I am still pretty shaken up with what just happened about 30 minutes ago. Remi almost died tonight. Everyone is okay now, but I really feel like I should spread the word about this to anyone still using bully sticks. If you're still using them, you may want to stop. Like now.
Many of you have vocalized warnings to me about these bully sticks. I have ignored advice to stop using them (honestly, they have gotten me through A LOT), but did take most warnings into consideration despite a) I thought you were all being overprotective bully moms and b) he's constantly in my supervision. I never gave them to him while he was crated or any time I could not supervise him. I work from home and Remi is constantly in my presence, or he's in the crate. Sometimes I will let him up stairs for 1.5 minutes while I make a cup of coffee, but otherwise, he's attached at the hip at 5 months.
But something serious just went down!!!!!!!!!! Right in front of my face :crying:
Every now and again, while I'm working, I will make sure he isn't chewing up my desk or getting into wires, or doing anything he shouldn't be. I was aware he was enjoying a bully stick, but when I heard him chewing and I couldn't see the end of the bully stick, I got concerned. I got up to check it out.
When he started to run from me as if he did something wrong, I knew something was up. I held him and reached up into his mouth to find what he was chewing on. For the first few seconds, I found nothing. I shoved my whole fist in... If he had swallowed another inch of this stick, I wouldn't have been able to pull it out of his throat.
Remi swallowed this entire 1 foot bully stick: :crying:
There were no choking sounds. There were no signs that he needed help. He looked like he always did. If I had not been paying attention at this exact moment, Remi seriously would have died.
The reason I let it get to this point: I thought the danger was actually pieces breaking off and choking my pup, which seemed way more likely than what transpired tonight. I've always kept the bully sticks trim so that couldn't happen - never in my life did I think he could kill himself on a fresh bully stick. And the fact they were on the market at all, they had to be safe, right?? No!
So, I hope this story converts anyone as stubborn as me. If your dog likes to eat anything and everything, sometimes makes gagging noises while chewing on toys - and bites off literally more than they can chew, bully sticks are not for your pup. Learn from this story, and don't chance it!!!
I do want to take this time to thank all of you who warned me about bully sticks. (You know who you are!!) If it weren't for you, I would not have been aware of the dangers/risks, and Remi may not still be here with us. LOVE YOU GUYS!
Many of you have vocalized warnings to me about these bully sticks. I have ignored advice to stop using them (honestly, they have gotten me through A LOT), but did take most warnings into consideration despite a) I thought you were all being overprotective bully moms and b) he's constantly in my supervision. I never gave them to him while he was crated or any time I could not supervise him. I work from home and Remi is constantly in my presence, or he's in the crate. Sometimes I will let him up stairs for 1.5 minutes while I make a cup of coffee, but otherwise, he's attached at the hip at 5 months.
But something serious just went down!!!!!!!!!! Right in front of my face :crying:
Every now and again, while I'm working, I will make sure he isn't chewing up my desk or getting into wires, or doing anything he shouldn't be. I was aware he was enjoying a bully stick, but when I heard him chewing and I couldn't see the end of the bully stick, I got concerned. I got up to check it out.
When he started to run from me as if he did something wrong, I knew something was up. I held him and reached up into his mouth to find what he was chewing on. For the first few seconds, I found nothing. I shoved my whole fist in... If he had swallowed another inch of this stick, I wouldn't have been able to pull it out of his throat.
Remi swallowed this entire 1 foot bully stick: :crying:
There were no choking sounds. There were no signs that he needed help. He looked like he always did. If I had not been paying attention at this exact moment, Remi seriously would have died.
The reason I let it get to this point: I thought the danger was actually pieces breaking off and choking my pup, which seemed way more likely than what transpired tonight. I've always kept the bully sticks trim so that couldn't happen - never in my life did I think he could kill himself on a fresh bully stick. And the fact they were on the market at all, they had to be safe, right?? No!
So, I hope this story converts anyone as stubborn as me. If your dog likes to eat anything and everything, sometimes makes gagging noises while chewing on toys - and bites off literally more than they can chew, bully sticks are not for your pup. Learn from this story, and don't chance it!!!
I do want to take this time to thank all of you who warned me about bully sticks. (You know who you are!!) If it weren't for you, I would not have been aware of the dangers/risks, and Remi may not still be here with us. LOVE YOU GUYS!
Thank Goodness you were paying attention! Yes..we do nag and preach about a lot of things..and Bully sticks are top of the list! Thank you for posting this. You just might save ANOTHER bully's life! 
but most times it is for a good reason 
