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This is a very interesting news story and worth taking the time to watch.
I recently had a heart-breaking update from one of our puppy owners. Their 9 month old puppy had shredded and ingested a rope toy. After 3 back-to-back surgeries, they lost him. Needless to say, after hearing about this, we came home and threw away every rope toy we owned. Our Goldens have always loved to play tug games and we’ve never had any problems with the rope toys, but the possibility of something like that happening is enough to take some preventative measures. In our research, we’ve found some safe alternatives. Kong Brand tug toys are safe and durable. As a matter of fact, Kong Brand toys are a great all-around choice but especially if you have a heavy chewer. Remember to periodically inspect and discard any toys that are showing wear. Once the toys begin to break down, they can become choking hazards.
Similar accounts come up when searching the internet about the dangers of rope toys:
(I will warn you that the following is graphic in nature and I only chose to share in hopes of getting across the seriousness of this issue. I don’t want another dog or their family to have to go through what this sweet family endured.)
“My dog just passed away during surgery due to swallowing strings from a rope toy. We did not know she had swallowed them as she often takes a toy and goes under the couch with it. By the time she started showing symptoms of something being wrong we took her to the emergency vet. They operated on her but too much damage had been done to her intestines. Are rope toys dangerous? They are if your dog gets them lodged. We have had rope toys for our dogs for the past 10 years never a problem until now. Am I willing to ever take the chance that this was just a freak accident and continue to give my other dog rope toys? No way! If I had known this before, they never would have had them. We now inspect all the toys and have tossed many of them away that look just the slightest off. Why take a chance with your beloved pet’s life?”
“Our dog died this morning from the nylon strings that he had eaten off the rope. He loved playing with the rope, but do NOT leave him alone with it! The string ran throughout his intestines and caused a "purse string" effect, drawing his intestines into a knot and tearing them up. After long hours of surgery trying to save him, he finally succumbed this morning. I hope others will read this and save their beloved pets from such a fate.”
"Those big brown eyes gazing at you with complete adoration. The cool, wet nose nudging bare feet in the early morning. That tireless wagging tail that symbolizes pure joy in your presence.
We know that dogs are dedicated companions that offer unquestioning attachment and acceptance. In the past several years, mounting scientific evidence suggests that they benefit us even beyond eager devotion. Numerous studies have shown that dogs -- one of the earliest domesticated animals -- can help lower blood pressure, ease the loneliness of the elderly in nursing homes, and help children overcome allergies.
Now there's new research from the University of Missouri-Columbia suggesting the hormonal changes that occur when humans and dogs interact could help people cope with depression and certain stress-related disorders. Preliminary results from a study show that a few minutes of stroking our pet dog prompts a release of a number of "feel good" hormones in humans, including serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin.
In addition, petting our pooches results in decreased levels of the primary stress hormone cortisol, the adrenal chemical responsible for regulating appetite and cravings for carbohydrates.
"The notion that serotonin increased with their own dog is a very powerful thing. Could a dog help mediate serotonin levels in order to help depressed patients?" asks Dr. Rebecca Johnson, a nursing professor and associate director at the Center for Animal Wellness, Missouri University College of Veterinary Medicine, who is heading the study with collaborator Richard Meadows.
Why does Spot make us feel better? Dog owners may not be surprised to hear about the emotional benefits of stroking a beloved pet, but for researchers like Johnson, it's important to understand why Spot makes us feel better.
Therapy dogs have been used to visit nursing homes, calm traumatized children and help ease pain in people undergoing physical rehabilitation, but the field of animal-assisted therapy is still in its infancy, Johnson says. Researchers are trying to determine which types of people would best benefit from being with pet animals and how often they need to interact with them to get results."
Article Credits:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4625213/ns/health-pet_health/t/puppy-love----its-better-you-think/#.VN6ulC4ZJTs
