man trips over dog

Animal Behavior

Tripping over pets can have life-changing consequences, falls caused by pets can cause serious injuries, especially to the elderly..

Posted October 19, 2018

Yesterday, president-elect Joe Biden broke his foot playing with his dog Major. He is in good company.

Take, for example, canine behaviorist Diana Rayment of Melbourne, Australia. One afternoon in May 2016, she was taking Bolt, her Rottweiler, for a walk. Suddenly, Bolt spotted a group of kangaroos and took off after them full tilt. Unfortunately, his leash was tangled around Diana’s legs. As she fell, Diana’s body was twisted around by the leash. She wrote to me in an email, "this effectively separated the bones of my foot from the bones of my leg.” Luckily, she was soon discovered by a couple of neighborhood kids and rushed to a hospital. The x-rays revealed she had suffered “fully displaced comminuted spiral fractures of both the tibia and fibula” – her lower leg bones. Diana underwent three surgeries over the next year. She now has a permanent limp.

The Perils of Falls Caused By Dogs and Cats

Injuries like Diana’s are surprisingly common. In the United States, nearly 90,000 people a year are taken to emergency rooms due to falls caused by dogs and cats. Given the frequency and severity of these injuries, you would think there would be a lot of research on pet-related falls. But this is not the case. While hundreds of research papers have been published in the medical literature on dog bites, I could locate only three short articles on injuries caused by tripping over pets.

I was surprised by the lack of research on this problem, so I posted a one-sentence statement on Facebook . It said simply, “Looking for stories of people injured by tripping over pets.” I expected to get a handful of responses. I was wrong. Over the next couple of days, I received 47 Facebook messages describing falls and other accidents caused by dogs and cats. Here’s a sample of the responses I received.

Emily Patterson Kane, a psychologist who studies human-animal interactions, wrote about her mom, Jacky. While washing her two border collies, she slipped, fell backward, and hit her head on the floor. Jacky was knocked unconscious for several hours, and she also suffered a crushed wrist. For the next year, she experienced neurological symptoms including memory loss and hearing problems. Fortunately, she has now fully recovered.

Nell Thompson's enthusiastic Staffordshire terrier ran into her leg a month ago. She wrote that the velocity of the impact resulted in “my ankle going one way, my knee going the other, and a cracked molar to boot.” She spent a couple of weeks in the hospital, and she will likely be wearing a leg brace for at least a month.

Lauren Novak described one of the more unusual incidents. She wrote, “My mother tripped over our dog while carrying a plate and fork. She fell and the fork went THROUGH HER FINGER!” Her mom was taken to the emergency room for stitches which was followed by several weeks of physical therapy . According to Lauren, her mother had a long road to recovery, and she has never regained full feeling in her finger.

Megan Alexander's wrist was crushed when she fell while walking her three dogs. Two years and three surgeries later, she is still having problems with her injured wrist and is facing the prospect of another trip to the operating room.

Nik Taylor is a foremost scholar in the area of human-animal relationships. Three years ago, Nik was playing with her dogs on the beach when Bailey, a ridgeback cross, crashed into her, fracturing her ankle. The surgeons needed six pins to put her ankle back together. Nik's surgery was followed by eight weeks in a cast and six months of physical therapy. Nik was out of work for six months

Francis Dauster is a professional dog trainer who tripped while walking her own dog. In addition to breaking her leg, she also wound up with a dental infection which required three root canals. She wrote, “Now I am VERY careful walking…I go up and down stairs like a 90-year-old waiting to break a hip.”

Chris Wellman’s grandmother tripped over her dog. According to Chris, “Her recovery did not go as planned. She is now wheelchair-bound and lives in a nursing home.”

The Types of Falls Caused by Pets

The patterns of the injuries reported by my Facebook respondents are instructive.

• Types of Accidents: Most of the accidents resulted from tripping over pets (24 cases) or being pulled over by dogs on leashes (10 cases). Five of the injuries were caused by dogs who crashed into their owners.
• Species: When it comes to causing accidents, dogs are more dangerous than cats. Of the 47 injuries, 39 involved dogs compared to 8 caused by cats.
• Types of Injuries: The injuries ranged from bloody noses to broken pelvises. Twenty-one accidents involved broken bones, mostly leg, ankle, and foot fractures. There were also a few broken pelvises, hips and wrists. Twelve of the incidents resulted in concussions, contusions, or dental problems (broken teeth, infections, and root canals). Eighteen cases fell into the “other” category. Among these were sprains, lacerations, ruptured disks, and torn rotator cuffs.

can see from this graph, nearly half of the injuries were in a severe category.

