Hi LilyMarline,

First of all I would like to send you my condolences. That is a rough way to learn a lesson. I can't imagine how I would have handled that loss. I would like to say that I used to work at a vet. hospital for 4 1/2 years while I was going through school and I met a sweet old man sitting in the waiting room with his beautiful young yellow lab one afternoon. We began talking and I found out that this sweet mans' last lab was so special and spoiled, he bought her a big basket full of juicy things as a Christmas gift. In the basket was, of course, various types of rawhide in many different shapes/colors/flavors. He was just trying to do something nice for his canine friend but, trying to hold back tears, he told me that he watched his beautiful friend die in front of him. He could not get her to the vet fast enough. She died from choaking on his gift to her. Even tho he had this pretty new lab loyally devoted to him, it did not take away the pain and guilt. Yes rawhide is dangerous, yes dogs do choke on them and, if the dog is an agressive chewer, it should never be given to them. I will once in awhile give my dogs a rawhide but only because they are not agressive chewers at all. I bought a bubble gum scented rawhide bone 2 months ago and they have not touched it. I got sick of picking it up everytime I vaccumed so just threw it out yesterday. It's better in the trash anyway I am sure. After reading your post I won't buy them again. I buy the Booda Velvets and my dogs like those better anyway and they last forever! Reading your post brought back memories of that old man with his teary eyes and broken, guilt filled heart. I am so sorry that they don't list choking hazards on the packages of rawhides. I am so, so sorry for the people that have to learn that the hard way. I am sure there have been many broken hearts as a result of not knowing about choking. What a shame. Maybe someday they will have enough broken hearted owners "speak out" about rawhide.

So sorry for you loss. My heart goes out to you, and to all those who have such a painfull loss. Hopefully this post will start a new trend of "trashing the rawhide"!

[This message has been edited by AdoreMyDogs (edited October 04, 2000).]