Merlin is a lovely boy, but big and rather clumsy. Yesterday he and I were out walking with a neighbour and her nice Appenzeller dog. Merlin and the other dog were playing, chasing up and down the path. He came barreling towards us; my neighbour took a step to the side to get out of his way; he misjudged the distance between her and the edge of the path and crashed into the back of her knees, knocking her over. She fell right onto her back, poor woman, banged her head on the ground, skinned her elbows and bruised her wrist. It was awful. She was obviously shaken and her very nice clothes were covered in mud. She was tremendously nice about it, and I helped her home and then went round later to check she was ok and offered to drive her to hospital if she felt she might have concussion... She insisted she was ok, and I hope that is so. I feel so dreadful; I am always afraid of being knocked down and hate it when dogs charge around out of control ... Poor Merlin, we got home and he just went into Poppy's bed under OH's desk and hid. Even though I hadn't told him off or anything (he really didn't mean to do anything wrong, it was a complete accident), I was mortified and he obviously felt it... Sigh. He really, truly, is a very nice-natured dog, but he is such a KLUTZ at the moment. We've been having a bit of a time of it, what with him getting into the garden pond several times and dragging out the water plants, and chewing up gloves and slippers AND his new LED collar - before it had even been taken out of the amazon package!!! He must have swallowed the charger cord from that, because we found the two ends, with chewed bits of wire sticking out, but the actual connecting wire is missing... It's a good thing I love him. He's been very good though today... "Sorry Mum".
Oh my word, you must feel awful. Twiglet did this to me five times, I was always afraid it would be someone we were walking with the next time. They thought I was paranoid with my warnings, but Twiglet had no sense of space at all - a good thing she decided she didn’t want to be a Guide Dog! Nothing broken, onwards and upwards ... xx .
Lovely photo I’m sure that this was really unsettling all round. It happens, though... I think that getting run into is kind of an occupational hazard with dogs.... Hope everyone is feeling ok about it in a day or two.
Bless Merlin, he looks very sorry for himself. I'm sure the lady understands having a dog herself. Don't beat yourself up about, it was an accident and nothing you could of done.
Yes, an unfortunate accident. Poor lady, and poor you - it's a worry when they don't have the coordination. You can't stay upset with that gorgeous face though, can you? Luna pulled me off my feet at the Severnside walkies. Embarrassing, but that's life with a puppy brain in an adult body
Very unfortunate, luckily you know your neighbour and she realises it's an accident and accepted your apology. Does she live alone? if so maybe you could ring to check she's OK. Labradors more than any other dog I've known do know when they've hurt someone by accident.
Oh gosh, you must feel awful. Sounds like a right tumble she had. Poor Merlin. But....These things happen, our dogs are just sometimes so enthusiastic playing. Some definitely have a better sense of direction than others! You did your best, made all the apologies, gave follow-up care etc - what else could you do? I'm sure she appreciated this.
Oh how awful for you! I always fear this with Stanley when he gets overexcited! You've done all you can - try not to feel too bad. I always try and think I would be understanding in that position - I'm sure you're a lot more upset about it than you're neighbour. Definitely need a glass of wine. Merlin is absolutely beautiful though
Try not to worry about it, it was just one of those things that happen sometimes. Hope Merlin is ok now
Merlin is scrumptious xx It was an accident, it happens. It happened to me with Hattie and her best friend Harry, a combined weight of 75 kilos straight down a hill, smack into the back of my knees, I fly up into the air, landed with a thud on my back I can tell you I certainly didn't hold it against Harry or his owner at all. It comes with the territory. I hope you are both OK and your friend xx
It was just bad luck. I’m glad your friend was so nice about it and hope she’s feeling ok now. Merlin is a gorgeous boy.
Merlin looks such a beautiful dog, I would forgive him anything and he didn't mean to knock the lady over. I was knocked over by a dog while walking in the lane onto a tarmac surface, my face was a bit of a mess but it was an accident, no one to blame and I am sure your neighbour felt as I did. It could have been worse, a leg could have been broken
First off...what an absolutely gorgeous boy you have....I love the colour of your dogs! Although she is no doubt feeling worse than you physically, I’d bet you’re feeling worse emotionally. Can you follow up with a quick phone call, and maybe a tea tomorrow? And of course, another walk when she’s feeling up to it. (It easily could have been her dog that knocked her over...).
Aww rotten accident all around. Thankfully no broken bones. But I understand you feeling terrible. Poor Merlin too...(he is so gorgeous)...
Aah, what an unfortunate accident and I can understand you feeling the way you are. I hope your friend is ok from hitting her head.
What a rotten thing to happen- BUT it was an accident. I bet the majority of us on here have feared the same thing happening, either to us or more likely by our dogs. An excited leapy Labrador is a heavy critter to be bumped into by. He is though, the most gorgeous dog and I've no doubt he was as upset as you were.
Update - I've been round to see Tanja again, and luckily she's fine, other than a bit of a sore neck. I'm guessing she got a bit of whiplash from the fall. However, we were really lucky - there are big stones on that path; she could have hit her head on one of them... and of course, I did not have my mobile phone with me (I didn't need it, but might have). It's a lesson, always take the blooming phone with you! Merlin was EXTREMELY good yesterday, as though to make up for it... Thank you everybody for your support, as you can tell I really was feeling awful about it!
To be fair to Merlin this probably wouldn't of happened if your friend had not tried to avoid the collision, I'm not saying it was her fault far from it. I was knocked over twice by my last Lab and once by a friends, all three times I was stepping either left or right to avoid the dog but think if I could of held my nerve and stood still the dog would of missed me. Although it takes a brave person to stand still while a 35kg lab heads towards them at speed.