Pet-Related Falls Are Especially Dangerous For the Elderly

The stories of my Facebook respondents reveal an interesting picture of the suffering caused by accidents with pets. It was, however, a small sample, and I did not have information about the demographics of the respondents. A 2010 study by Judy Stevens and her colleagues at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, however, did reveal the types of people most likely to be injured in falls caused by dog and cats. Their research was based on admission to a nationally representative sample of 66 hospital emergency rooms between 2001 and 2006. Stevens found that among 7,826 pet-caused emergency room visits, women were twice as likely as men to be injured in pet-related accidents. And, as with my Facebook respondents, the researchers found that dogs were much more likely to be the cause injuries than were cats.

But the most striking pattern in injuries discovered by the researchers was related to age. As witnessed by headlines like The Healing Power of Pets for Seniors the pet products industry relentlessly touts pet ownership as a key to healthy aging. But the media rarely mentions the consequences of injuries to elderly people caused by dogs and cats. As you can see from this graph, older people are particularly likely to suffer from pet-inflicted accidents. Indeed, the CDC researchers found that people over 75 were three times more likely to injured by falling over pets than individuals under 35. The late Oscar-winning Hollywood screenwriter Frank Pierson is an example of what can happen when older adults trip over their pets. Pierson wrote the screenplays for some of my favorite films including Cool Hand Luke and Dog Day Afternoon . When he was in his 80s, he was taking his dog, a standard poodle, for a walk in Malibu Canyon. The dog suddenly took off after a rabbit, causing Frank to fall and break his neck. He was in a neck brace for a year. A screenwriter friend of mine who knew Pierson well told me that after the accident, “Frank was never the same.”

Frances Dauster, the dog trainer who broke her leg, nicely summarized the possible consequences of tripping over pets. She wrote, “The sticker warning is that even if you have walked thousands of dogs, it only takes ONE to knock you off your pins and change your life for a long time.”

The bottom line is that claims about the benefits of living with pets should also acknowledge the potential costs. (See Three Reasons Pets Do Not Lower Health Care Costs .)

Hal Herzog, Ph.D., is the author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard To Think Straight About Animals.

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Man Trips Over Dog and Falls While Walking

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This man was walking backward when his rescue pup Britta unknowingly came in the way. As he tripped over her and fell, he and the puppy looked equally surprised by the accident.

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Jockey Taiki Yanagida, 28, Dies After Being Trampled by Horse During Race: A 'Well-Liked Young Man'

Yanagida, a rider based in New Zealand, died days after he was trampled and run over by horses at Cambridge Jockey Club

Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. He has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City.

Taiki Yanagida, a New Zealand-based horse jockey from Japan, died Tuesday, a few days after he fell from his horse and was trampled by another.

According to the Herald Sun , 28-year-old Yanagida was riding his horse, Te Atatu Pash, during a race at New Zealand's Cambridge Jockey Club last Wednesday when he fell 250 meters from the finish line. The horse fell on top of Yanagida, and he experienced severe injuries to his head and spine, the outlet reported.

Yanagida's helmet came off during the fall and he was also trampled by a horse behind him, NZ Herald reported.

Yanagida succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday at Waikato Hospital with his mother and one of his siblings by his side, the outlet said. He is the first jockey to die as a result of a race fall in New Zealand since December 2016.

NZ Herald said had Yanagida survived, he likely would not have been able to walk again.

In an interview with RaceForm in June, Yanagida, who was nicknamed "Tiger," said his mother did not want him to become a horse jockey.

"I wanted to try and become a jockey, but my mom didn't agree, she said I must go to university first, I think she was worried about the gambling," Yanagida told RaceForm. "I completed one year at university before I said I was going to Australia to train to be a jockey."

He added: "Now my mother is happy for me, she knows I am doing what I always wanted to, but she still worries about me and is always going to the temple to pray for my luck and safety."

