The importance of knowing CPR for your pup!

In August of 2007, we created this lens in honor of our great blogging friend, Tish and her pup Cruella. Because, in February of 2007, Tish and Cruella had a really big scare. Cruella choked on a piece of hot dog and couldn't breath.

Tish told the story on her blog, "Cruella became disoriented and started to stumble around the room. I started screaming, and I continued to whack her between the shoulders, hoping to dislodge the food." Every time I read Tish's post about this terrifying night, I start to get those scary chills and go over and hug my Mum. It really makes me scared, and at the same time grateful, that I'm alive and so is Cruella, thanks to Tish.

Recently, Tish attended a Red Cross training and became certified in pet first aid and cpr. It's an incredibly important and life saving program they offer, and Tish's program only cost $25.00.

Please visit my Canine CPR lens and learn about how to save your pup's life. Your pups life is too important, and you just never know when something can go terribly wrong. What you know may be just the help your pup needs in times of crisis.

CPR for your dog!

Learning CPR is so important for your pup. Check out this news article!

Man Saves Dog's Life Using CPR

(Rochester, NY) -- Molly Brady and her dog Bella are playing together again thanks to two men who saved Bella's life.

The Rochester woman’s dog was nearly killed Monday night when an elevator door closed on her dog’s leash, trapping little Bella on the outside.

Two nearby workers sprang into action, freed the trapped dog, and literally breathed life back into it.

"I had just gotten home from work, and I just took Bella out like I do my regular routine," said Molly Brady. "We go into the elevator, and all of a sudden Bella darts out at the last minute."

The door closed, trapping Bella on the outside with Molly on the inside.

The elevator began to rise...

"I saw the dog slowly rising up the side of the elevator door. Then it stopped, and the dog was being strangled in the corner of the elevator," said Pete Strohmeier, an employee of Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport. Strohmeier and his boss, Scott Page, rushed to help.

"I went to grab a pair of scissors and ran back out. I couldn't get up there because it was so high. I couldn't get my fingers up there. Scott's taller, and he came out," Strohmeier said.

Together they managed to free her from the collar.

"The collar was kind of embedded right into the dog's neck. The dog wasn't moving. It was completely stiff. We thought for sure it was dead," said Scott Page.

"I was holding it, and I could see its eyes were just losing life. It was just this blank stare and there was no life left in the dog,” Strohmeier said.

Then Strohmeier did the only thing he could think of -- he began CPR.

"I figured I'd pinch its little nose and try blowing air into its mouth, and it seemed to come back to life after about five times," he said.

Bella was back.

A trip to the animal hospital confirmed she was OK and that CPR, even on a dog, will work.

"In cases, especially where they just stop breathing and their heart's still beating, there's a much greater chance to actually bring them back," said Dr. Simon Kirk of Animal Emergency Service.

Veterinarians warn dog owners to be careful of retractable leashes when riding elevators or near fences because dogs do accidentally choke themselves.

Strohmeier says this was not the first time he had performed CPR on a dog. He says he previously tried CPR on one of his puppies, and it worked then too.

"They're heroes. I don't know what I would do...I thought she was dead,” said Brady. She says she will be carrying Bella on and off the elevator from now on.