Danger..... Florida!!!

[MyPeanut]

Please read......... I live in a wonderful state but to all those that do not know the dangers please understand. Tonight on the news, I saw this sad story about a woman that was out with her baby (the picture showed looked like a Yorker but was not confirmed) off the leash playing and running off the leash, in many places you would not think one would be needed. The little guy (or girl) was running ahead to a lake. Well the story says the next thing she knows is people telling her that her baby was gone. She did not understand what they were talking about but then they said a gator grabbed her dog.

This is something that really needs to be known, if your baby is going to be playing or near a lake. Gators are a dog’s enemy! There is study that gators study and watch dogs as easy prey for them to grab.

If you do not know, please here me NOW........... Do NOT no matter where you are, a deep ditch, small pond or a trail along a lake you need to know .......... there ARE Alligators, they walk along land from water to water!

I am so sorry for this poor family but most of all for the poor baby. There is so much that can hurt our little ones but in the South please be aware of the freshwater danger that can break your heart!

[spydergurl]

How sad for that poor baby! We used to live in Florida and didn't know about the alligators. We even went to a lake called Alligator Lake and didn't make the connection! How young and naive we were! We used to walk all around the lake, by the shore, and never knew the dangers that were lurking! We didn't have any yorkies, then, thank God! God watches over fools! LOL We never knew about the gators till we were long gone from Florida!

[For My Coby]

What a great warning. I've seen tv shows about the gators in the south. I've even heard that after flooding, the gators can have been relocated and found where they wouldn't be expected. What a horrible tragedy..... something so hard to get over.

[MyPeanut]

It is a horrible thought but not to know is worse. I thought after seeing this story, it needs to be made aware of for not only our area but also those that bring their babies. This state had many visitors and I am sure that those that want the sun and fun do not think of there are hidden dangers here.

I just know those dangers only because a friend lost a black lab while my family and theirs were camping. This story I just really felt at heart (living on a river) that I really needed to tell my friends that would not think of such of a danger.

[Kelz]

how sad!! this is why my parent's don't want to take my sister's yorkie to FL with them when they move!

[kwaymon]

YIKES! What a great warning! Thank you SOOO much for posting this. I am leaving for Florida tomorrow for a little over a week and I would have never thought of this.

[Myzzbrat]

Ya ok I'm never going to florida.. Another state crossed off my list of places to visit before i die.. LOL Now I gotta explain to my son why momma wont go to orlando..There's gators kiddo and they'll eat us and miss coco..

[yorkiesmiles]

we just spent a week at my parents in Sarasota in Dec. - I had to watch my 2 so incredibly close as in one corner from their yard is a large pond/lake - that has at least one alligator living in it, behind their house there is a small wooded area - my dad said they have seen/heard hawks & owls

then my mom calls me this weekend & tells me there was a bobcat in their yard!! Here I've been planning another trip back down there with my babies!! They will spend the whole time in the "cage" around the pool if they want to be "outside"

[mypreciouspups]

Thanks for this thread.. I will let hubby read this.. we have a pond in our backyard in the park we live at in the winter months... with a small deformed gator in it...we do have fencing for the dogs. and they only go out to do their business.. and back in again.. but I always feel uncomfortable...even when I am standing right there...I need to show him this as a reminder, I think an even stronger fencing could work better for me. or should I say would make me feel better... we have little space here..

I have already found the iron fencing I want to buy.. so I think I will just go and get it.. get it up...thanks

[Mizzrosa]

omg that is horrible i wouldnt even know what to do...thanks for the thread...when we go to fl i will make sure she does not go near lakes

[daisy mae06]

Oh how Horrible!!! I grew up there and I know to well that they are capable of doing this.
My Gramma has two Yorkies and she lives on a lake. she has Two fences blocking her two from the lake Even so she always goes out and checks before the dogs get to go out. All this and she will tell you The people do there best to Keep the Gators out of her small lake.
But they do get in it now and then.
She once had one in her Pool.
Talk about scary!

[BuggieMom]

My family moved from Ohio to Florida when I was 14 years old. We lived on Lake Dora, and were only there for about two years when our beloved cockapoo was eaten by a gator. She was standing on the end of our dock and the gator came right up out of the lake, went up the two steps to the dock itself, and drove her into the lake (she had nowhere else to go). The gator slid into the water after her and we never saw her again.

It's ironic that Florida is such a dog friendly place when it comes to the lemon laws and such, but such a hostile natural environment for them. Between the heat, fleas, fungus, and gators, it's hard to keep a dog healthy, happy and alive in Florida...and it's even harder on horses, but I won't go into that here.

Three cheers to any of you who live there and manage to keep your babies healthy and comfy! It's much harder work down there (IMHO).

[Sophie12]

My little Ally will be swimming in our neighbor's pool. I don't want her to go in the water without a life jacket. Can someone tell me please a good place I can buy one on line? She weighs about 3 pounds. Thanks

[kwaymon]

I just got back from Florida! I'm happy to say that we are all safe and happy. Again, thank you so much for this thread. I was extremely cautious of even the smallest ponds, something I just don't think I would have thought of.

[jrincon17]

Originally Posted by mypreciouspups

Thanks for this thread.. I will let hubby read this.. we have a pond in our backyard in the park we live at in the winter months... with a small deformed gator in it...we do have fencing for the dogs. and they only go out to do their business.. and back in again.. but I always feel uncomfortable...even when I am standing right there...I need to show him this as a reminder, I think an even stronger fencing could work better for me. or should I say would make me feel better... we have little space here..

I have already found the iron fencing I want to buy.. so I think I will just go and get it.. get it up...thanks

deformed gator, what is wrong with it?