Yanagida said he was happy with the progress he has made throughout his career, especially in recent months. But, he was especially looking forward to spending time with his family during the summer.

"I'm very happy, this year, I have the best results in my career," he told RaceForm. "I ride trackwork for lots of different people at Matamata, and once a week, I go to Cambridge. By working hard, I am getting plenty of race rides — and winners too."

"I'm really looking forward to being with my family for four weeks, then I will be back in time to get ready for the new season — I'm hoping it is going to be another good one," he continued.

RELATED VIDEO: 5 Things to Know About the Kentucky Derby

In a statement, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing said they would assist Yanagida's family in taking "their son and brother home."

"Our deepest sympathies are with Taiki's family — his mother Kayano, sisters Chiaki and Ayano, and his grandmother," New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Bruce Sharrock said. "We share their grief at the loss of such a talented, friendly, and well-liked young man."

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How To Own a Horse

Horse trips over dog rider dies.

• March 18, 2024
• Posted by Clare Dean

It's a sad reality that accidents happen when horses and humans share their spaces. Instances like a horse tripping over a dog that leads to the rider's untimely demise are tragic, and they remind us of the importance of safety around our beloved steeds. In this thoroughly engaging article, we'll explore the factors that contribute to these unfortunate events and, most importantly, learn preventative measures that ensure the safety of both horse and rider.

Horse Trips Over Dog Rider Dies Table of Contents

Understanding the incident, preventative measures to ensure safety.

When horses, dogs, and humans are all involved in an outdoor setting, it's crucial to understand each participant's instincts and reactions to ensure their well-being. In this particular incident, a horse tripped over a dog, which subsequently caused the rider to fall and suffer fatal injuries. As we dissect the factors that may have led to this tragic event, it's essential to remember that prevention is key in equine safety.

The Dog's Role in the Incident

• Dogs have natural instincts to chase and herd animals, such as horses.
• Horses, as prey animals, react instinctively to the presence of a potential threat, like an unfamiliar dog.
• Even well-trained dogs might be drawn to a running horse, leading to a potentially dangerous situation.

The Rider's Role in the Incident

• Owning both a dog and a horse on the same property requires proper training and management to avoid disastrous situations.
• While not all accidents can be foreseen or prevented, being aware of possible hazards and taking precautionary measures can significantly minimize risks.

Understanding the potential risks involved when combining horses, dogs, and humans in one area is the first step in minimizing potential accidents. We must employ strategies that prioritize the safety of everyone involved, including the animals.

For Horse Owners and Riders

• Establish a solid foundation of training and communication with your horse. A well-trained horse will be better equipped to handle stress-inducing situations.
• Keep your dog on a leash or well contained when horses are being ridden. Even the most obedient dog could accidentally spook a horse, so be cautious in your management.
• Stay vigilant about your surroundings both on and off your horse. Situational awareness can help you avoid or react safely to any potential issues.
• Combine your riding training with knowledge of emergency dismounts, techniques that can help you land softly if riding goes awry, to minimize any consequences to your safety.

For Dog Owners

• Train your dog on essential commands such as "come," "stay," and "leave it" to ensure control over your dog around horses or other animals.
• Leash your dog when around horses, especially if you're unsure about their behavior or interactions.
• Invest time in socializing your dog with horses from a young age. This will help them learn the appropriate behavior and boundaries they should follow with these larger animals.

Horse Trips Over Dog Rider Dies Example:

Take the story of Sarah, an experienced rider who had been around horses for most of her life. One day while riding her horse, Molly, in an open field, she decided to let her dog, Max, accompany her for a short while. Max had been around Molly before but was never explicitly trained to be around horses.

The situation turned tragic when Max suddenly began barking and started darting towards the cantering Molly. Stressed by the sudden display, Molly bolted like prey, accidentally tripping over the dog who was too close. This change in pace caught Sarah off-guard, and she was thrown off the horse, landing headfirst on the ground. Sarah sustained life-threatening injuries and passed away as a result.

As horse and dog lovers, our responsibility is to ensure that both of these beautiful creatures can coexist harmoniously, maintaining each individual's safety. Taking the time to train and educate ourselves, our horses, and our dogs can make all the difference in preventing heartbreaking incidents like the one highlighted in this article.

