Grandma June Kept Knitting, Not Realizing Where the Rest of Her Yarn Had Gone
Grandma June is still knitting, but the yarn has taken a detour. She sits in her cozy oatmeal cardigan and round glasses, smiling to herself as she works her needles, apparently unaware of the situation unfolding at her knee. Domino the harlequin Great Dane is sitting right beside her, wrapped from paw to shoulder in loops of cream yarn. Strands run across his spotted chest, around one raised front leg, and back to a basket overflowing with yarn balls on the floor. His mouth is open in a cheerful, slightly guilty grin, as if he would like to explain but cannot quite find the words.
Yarn is fun to play with, but it is not a safe toy for dogs. When a dog chews and swallows string, yarn, ribbon, or thread, it can bunch up in the intestines and cause a serious blockage that may require surgery. Big dogs can swallow surprisingly long lengths quickly. Signs of a problem include vomiting, loss of appetite, a painful belly, or straining. If you know your dog swallowed yarn, call your vet right away rather than waiting for symptoms, and never pull on string you can see coming from a dog's mouth or rear end. To keep knitting time safe, store yarn in a lidded basket or bag, put projects away when you step out, and give your dog an appropriate chew or toy to keep them occupied nearby.
Domino will be unwound in a few minutes with no harm done. The sweater, however, may need some serious detangling.
