November 16, 2010

I attended the DOGSAFE canine first aid Part 2 (with dogs)workshop in Victoria on Sunday with my dog Harley.  I really enjoyed the course and the chance to actually do hands-on things that we learned about in the spring in the DOGSAFE canine first aid Part 1 course.  The second class gave me a lot more confidence than just reading it in the book, and it was great experience. 

This evening I had an opportunity to put my new knowledge to use and I was so very glad that it was fresh in my mind. 

We have a new little Long Hair Chihuahua puppy, Dudley, who is just 12 weeks old (yes, we are crazy, we have three of them.)  Dudley eats every meal as if he is never going to be fed again and gobbles down his food just as fast as he can.  Tonight, all three dogs were in the kitchen eating dinner and I left to go into the living room to put a log on the fire.  When I returned a moment later, Dudley was lying on the floor with his little body bucking and his legs scrabbling in the air.  I initially thought that he was having a seizure, but then realized that he was choking.

I immediately grabbed him up by the back of his thighs and gave him a quick abdominal thrust (two fingers only – I had just practiced on the weekend!). Half his dinner shot out, and he immediately pounced on it to gobble it back down (you gotta love dogs!)

Anyways, he seems completely fine and none the worse for wear.  I  am so very happy that I was right there to help him and that thanks to the DOGSAFE course I knew exactly what to do.  The timing could not have been better.

So many thanks from both Dudley and me!

Lisa Durkin
DOGSAFE Graduate, November 14, 2010

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