that face our pets and how to avoid exposing theminto either side of the yard (which we are still
to those dangers. Most of what I have learned isworking on), but it keeps my two rascals from
common sense, but it would surprise you to knowmixing it up.
how many people are born without that commodity.My point is that while we need to guard against
I won't go into the sad details, but generally speaking,dangers, there is a limit to what we can anticipate
many people lose their beloved best friends throughand guard against. Sometimes even worry warts miss
circumstances that just did not have to be. Fromthings. Still, when we accept the responsibility of
swimming pools to open gates, to exposure to thecaring for an animal, we need to be vigilant and
elements, most "accidents", and therefore grief, canproactive in their care and safety. There are just so
be avoided.many potential dangers. With a little thought and
I have been affectionately labeled a "worry wart" byperhaps a little study on the internet, we can gain
those who know me simply because I try to thinkcritical knowledge that we can easily apply to our
ahead and imagine what dangers there might be forpet's environment to ensure their safety.
my pets when I am away from them. Admittedly, IFor instance, how many of us give tennis balls to our
do sometimes go a little overboard. For instance,dogs? They are fine for smaller dogs, but pose a real
when we are traveling and cannot take our pets withchoke hazard to larger dogs. Tennis balls are a
us, we have someone stay with them in our homedisaster waiting to happen, one that has happened
rather than boarding them at a kennel. It is morefar too many times. Swimming pools are another
expensive, but it comforts me to know that theyproblem. Fortunately for me, my dogs detest the
are in a safe environment that I created for them.water and won't go near it. Most dogs enjoy the
If that is not bad enough, I hand the person stayingwater, however, and an exposed swimming pool is
in our home a small book of rules and informationan open invitation to fun.
about the animals. I know that no one reads them,While you are at home and they are swimming with
but it eases my concern to know the information isyou, there is little danger. When you are gone
available to them should they need it. To my shame,however, if they purposely or accidentally enter the
there is still more to my confession. I also call mypool, they often cannot find their way out, if indeed
pet's babysitter several times each day to ensure mythere is one. You may not realize that when you are
buddies are okay.with them, YOU are their way out of the pool. When
I suppose the label of worry wart fits, so I will wearyou are gone, the whole dynamic changes.
it proudly. I would rather look silly erring on the sideI have had so many readers share their pool
of safety than to bury my head in my hands in grieftragedies with me, that I felt compelled to find a
for having overlooked a potential danger"Oversight" issolution and make it available to pet owners. I found
the word I want to emphasize. It is the one commona company who offers a flotation device that allows
denominator that I find present in each sad storydogs of any size to exit pools without assistance. I
that is shared with me. When tragedy comes thefeel that this is such an important product that I
catalyst is usually someone not perceiving that aadvise people about it for no compensation. I do not
danger existed. I am not blaming anyone. Indeed,make any profit from sales of this product. The only
there is no blame to assign. I am merely pointing outbenefit to me is the satisfaction of knowing that
that sometimes people are not aware that certainanother tragedy will be avoided when someone
conditions or situations might present a danger topurchases it and uses it.
their pets.There are so many dangers, too many to mention
Let me use myself as an example. I have threehere. So please do some research and educate
dogs, all rescued from shelters. Two of themyourself. It is important that we be vigilant. Those
sometimes have "discussions" because the smaller oftrusting faces depend upon us to look out for them.
the two is dominant and pushes the larger one (twiceIf there is a way for our cats and dogs (and other
her size) around. I was aware that there was someanimals) to get themselves into trouble, they will find
occasional squaring off, but these always amountedit. We need to find it first and eliminate it as a threat.
to nothing more than grumbling at each other with aBe a worry wart. It will pay big dividends.
low growl and icy stare. They usually got along