It’s that time of year again. Every summer, usually mid-sizzle, I write an article about my first Frenchie, Marcel, and his accidental death in a swimming pool.
I really don’t need to say much beyond the basic fact of his death (at a barbecue with over ten people in attendance, poolside) to hammer home the point that dogs die in pools every day—even when people are watching, playing with them, enjoying themselves. Even a veterinarian’s dog can drown in a pool in a minute.
It’s been many years since Marcel drowned and by now I’m pretty sure that I will never forgive myself for not saving him, for putting him in harm’s way like that, for ignoring him when he needed me most.
Last week I received an email informing me of a website tribute to another drowned Frenchie. I don’t know the circumstances of this case but I can tell that Ndali was every bit as cherished as my Marcel.
Take this to heart, all of you with older pets, pets with limited vision, pets who don’t swim well, pets who suffer seizures, pets who can be confused by pool lights at night. Indeed, all pets run this risk. Make sure you know what your pet’s needs are in this regard and—please—see to them.
|
http://ndalimercer.com/
The Safety Turtle sounds an alarm when a pet falls in the pool: http://www.safetyturtle.com/
The Skamper-Ramp give animals a way out of the pool: http://www.skamper-ramp.com
I am sorry for your loss.
i am forever guilt ridden, our Ndali died on thanksgiving day, while 6 of us were eating dinner with one eye (we thought) on our dogs and one on our food. the situation was so much like Marcel's. we will forever be vigilant and use dog-vests if they are near any pool. and yes, the child gates are the best, but even then, one can be left ajar. so it's just best keep them away entirely. why take on the risk?
it's also IMPORTANT to realize that dry drownings can happen. about a month ago, our clinic saw a dog that had been dunking it's head under water, retrieving a ball (Cavalier king charles spaniel). after doing this repeatedly, the dog came in the house, vomited up water, and started acting "strange" - an hour later, it collapsed and died. it was a "dry drowning". we resuscitated her, but she succumbed 2 days later. drowning doesn't mean just falling in, it can also happen other ways - so vigilance is warranted any time a dog is in the water - even if they're a good swimmer!