Uniquety

You might wonder why I didn’t immediately herd him onto an alternative surface or possibly run for an old towel. The reason is that before either of those plans could be set in motion we realized that this was not your typical vomiting episode.

“Is he choking?” The Mr asked.

“I don’t know,” I said “What do we do if he is? Google ‘Heimlich for dogs?”

We stood there staring for a beat or two wondering if we were about to witness the suffocation of our family pet when my CPR training came to mind. I’ve been told time and again that the training would be useful in life.

The day finally came.

So, I thought, what is the first thing to do when you can’t communicate with the distressed party because they are either, passed out, an infant, or in this case, a dog? The answer is (say it with me) “Look listen and feel for breathing,” Should I try to lie him on his back and hang my head over his face while watching for the rise and fall of his tiny chest? No, that couldn’t be a good idea. I figured I was already looking and listening and could neither see nor hear anything to confirm or deny that that he was breathing, so I stuck my hand in front of his face to feel for airflow. To my relief, it was there and after a few more seconds of struggle the dog began to recover himself.

I’ve just now googled Heimlich for dogs. I found, not only an article but an instructional video as well. Sadly, it looks like I’m going to have to add the word “small” to my search and keep looking as no mention was made of modifying for a dog whose ribcage is smaller than a human fist. I know how to modify people Heimlich for babies, but again, lying the dog on his back seems like a really bad idea. Maybe administer the thrust with a single thumb? Odds are, I’ll never have need to know.