We had a very close call with Arnie yesterday. We live in an area that is a new housing estate and as a result they are still constructing much of the roads and the remainder of the estate. So, due to the fact that there is a winding creek throughout the estate, they have built bridges here and there. Some of these bridges already have tall safety railing installed and some don't. We were walking Arnie in a new area, where no one is ever around, as we often do. He was off lead and had just had a swim in one of the ponds. We decided to walk along the road and cross one of the new bridges. He was trotting along in front of us and stopped halfway along the bridge, turned and looked at me. I said "Go on mate, go play", and being the little clown that he is got way too excited, spun around in a circle and went for the edge of the bridge. This concrete handrailing is about waist height, but no extended catch fence is on top yet. He jumped over the waist high railing and fell off the bridge. A good 10 meter fall!! Into the ankle deep creek filled with large round river boulders. Obvious panic stations for the wife and I. I run down and grab him. He looked very dazed and was holding his right back leg in the air and scrunching his toes, in pain. What amazes me is the fact that he didn't make a sound. No crying or yelping, nothing. I felt around and looked for obvious injuries like broken bones and cuts. All he had were a few grazes on his legs. I picked him up and carried him up to the road. Said to the wife "go home, get the car", then thought, she's gonna take forever. Changed my mind, told her to wait, threw off my thongs (in the UK I believe they are flip flops), and ran the 2 kilometres home to fetch the car at full pelt. Sped back, loaded the poor little man in the back and started driving to the vet. He proceeds to roll over and dry himself on the car seat, acting like nothing had happened. Anyway, we get to the vet, we are still freaking out, he thinks we are there to have a good time. Crazy kid. Vet checks him over, cleans his grazes, listens in amazement and horror to what happened and commented on how incredibly lucky he is to be there. My poor wife had a mini break down when we got home. We monitored him today to make sure there is no bruising to his lungs, or any other issues to pop up, but he's right as rain. A very close call and I am truely grateful that it didn't end in disaster
OMG! What an awful experience. So glad that Arnie seems to have come through his mis-adventure with only a few scrapes
Oh, how scary! There's a bridge in Scotland that dogs jump from relatively frequently. It's around 50ft high, and many have died
OMG what a horrific thing to have to watch. So glad the little chap is OK with no lasting damage. Hope your wife is OK too
What a dreadful scare for you both, so pleased no real damage done to Arnie, but appreciate how you both must have felt.
Oh Arnie, what a terrible accident. I am so glad he is OK which is more than can be said for you and your wife! xx
You poor things, what a heart stopping moment for you, so pleased that Arnies adventure ended happily
Thanks for all the support. He is so lucky he didn't do some serious damage. I still can't explain how it didn't end up worse. Once again, thanks for all the support
Oh my word! So glad the thread was titled " A very close call.." Not sure I would've been able to read it otherwise! So very relieved for you...apparently dogs are good for us...they lower heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones...really! Glad all is well...
Glad he is OK and all ended well for you all. On the bright side, good practise if you ever want to go for a tandem parachute...
