[valerieam]

I had heard stories of dogs choking on raw hide bones, but didn't think my dog was in danger because I throw them away when they start to get small. I learned my lesson last night. I was asleep and heard Pippin making a funny sound. I called him over and he had a rawhide bone about the size of a golf ball in his mouth. I went to take it away so he'd quit chewing and go to sleep. Well, when I pulled it out more kept coming. The end of the bone had unraveled and still attached was a piece about 5 inches long that had been down his throat. You know how they swell up when they are wet. If I hadn't taken it out he would have suffocated. It taught me a lesson. I got up and threw away any rawhide bones in the house. I can't believe how close I came to losing my precious baby. After that experience I don't know why they even make them. Please protect your babies and don't give them any rawhide bones, no matter how big they are.