We encourage you to share this crucial information with your fellow horse owners and dog lovers. Together, we can make our equestrian community a safer place for us all to enjoy. Don't hesitate to explore more valuable guides and tips on our blog, How to Own a Horse, where your passion and safety come first in everything we do.

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Well | have you tripped over your dog.

Have You Tripped Over Your Dog?

As someone with three small dogs and two cats, I could relate to the news today that pet accidents are a major source of injury in the United States. My pets are constantly underfoot, and just the other day I took a tumble as I tried to avoid squashing a 6-month-old Shih Tzu.

A new study shows that more than 86,000 people a year end up in the emergency room because they tripped over the family pet . The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that while we sometimes trip over our cats, dogs are the primary cause of pet-related falling accidents. Dr. Judy Stevens, whose research focuses on preventing falls in senior citizens, said she’s often heard people explain that they were tripped up by the family pet, but until now there were no data to show how common a problem it really is.

Have you tripped over the family pet? Please join the discussion and share your stories of animal-related trips, falls and mishaps.

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I have hideous allergies (spare me the “hypo-allergenic breed” nonsense) and often feel sad that I cannot have a pet, but as I get older now, I guess I can feel better about having one less risk of falling in the house.

I have two dogs, both about 65 lbs. They have tripped over me, they’ve gotten in my way, they’ve stepped on me when I’m on the sofa or in bed….. and I’ve gotten an interesting bruise or two. They’re sizable enough so that I really don’t have them underfoot the way a tiny mouse-dog is, but in a narrow apartment kitchen only big enough for one person, it does get a little chaotic at dinnertime.

I’ve never really damaged myself or them, but they have managed to prevent a fall or two by blocking my path when I would have whacked my shin on the coffee table.

On the street, the only time I’ve ever fallen with/over them was when crossing Central Park West, a woman walking a slightly aggressive dog, talking on her phone (not paying attention to me, my dogs, or the traffic) ran up behind me. My dogs turned around to see / protect me, and I wound up crashing and falling into oncoming traffic. A very alert cabbie stopped just in time, and even asked if I was OK. Mindless Yak-Bot on her cell phone not only didn’t acknowledge it was her fault, but said rude things to me while I untangled myself in the middle of CPW and picked gravel out of my bleeding hand.

My dogs haven’t really tripped me up. Problems caused by OTHER people/dogs…. that’s a whole different story.

I have had some close calls tripping on my dog on the stairs (his favorite playground), but I don’t yet have a documented fall. I do wonder about the flip side of the question, because I have a neighbor whose dog died after being stepped on and have stepped on my own dog’s paws countless times– how many pet injuries occur due to being stepped/tripped on?

My dog is named “Jim Look Out.” He is always where my foot is headed. It’s a gift. I haven’t fallen yet–but it’s a matter of time.

I can relate, I just about fell down the stairs when I tripped on one cat, and in attempting to recover, nearly flatened the second one with my size 11’s. So I shuffle my feet when it’s dark and use the handrail on the stairs.

I used to have a cat which would delibrately try to trip me every time I went into the kitchen. Even if she was in the other room, she would rush to run in front of me. I managed to recover and not fall for the most part. The poor cat however, got stepped on a couple of times.

I manage to trip over my dog at least once a week. So far I have avoided major injury. Usually my “clumsiness” is due to me trying to avoided stepping on either my dog’s paws or tails. On the flip side, pet ownership does have positive health effects ( i.e. stress reduction).

I was typing not really for me and suddenly remembered a run into a solid boxer who had stopped suddenly on a walk. Talk about picking gravel out of your hand.

Once my grandmother fell over her newfie which did not create the kinds of problems this article is talking about. In fact, she said that it was really for the best because it kind of broke her fall in a way that a much smaller dog would have not been able to.

With 2 – 12lb dogs and a cat, YES, I am always tripping over them. And it’s always in the kitchen.

If I have to make dinner I will put the dogs behind the baby gate in the den so I am not tripping with a hot pan in my hands.

Luckily, the dwarf rabbit hangs out under the kitchen table so he’s never underfoot!

