Viewer Viewpoint
And now, a few words from our viewers...

Chelsea was choking
by Danielle

Chelsea is a beautiful, eleven-year-old yellow Labrador. She has a bubbly personality, and is very social with other dogs. But last summer, she came close to losing her life.

It all started one morning when I woke up, looking for my step-mom. "Carrie?" I called. "Carrie?" No one answered, so I went out into the kitchen and to the garage. Her car was still there, so she had to be home. Maybe she was outside on the back porch? I went out into the sunlight where I was greeted by my other black Lab, Katie. She was wagging her tail and followed me as I walked to the backyard.

As I rounded the small bend to the porch, I saw Chelsea on the porch, tied up, but no Carrie. But I had to do a double take: Chelsea had her head down on the porch, and was shaking as if having a seizure. I thought maybe she had been bitten by a spider, or stung by a bee and had an allergic reaction to the venom. I panicked and ran into the house with my heart thudding.

"Carrie!" I kept yelling. Still no answer! I was going to call my dad at work, or the vet, but I didn't have time. So I ran back outside and took a closer look. Chelsea's four I.D. tags were caught in the porch. (We have a wooden porch with cracks between; they are skinny enough to drop a spoon or fork into.) This explained the wheezing. What made it worse, though, was she was wearing a choke-collar, and they get instantly tighter when pulled. I slipped my fingers under the collar...and how tight it was! My fingers were red after I pulled them out. Chelsea was still wheezing, and I was so scared she'd die from lack of oxygen.

I got down on my knees and pulled the chain that held the tags on. They didn't come out. "God, help me!" I prayed. The tags popped right out, and Chelsea jumped and jumped, as if she were smiling and thanking me.

I was so happy, yet so scared...this dog really is a miracle.

-Danielle

To the Viewer Viewpoint index

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in the Viewer Viewpoint
are not necessarily your Guide's views and opinions.

Back to Success Stories index

Submit your Success Story!

Have something to say? Post it on the board!

Previous Features - Check out other articles from your Guide

Veterinary Medicine Home Page - Main page for VetMed at About.com

Library of Topics - Browse the site library of topics