Sweet Pea is a 3 year old terrier/bird dog mix we found at the dump three years ago. She is a happy go lucky dog, loves life, and loves everyone. Tonight, I fed her dinner, and we went outside as usual. When we came back in, her brother wanted to play, so I was playing tug with him. Of course Sweet Pea wanted in on the fun, so we played some tug and keep away as well.
Suddenly, she stopped playing ,and started to retch. I grabbed her collar, and gently pulled her off the carpet before she vomited. Okay, no big deal, I shouldn't have been roughhousing with her so soon after she ate. Except Sweet Pea felt terrible! She tried to cover her mess, and cowered like she was in big trouble. I never once acted upset with her. I was completely matter of fact, told her it was okay, the cats throw up more than she does. Plus as a mom I've cleaned vomit for years. I got the stuff to clean up, and in no time the mess was gone.
Why did she get so upset? It really doesn't bother me, and when I pulled her off the carpet, it was very gently. I wasn't upset in the least with her. Still it took a while for her smile to come back. I wish she didn't feel so guilty, is there anything I can do to avoid it in the future?
Did I handle it okay?
Suddenly, she stopped playing ,and started to retch. I grabbed her collar, and gently pulled her off the carpet before she vomited. Okay, no big deal, I shouldn't have been roughhousing with her so soon after she ate. Except Sweet Pea felt terrible! She tried to cover her mess, and cowered like she was in big trouble. I never once acted upset with her. I was completely matter of fact, told her it was okay, the cats throw up more than she does. Plus as a mom I've cleaned vomit for years. I got the stuff to clean up, and in no time the mess was gone.
Why did she get so upset? It really doesn't bother me, and when I pulled her off the carpet, it was very gently. I wasn't upset in the least with her. Still it took a while for her smile to come back. I wish she didn't feel so guilty, is there anything I can do to avoid it in the future?
Did I handle it okay?