It seems like a paradox, but Canberra dog owner Helen Grinbergs insists her "no stick-throwing" policy is kind — not cruel.
"We've had Alaskan malamutes; we had a run of labradors for a while. Philip, or Pip, is our most recent dog, he's a red kelpie. High energy, lots of fun," she said.
"But we've never thrown sticks for any of them because there is a real risk of harm."
Ms Grinbergs's rule makes the horrific injuries Pip sustained, while running off-lead in 2021, even more surreal.
"It was one of the periods when we were in a semi-COVID, working-from-home environment, and I needed to send my son out for some exercise with Pip," she explained.
"They went for a run out the back of where we live, and Pip disappeared for a minute. The theory is he was probably bouncing in the long grass and impaled himself on a stick.
"My son found him and Pip was bleeding. He was bleeding significantly.
"My son managed to stem the blood and carry him to a road, where I was able to pick him up and we took him to our vet, in Curtin."
Notes from the vet clinic, posted on social media, reveal Pip was in shock on arrival and "despite the very small wound in his skin, the damage underneath was extensive".
"The stick had gone through his chest wall and severed his carotid artery, and another artery as well," Ms Grinbergs said.
"So, he had severe trauma injuries throughout his chest, including his lungs."
In critical condition, Pip was transported under general anaesthetic to the Animal Referral Hospital, where a scan revealed damaged tissue as deep as Pip's second rib.
The offending piece of wood, when it was removed, was just a few centimetres long.
"I thought it would have been a much bigger stick and there wouldn't have been anything left in the wound," Ms Grinbergs said.
"But possibly the reason he is still alive is because that small piece of stick was still in there and was keeping things closed."
Pip has lasting nerve damage and Horner syndrome in one eye, where one of his pupils no longer dilates properly.
"And, for quite a long time, he had a very severe limp because he has massive scar tissue in his chest now from the surgeries that were required," Ms Grinbergs said.
Vets warn against throwing sticks
The incident, coupled with her existing attitude, makes Ms Grinbergs wary of the 'Stick Library' trend, which invites dogs to "take a stick, borrow a stick" from local "branches".
"I don't judge people for what they do with their dogs, everyone does different things, but having seen the impact that a stick can do, even a really small stick, I'd issue caution," she said.
Veterinarians have also long argued the same, but the popularity of a stick library in Canberra's inner north has prompted a reminder.
"It's a lovely idea but I would encourage people to think about the fact that it's all fun and games until it goes really badly wrong," vet Clara Wilkins said.
"I don't think people realise how serious the damage can be."
Dr Wilkins said stick-related injuries were not "hugely common" at the Canberra Vet Hospital but when they did happen, the cases "tend to stay with you".
"Injuries can range anywhere from dogs having splinters in their mouths, to having sticks stuck within their teeth, all the way to having dogs with sticks embedded in their chest or abdominal cavities, which happens if they jump to catch a stick and land on it," she said.
Throwing the stick into the water for retrieval also does not eliminate the risk for dogs and, as Pip's case suggests, neither does downsizing to a smaller stick.
"Particularly if they're going to get splinters in their mouths or stuck in their teeth, or if they chew them and damage their throats," Dr Wilkins said.
But try telling that to a dog.
"If you think of the stereotypical 'doggo' with a stick in his mouth — that's been around for generations. And we do live in a bush territory," RSPCA ACT chief executive Michelle Robertson said.
"It's wonderful that so many people go for walks, but you can get in a situation where you're not necessarily encouraging sticks as a toy but where your dog could start chewing on a stick."
Dr Wilkins suggested encouraging dogs to play with other toys, instead of sticks, when they were quite young.
"Taking a stick away and giving them a chew toy — things like tennis balls, frisbees," she said.
"If your dog does like chasing sticks, there are a lot of plastic or rubber alternatives that you can throw."
Symptoms of a stick-related injury to a dog can include salivating heavily, pawing at their face, significant discomfort, and bleeding. Concerned owners should seek immediate veterinary care.
