Close Call

[GoodTimes]

This happened to us just this month and I thought it was worth sharing in hopes no one ever has this scare:

DH and I went camping alone with our dog (our kids were at Grandmas) and we always bring a long lead that we attach him to a stake that's in the ground. When we arrived and set up camp, we noticed that there were more critters here than in previous parks. There were raccoons that came right up to the camper and squirrels that we could have probably reached out and touched. We noted this and said we'd have to keep a close eye on the dog because he'll go after ANYTHING.

The next day we were making lunch and DH put the dog outside on his lead and came back in to get the sandwiches. I literally turned around to look out the window and NO DOG. The lead that was attached to the stake was gone along with the dog. We both jumped on our bikes and went all over the park telling all campers that our little white dog was missing. If you're familiar with Westies, then you know they're FEARLESS and STUBBORN. That means they'll run after anything and don't listen when called (at least this one doesn't!) After nearly an hour, I came back to the camper and was going to jump in the truck. I saw my DH coming back to the camper WITH THE DOG - what a relief. He had been found by a neighbor camper who thought a racoon had come to riffle thru his stuff - only to find that it was our little dog hooked onto one of his tires.

The coated wire lead that we had him on broke at the clasp attached to the stake - so the dog was running with a 10ft lead attached to his harness. When he ran under this trailer, the coated wire lead 'stuck' to the tires and stopped him. If that lead had broken at the clasp attached to his harness, we never would have seen him again. Bottom line: we were LUCKY. Come to find out, the clasp was made of cast aluminum. It simply broke in half. When we got home, I went out and bought another coated wire lead that is rated for a 200lb dog. Overkill? Probably. But the clasps are made out of STEEL - no more aluminum for us. And we'll NEVER turn our backs on him again - it's not worth the risk.

So check your leads and components. Ours had been rated for a 50lb dog (he's only 14lbs) but apparently he took off at a fast run and it broke apart. The new one is about the thickness of my thumb - won't have a problem with this one.

[Wicked Whippets]

Thanks for sharing. That could have been tragic!

We carry exercise pens that have wire tops (so they can't jump out) and still worry that the dogs will find a way out.

[Doggy Daddy]

This a another reason to ensure your pet has a microchip and an ID tag with your cell numbers and e-mail address affixed to his collar or harness.

[GoodTimes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggy Daddy This a another reason to ensure your pet has a microchip and an ID tag with your cell numbers and e-mail address affixed to his collar or harness.

We have all that but I forgot to mention that this State Park was 5000 acres! He could have EASILY gotten lost in the wilderness before anyone saw him. Again, WE WERE LUCKY. From here on out, he'll be treated like a toddler - NEVER OUT OF SIGHT!

[Jack R]

good times

we have a stubborn westie also. brought a baby possum to the door wanted us to approve of his kill. Ours like to bite your pant leg. just over a year old and is stating to listen once in a while. when he wants out he will go and bang the door to the garage. we than let him out. he like to sit with my wife in her recliner. the other night he banged on the door to the garage, my wife got up to let the dog out, he jump in the reclliner and started to go asleep. gotta love these westies

[TXiceman]

We have had miniature schnauzers for almost 40 years and they will chase anything that moves and are very strong and very determined. I would never tie one of them out and leave them. Things can happen so fast and in the parks you have no control over what other animals do.

I am so glad that your dog is O.K.

Ken

[Wayne M]

I never leave our dog outside unattended, except, to walk in pick up the steaks to put on the grill and walk directly back out.

Besides, most CG stipulate "not to be left unattended."

I do believe in the chip and name and phone number on a tag. Our dog has both.

Glad you found him and he is safe.

[Elkhartjim]

Thanks for the reminder.

I've always been curious about the "leash laws" in cg's Wayne. It usually says the animal must be on a (6') leash. Rarely will it say "somebody needs to be holding the other end". Probably wouldn't hold up in court but it would be fun.

Again, we all need those reminders occasionally.

[wingnut60]

But a lot of the CGs also say "no unattended pets" and that includes leaving them in the camper while gone. No problem unless they are dogs and bark. We take ours most places we go, and that limits some of our side trips.

[Lynnvt]

[QUOTE=Wayne M;537176]I never leave our dog outside unattended, except, to walk in pick up the steaks to put on the grill and walk directly back out.

That seems to have been the case here. The man went into the camper to get the sandwiches.

[Explorer2]

That had to be pretty terrifying for you…..5000 acres! I have a small pen that I will put out side for the pups to hang out in when we sit outside. Like you said they are like toddlers, you can’t let them out of your site.

[RickO]

Wow. I'm so glad you got your little guy back so quickly. We travel with our two Westies and a Sheltie. Peanut, our 13 year old Westie is the queen and Lola is the kid... having just turned two. She's just now starting to listen every once in a while but we couldn't be without them.

[GoodTimes]

I have to take my hat off to all of you that have more than one pet. I can't quite imagine having to look after TWO! Our one Westie is more than a handful. We camped over Labor Day weekend at the SAME park and the SAME spot that we almost lost him. A good note to my story here, the larger/stronger coated wire lead that I bought for him WORKED beautifully. It has a handle on a long 'screw' that goes in the ground. The connections to the post are THICK steel and all of this gave us added comfort and security that he wasn't going to be able to break away again. But we never left him unattended - which we admit, we never should have done to begin with - (even though it was less than a minute). We tell everyone we meet about our story......just in case it helps someone else. With these little fur babies, you never can be too carefull!!