See this lovely stick? It's a nice one, right?
Smooth sides, just the right size for throwing. Great for playing fetch with your favorite canine.
I'll sell it to you for the same price I got it...
$𝟰𝟵𝟭.𝟳𝟱
That was the vet bill after this nefarious Stick-in-Disguise-as-a-Fun-Dog-Toy tried to impale my dog Indie's throat when she caught it at the park.
The Death Dart ricocheted off the ground and went right into Indie's big yap, aiming to exit through the back of her neck.
Luckily, the Stickinator didn't succeed.
Though it didn't complete its malicious mission, yesterday's emergency drop-off and subsequent all-day stay at our veterinarian's office proved that the Wooden Weapon left a small tear in Indie's throat. She'll heal on her own, thank goodness, and our vet said we're lucky the Sinister Stick didn't slice Indie's trachea or vocal cords-- both of which she's seen in her practice several times. 😳
I kicked myself because I'd heard not to throw sticks for dogs, but whatever. I ignorantly ignored the warnings. Never again. As if I needed more proof, a quick Google search of "Is it okay to throw a stick for my dog" yielded 58 million results, the first few pages filled with emphatic NOs (all within .64 seconds).
I kicked myself again because I'd also been meaning to buy pet insurance. Whatever. Now my desk is covered with pamphlets from different providers.
Indie is feeling a bit better today. Poor baby, I can tell she's still in pain, and her energy is not near her manic Belgian Malinois standard. Still, she seems somewhat comforted by the pain med, soft food, and extra attention. ❤️
Now that I've learned my lesson, I'm hoping other dog owners can learn from my mistake.
Stay safe out there. Buy rubber or plastic stick toys or soft frisbees if you have a dog who loves to fetch. Consider pet insurance, too.
And don't be fooled by seemingly innocent sticks. I know a big beach bonfire this one will be joining tonight. 🔥🔥