July 2, 2009

I took your course last summer since I do lots of backcountry camping/hiking with my Akbash dog, Benek.

Thankfully nothing major has happened, but today I used my DOGSAFE canine first aid skills, albeit it was a minor thing compared to the big injuries on your "real stories" webpage.

Benek came into the house today, shook and there was blood everywhere. I ushered him outside, had a look and saw he had a cut on the inside flap of his ear. He must have snagged it on something and it was just dripping blood!

I went inside to get a cloth, a bowl of water and my canine first aid supplies. Man, do ears ever bleed alot! He looked like he killed something with blood all over his head, neck, shoulder and his feet looked like they were dipped in blood. I found the slash and pulled out the bandages realising that a floppy ear is NOT easy to deal with. I thought I had to be approaching it wrong and went running around the house trying to find my DOGSAFE course manual. (NOTE to self, KEEP DOGSAFE FIRST AID BOOK IN AN OBVIOUS PLACE!). Anyway, my memory was correct and I was doing it right. Attempt #1 failed since he shook the bandage off but bandaging attempt #2 worked and he is at my feet where I can keep my eye on him.

The best bandage to use probably would have been that self-stick red bandages you sell. I recently bought a 4x4 camper and there was some similar bandages the camper first aid kit. And speaking of having two first aid kits, it may be wise to have a second first aid manual as well (for my camper)... can I buy an extra?