Unfortunately twice, once in my living room and the other while on a walk. Both resulted in serious breaks (shoulder and wrist) and emergency room visits!

But I still love my dog!

As the doctor states this is a excellent reason for proper dog training ! Though as far as tripping over them my Doberman Pup loves to lay on my feet and curled up next to the bed so I do need to watch out to see where she is ;-)

I have never tripped over my dog—yet. I’ve come close once or twice when a squirrel is in her sight and she gleefully crosses over in front of me. More dangerous are the three cats I live with who are always on the stairs, especially whenever I’m bringing laundry up or down the stairs. I am extremely careful on my stairs!!!!

My cat constantly runs under my feet so I have learned to watch where I step. In the kitchen, I walk with a kind of shuffle so that my foot will slide under the cat. Of course that doesn’t help when he pounces on my foot and bites my toes. But I love him anyway.

Just the opposite.

My mother is well-known in our family for running over her sister’s dogs with her car, at least three over the years.

So it does work both ways!

My mother recently tripped when her cat suddenly burst out of a hiding place and ran right in front of her. Luckily nothing was broken, just bruising, but as people get older this gets much more dangerous. One event can create a cascade that destroys a person’s quality of life. On the other hand, having pets is a great life enhancement.

And you can’t train a cat.

I don’t know the answer … I just worry.

I was at the top of the stairs to my back door, the dog right behind me still on his leash. I was fumbling with the lock when he spotted another dog on the street and took off, pulling me backwards down the stairs. Somehow I managed to keep my feet, but have some magnificent bruises as a souvenir. I yelled so hard that the dog now approaches the back door, every time, very slowly and carefully…

I’ve tripped over my dog several times, usually while getting into or out of bed in the dark, but there’s never been a serious injury to either of us. It’s gotten to the point that I reflexively, even when half awake, hold out one hand to cover the sharp corners of furniture so that I won’t end up with a black eye if I step on a foot or ear. He also has a bad habit of worming his way between the sofa and coffee table at night while we’re watching TV, and has often been stepped on (or even kicked) when we try to put our feet on the floor to get up.

Our cats are just as bad. One positively refuses to move when he sees us coming … and then decides to dodge “out of the way”, usually right into the path of the foot that was trying to step around his original position.

Note to Star (#4) — we’re convinved that one of our cats, whose name in Cinder, thought her name was “Nonobad sinder” until she was about a year old. Either she’s gotten better behaved, or we’ve just stopped fighting it.

I’ve stumbled over my cat a few times, and once I fell flat on my face after stepping on one of her toys. No injuries though. Since then, I’ve tried to make a better effort at keeping the high-traffic areas of the house clear of kitty toys; it’s just the prudent thing to do.

As an occasional animal shelter volunteer, I was glad to see the experts didn’t recommend we get rid of our pets for safety’s sake. I mean, life is full of risk. We just have to deal with it.

I’ve accidentally stepped on my cat’s tail more than once. A couple of weeks ago she got inadvertently shut into a closet for a couple of hours. And awhile back she fell from a windowsill and sprained her leg, necessitating a $200 trip to the vet. So I guess the hazards go both ways. :)

Tripping over our dog usually occurs right around before and after dinner time. He’s always in the kitchen, at our heels, or licking dirty plates in the dishwasher.

Yeah, I’ve tripped over my dogs. So what? I’ve tripped over my own feet far more often. Maybe someone can do a study about that.

Is ur dog trippin?

My neighbors evicted their imbecile cat, Sasha. “She’s an outside cat now.” Sasha sleeps on my doormat at the top of a flight of stairs. Eeeevery morning I come out the door and confront Sasha or evidence of same. Will this be one of the mornings she leaps up and figure-eights around my feet while I attempt to descend the stairs? Or is this one of the mornings she’s merely tossed a hairball onto the doormat and disappeared? I don’t have to read my horoscope anymore: I just observe condition of the doormat and predict how the day will go. And I already know how and where I’m going to die: of a broken neck at the bottom of my stairs with Sasha perched on my chest throatbirthing a knot of wet fur.

Never, to the contrary when we are walking my German shepherd dog helps me up the steeper areas. At home, he is on the floor all right, but so is the furniture. I don’t stumble over the coffee table and I don’t stumble over Wolf-he’s too big.

