You might remember Striker, and his sad story. The 7-month-old golden retriever puppy had to be euthanized last year after he licked his owner's plugged-in paper shredder, with tragic results.
His owner, Ellen Lutz of Aquebogue, made it her personal mission to tell Striker's story so that other dog and cat owners could prevent such avoidable accidents in their own homes.
And, finally, Ellen has a new arrival. "Yesterday we brought Rhumbline's Bodie Island Light home," she wrote in an email to family and friends today. Although he will never replace Striker, he will help to heal our broken hearts. "
Bodie, an impossibly cute bundle of blondness, is pictured here.
"Please let people know that dogs are still being injured," Ellen adds. "A month ago a German-shorthair pointer named Molly had to have extensive surgery to repair her mangled ear. "
Please, unplug your shredders when not in use; keep them out of the reach of animals, and, for that matter, children; and never, ever leave them on "automatic" mode.
Comments (18)
How adorable! I wish Ellen and her family much happiness and many years with Bodie.
That puppy is adorable, such a sad story about Striker to make people realize the dangers that are in your own house, much happiness with her new baby.
Bodie is sooo cute. I wish the family all the best with the new addition.
Aww, how cute this golden is! I love my golden dog, Sadie!
DEBBIE AND KATHLEEN: Please check your personal emails from me!!
Yay! I'm back here!! It's WORKING!! :-)
Because I'm back to my old email addy and provider!!
This works fine!!
Keep finding Vivi and keep faith in Jesus!
Ellen I hope you're reading this...,
Congratulations on your new boy. I still have your story on the front desk of our Animal Clinic and we are still spreading the word. People every day are shocked, saddened and leave our clinic saying "...I have to tell so-and so".
It seems that in the last 7 months I have spent a lot of time saying thank you. And I need to again... to all of you who have sent good wishes regarding Bodie.We look forward to many memories with this bundle of fur and energy.
MOST OF ALL to those of you who heard Striker's story and continue to spread the word about the danger shredders pose. I am so grateful to each and every one of you for helping to save any other animals from pain and families from heartache.
I never thought to look at Denise's blog after the story came out about Striker. I just looked at the comments now. In a way, I wish I hadn't. I felt that Denise, as an extension of me, was being chastised by a number of you for spreading information that needed to be heard. I'm sorry if it was too graphic and "not happy" enough to be posted. If reading it was difficult, imagine what I went through. For those of you who felt it was a forum to say idiotic things,likening it to leaving a chain saw running, I'm happy that other bloggers put you in your place so that I don't have to speak to your insensitivity. You would think that after all this time, I would have healed. Having things like that said is like pouring salt on my wounds. I get through each day knowing that there are supportive people who will continue to keep Striker's story in mind (see Debra's post) and use the knowledge to inform others. To those people I [again] say thank you.
Ellen - I apologize for any unkind comments left that you read. Please understand that like all blogs, we have robots and people who come on here just to create problems and hard feelings. Ignore these people, they are NOT the people I know dearly from this blog. The people I know are people with such wonderful and compassionate hearts. Believe me, we all were hurting for your pain and the loss of Striker from such a tragic accident.
I had considered purchasing a shredder for my our home, and I have to admit I would not have thought about this problem. Instead, I just take anything needing shredding to work and shred where we have no dogs or cats to be injured. Thank you for opening my eyes to this danger, although the story of Striker was so sad indeed to read.
Sometimes we hear of so many animals suffering and hurt, that one more story can send us all into withdrawal and depression for a while. But we all come back determined to change the world for the better for all these little creatures.
What a wonderful little bundle of fur :)
I make sure the shredder is unplugged at all times and no dogs are present when I use it.
Ellen, we need the "not happy" posts to learn from unfortunate events. It is a shame that it happened but there is a place in heaven for Striker. Best of luck with Bodie. He is a real looker :)
I think my nerves were a bit 'raw' when I wrote last night. I thought I made it clear that I DO appreciate most of the comments made. Looking back I see that I seem more angry than appreciative. Sorry for the tone.
I guess I can now provide a "balance" to this blog...the sad story of Striker and the happy arrival of Bodie.
I'm glad Denise let you all know about the ending to Striker's story. As I said...life without a dog just isn't a life. Certainly not one that I want to live. It has been VERY quiet and lonely at our house these past 7 months BUT NO LONGER! We are enjoying our new guy [even the lack of sleep] and all his puppiness "to the max".
Here's to happier times!
Thanks Ellen, you are very welcome. Bodie is just so adorable, just like Striker was. Enjoy Bodie, and soon the pain will ease. Just always remember that wonderful Rainbow Bridge where Striker will be waiting for all of you.
Congratulations. I'm sure you and Bodie will be very happy together.
thanks Denise. We are thrilled to have Bodie in our family. It has been difficult not to think of our life last year at this same time when we had welcomed Striker into our family. While we love him, we don't want to forget Striker's story and the message it carries. Please continue to spread the word about the dangers of paper shredders to pets and children.
Ellen - If you ever want to start a website in honor of Striker with his story, pictures, and stats and warnings about this danger, I would be honored to donate my time doing this website for you.
I enjoy using my background in website design for any type of animal causes, and I believe the website might be very helpful to get the word out about these dangers. Just e-mail me at kat_stephenson@juno.com if you would like to do this.
Give Bodie a hug for all of us please.
I read the story about Striker in utter disbelief. What a tragedy. I can only hope that pet owners will learn from this so that other animals are not injured or worse. My highest regards go out to Ellen for sharing her personal tragedy to educate pet owners.
As I don't use paper shredders I never knew they could be so dangerous! I would assume that they are designed with some sort of safety mechanism to prevent accidents such as Ellen's. Now I know otherwise!
Ariel,
The 'good' news is that the Fellowes corporation (one manufacturer of shredders) now offers some models with technology which does make them safer for pets and people. It is called Safe Sense. In addition, the eye is down lower in the 'chute' and some have covers which can slide over making the opening just large enough for a cd to go in. Unfortunately, these features seem to be offered in the higher end/more expensive models. If you ever do feel the need to own a shredder this information will help you to be an informed consumer. I hope that other companies will follow Fellowes' lead.
Thanks for your kind words. We never imagined that so many people would hear Striker's story. I'm continually gratified to hear that people are spreading the word.
There are a group of people interested in creating a "memorial" for Maximus, the dog set on fire- they are looking for donations of trees, flowers and the like--I have posted details on my site in the section titled "Maximus-" on www.suffolkcountyunleashed.com- please offer any support possible-