reese’s anxiety

When I picked Reese up that afternoon after work, they told me what he had eaten, and not to worry, since dogs have "bulletproof stomachs," and it would most likely pass on its own. On the ride home, Reese threw up in the car. When we got home, he vomited twice more. I called the vet to see if there was anything I could do for Reese. The office staff told me to bring him in. The vet spent the night with Reese in his office so that he could keep an eye on my dog.

By morning, none of the plastic cot had come up or passed. The vet took an x-ray of Reese's stomach, and found that Reese had swallowed abnormally large chunks of the cot, and they were unlikely to pass or come back up. The vet decided the only thing to do was to operate. The vet picked up the bill, of course, since Reese had been in the custody of his office when he ate the cot. Reese still has a scar that is barely visible, and has since eaten a leash (also at day care), which did not require surgical intervention. In addition, when he is not closely watched, he will eat "indestructable" dog toys, any food (even chocolate), nail files, kleenexs, q-tips, water bottles and shoes.

Reese doesn't go to day care any longer, and is on medication for anxiety. We've also taken a training class and begun a routine of daily exercise. Reese still tries to eat pretty much anything, but its now for enjoyment and not out of anxiety.

Not surprised by the stuff your dog eats,

About a year ago, my dog Reese revealed that he had separation anxiety. Every time I left my apartment, he would bark and whine until my return...incessant noise that spanned six or seven hours when I went to work. One of my neighbors left a note under the door explaining the problem and suggesting doggie day care. I thought it was a good idea and began dropping Reese off every morning on my way to work. One day at day care, Reese decided that it would be a good idea to eat the cot that the day care gave him to sleep on. This cot was blue, as large as Reese, and made of hard plastic. He ate the entire thing before the staff realized the cot was missing.