Having lived with a paraplegic chihuahua for 15 years, we learned to keep a sharp eye, and I developed a sort of shuffle I would do walking in a dim room so as to feel him (or any of the other 3 large, but lazy dogs we had during most of his lifetime) with my toe before anything untoward happened to either of us. It was all worth it and I can think of no better end than to mutually crash when whatever old dog I have and I just can’t navigate life anymore! Christine

I don’t have problems stepping or tripping on my 75 lb dog. But I do have problems tripping on his dog toys! No major injuries yet, however.

FROM TPP — Ah the hazard of dog toys. I know it well…

I’ve never tripped over one of my dogs, but I’ve tripped over a cat many times. I’m really surprised cats are not more of a tripping hazard than dogs — they like to greet people by coming up and rubbing against one’s legs, and they are (largely) oblivious while doing it. Most dogs, on the other hand, will react if you start shrieking at them to move.

That said, I believe a dog is responsible for my mother’s spinal stenosis. She LOVED dogs, and was walking a neighbor’s dog. The dog was excitable and not well trained. It yanked on the leash and pulled her down with it. She began complaining of leg pains shortly after that fall, and, despite countless doctor’s visits, they never went away.

Her spine was weakened by osteoporosis. I believe that fall was the last straw, and it literally broke her back.

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Man, dog vanish in Grand Canyon after apparent homemade raft trip

A man and his dog are missing after apparently taking a homemade wooden raft on the river that runs through the Grand Canyon , the National Park Service said Wednesday. 

The man was identified by park officials in a news release as Thomas L. Robinson of Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Robinson abandoned his vehicle at Lees Ferry , a fishing and boat launching point in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The site is often used as a launch for for whitewater rafting trips along the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon, according to park officials. 

A photo of the raft that it is believed Robinson used to attempt to travel down the river with his small dog shows just a few long planks assembled together, along with a paddle and life vest. 

A missing persons investigation is ongoing, the park service said. Anyone with information about Robinson or who may have seen him is asked to contact the Grand Canyon Dispatch Center. 

Robinson is described as a 5'10" White man with brown hair and hazel eyes. The dog is a white 11-year-old Welsh Corgi, according to the NPS. 

The Colorado River runs nearly 1,500 miles, from the Rocky Mountains to Mexico, according to American Rivers , a site that catalogues information about the nation's waterways. In the Grand Canyon, the river continues to deepen and widen in the national landmark, according to the NPS . Whitewater rafting is common in the river.

Water flowing down the Colorado River from Glen Canyon takes fewer than three days to reach Lake Mead, according to CBS affiliate KLAS-TV.

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Tips to avoid tripping over your dog

It was just a simple two-step shuffle to avoid tripping over my dog and then I fell. Reaching my hands out to avoid crashing my head into the curb, I broke my left wrist.

I thus became one of the more than 86,000 people a year who end up in the emergency room after tripping over their family pet. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) most of those falls (76,000 or 88%) were caused by dogs.

Most of the time, tripping over your dog doesn’t cause a severe or incapacitating injury. In my case, I needed outpatient surgery to repair my badly broken wrist. I’ve had more than three months of physical therapy and months of pain and swelling. At times, I’ve seriously thought about whether I should have a dog or ever get another dog in the future.

I’ve backed away from such extreme reactions. There are ways to help avoid tripping over your dog. Here are the best tips I’ve found:

• Train your dog to walk at your side. This doesn’t have to be a tight heel; walking on a loose leash at your side is fine. You should hold the leash in the hand at the side where you want the dog to walk. Keeping some treats in your other hand can help encourage the dog to stay at your side. My dog Spike is more challenging.  He’s small and close to the ground, not motivated by treats and is nearly deaf. I switched to using a chest harness so I could pull him to my side without choking him. I also keep him on a shorter leash held out away from my body.
• Get obedience training if you have a dog that tends to pull or drag you when walking.
• Stay alert as you walk. Spike has a bad habit of crossing in front of my feet so closely I actually kick him slightly.  He’s always trying to drift to my left side. When you keep the leash short and fairly tight, you get more physical signals about where your dog is. This goes a long way toward preventing falls.
• Keep dog toys picked up. Tripping over dog toys or food bowls caused 8.8% of pet-related fall injuries, according to the CDC study.
• Clean up spilled water or scattered food as soon as you see it. Spilled water is especially dangerous because it’s nearly invisible and slippery.
• Train your dog not to jump on people when it gets excited. People who don’t have much experience with dogs are particularly vulnerable if a dog jumps on them.
• Attach a bell to your pet.   This can help you know where your pet is at all times.

