Okay, so, picture this: I’m chilling on the couch, watching some TV, and my dog, Buster, is happily gnawing on his favorite rope toy. Or so I thought.
Next thing I know, I hear this weird gulping sound. I look over, and the rope toy? GONE. Vanished. Buster’s just sitting there, looking all innocent with little bits of rope fiber around his mouth. My heart instantly dropped.
Panic Mode Activated
My first reaction? Pure panic. I mean, a whole rope toy? Down the hatch? I immediately started Googling like a madman, “dog ate rope toy,” “what to do if dog eats rope,” “dog intestinal blockage,” and let me tell you, the internet is a scary place when you’re in that state. Everything is worst-case scenario.
I decided, after my initial freak-out, to call the vet. It was after hours, of course, so I got the emergency line. The vet tech was super calm, which, honestly, helped me calm down a little too. She asked me a bunch of questions:
- How big was the toy?
- What’s it made of?
- Is Buster showing any signs of distress (vomiting, lethargy, etc.)?
- How big is Buster?
Buster’s a pretty big dog (a lab mix), and luckily, he was acting totally normal. The vet tech said, in general, to monitor to ensure passing, with a timeframe for passing.
The Waiting Game (and Poop Patrol)
So began the longest 48 hours of my life. Every walk was a scavenger hunt, shall we say. I was examining every single poop like it was a hidden treasure. Gross, I know, but I was desperate to see that rope reappear.
I also switched him to a bland diet – boiled chicken and rice – just to make things a little easier on his tummy. He was perfectly happy about that, of course. Spoiled pup.
The Great Escape (of the Rope Toy)
Finally, on the third day, there it was. Glorious, disgusting, shredded rope. It wasn’t pretty, but it was the most beautiful thing I’d seen all week. I’m not ashamed to admit I did a little happy dance right there in the backyard.
Buster, meanwhile, was completely oblivious to my relief. He just wanted to play fetch. Dogs, I tell ya.
So, the moral of the story? Keep a close eye on your furry friends and their toys. And maybe invest in some rope toys that are a little less… appetizing. I’ve definitely learned my lesson. I switched over to toys that are pretty near impossible to ingest, and am much more observant now.