One of the worst parts of my fall has been the lasting fear of falling again. With time and experience, that’s getting better. I no longer daydream or allow myself to get lost in my own thoughts as I walk. I try to stay in the moment, alert to where my dog is walking.

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Welcoming paddington the havanese, high cost – and value – of dental care for dogs, rattlesnake avoidance training best defense.

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Man, dog vanish in Grand Canyon after apparent homemade raft trip

A man and his dog are missing after apparently taking a homemade wooden raft on the river that runs through the Grand Canyon , the National Park Service said Wednesday.

The man was identified by park officials in a news release as Thomas L. Robinson of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Robinson abandoned his vehicle at Lees Ferry , a fishing and boat launching point in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The site is often used as a launch for for whitewater rafting trips along the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon, according to park officials.

A photo of the raft that it is believed Robinson used to attempt to travel down the river with his small dog shows just a few long planks assembled together, along with a paddle and life vest.

A missing persons investigation is ongoing, the park service said. Anyone with information about Robinson or who may have seen him is asked to contact the Grand Canyon Dispatch Center.

Robinson is described as a 5'10" White man with brown hair and hazel eyes. The dog is a white 11-year-old Welsh Corgi, according to the NPS.

The Colorado River runs nearly 1,500 miles, from the Rocky Mountains to Mexico, according to American Rivers , a site that catalogues information about the nation's waterways. In the Grand Canyon, the river continues to deepen and widen in the national landmark, according to the NPS . Whitewater rafting is common in the river.

Water flowing down the Colorado River from Glen Canyon takes fewer than three days to reach Lake Mead, according to CBS affiliate KLAS-TV.

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Star Wars fan heartbroken after dog destroys 5,000-piece LEGO Star Destroyer

A star wars fan has been left feeling heartbroken after their dog destroys 5,000-piece lego star destroyer..

Richard Lee Breslin

One Star Wars fan has been left feeling heartbroken after their dog destroyed their 5,000-piece LEGO Star Destroyer.

For so many years, LEGO has been a huge part of our lives - whether it's building a small house or indulging in one of LEGO’s modern-day premium sets, such as the epic Optimus Prime from Transformers . It’s also fair to say that LEGO is for everyone, no matter the age.

Building LEGO can be a very therapeutic experience as we calmly piece together thousands of bricks and then marvel at the work of art hours later. It’s perhaps not so therapeutic when my toddler niece waddles towards my LEGO Tallneck from the Horizon series. What’s more, it can become a nightmare as we edge closer to the last few pieces of completing our LEGO set, knowing that one dodgy move could bring it all crashing down undoing hours of work.

Sometimes, things can happen beyond our control and our beloved LEGO sets can crumble to pieces before our very watery eyes. As reported by Dexerto , one such incident seemingly happened to TikTok user polskihussar after his dog ran passed him down the stairs knocking a LEGO Star Destroyer into pieces as if it was a recreation of Alderaan being blown up by the Death Star.

At the time of writing, the clip featuring the destroyed (no pun intended) LEGO Star Destroyer has gone viral garnering over 20 million views on the social media platform. Polskihussar, who is said to be a very devoted Star Wars fan and cosplayer, was transporting his LEGO Star Destroyer from one area of his house to another. However, I do have some suspicions about the authenticity of the video and by the looks of things, so do many of the commenters. Who sets up a camera at the bottom of the stairs while you're carrying LEGO sets? Call me cynical, it could be genuine, but it’s not impossible that the tragic ordeal was staged.

If the video was staged, it’s certainly served its purpose by going viral and I guess some people just like to see the world burn. If it is genuine, then I find this video truly heartbreaking and I’m now going to hug my dog.

Topics:  Lego , Star Wars , Real Life

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