Monday, August 26, 2019

The Dangers of Recliners

*This article originally appeared on Barking from the Bayou on August 2, 2018. We are on vacation and will return on September 2, 2019.
Me: “I’m going to be totally honest with you right from the start of this post. I struggled with whether I should share this story. I feel so horrible about what happened but as a blogger, I feel it’s my responsibility to tell you my mistake in hopes of preventing you from doing the same thing.”
Living Room
Bentley Basset Hound: “Are you going to tell them about how you tried to kill me in my sleep the other night?”
Me: “Yes, I mean…no, I did not try to kill you but yes, I am going to tell them what happened.
   First of all, one of the exciting things about moving was getting to buy a new sofa and chair. We have had a recliner sofa and loveseat forever so that is what we wanted. This is the set we chose, and it is wonderful. It’s super comfy, big and drool wipes right off the fabric. 
   The oversized chair is a manual recliner, but they were out of the manual sofa at the time we needed it. They made us an offer on the power recliner sofa that we couldn’t refuse. Besides, with my arthritic knees, a power sofa is much easier. Long story short, I love the furniture.”
Bentley: “Blah, blah, blah…get to the attempted murder of your favorite Basset Hound. Make it really dramatic when you confess. I need to feel the fear and sadness in your story.”
Me: “Your dad and I discussed how important it was to make sure neither you or Pierre were under the couch when we lowered them. We had been diligent about until this weekend. You boys had been outside playing and when you came in, Pierre laid down on his bed in the living room. I could have sworn you walked into the office.”
Bentley: “Are you telling the court that you saw me, the victim, walk past and go into the BFTB headquarters at the front of the house? That sounds very sketchy. You wouldn’t be trying to make excuses for what could have very well been the death of me? You swore under oath to be completely honest.”
Basset sleeping UNDER recliner
Me: “This isn’t a court of law. I’m just trying to tell our friends how YOU got under the reclined part of the couch and went sound to sleep. That is a very dangerous place to snooze. I’ve warned you about sleeping there when the couch is reclined. Anyway, I looked to confirm that Pierre was still in his bed and began to lower my side of the couch. That is when I heard you screaming.
   I immediately stopped and hit the reverse button while hollering for your daddy. I just knew I had crippled you for life or worse. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced.”
Bentley: “You think you were scared??! I was in the middle of a sweet dream where me and Emma…never mind. It was a very rude and startling way to wake up! Did you like how I just got out and rolled over? It gave you quite a jolt, didn’t it?”
Me: “I was literally shaking. We are so fortunate that you weren’t injured or worse, killed. I couldn’t find any statistics to how many pets are injured annually by power recliner, regular recliners or lift chairs but there are numerous articles about incidents that ended tragically.”
Basset and woman
Bentley: “It is a good thing that you ‘fessed up to your mistake. Pierre and I think if we were allowed to sleep on the new furniture this would not even be an issue.”
Me: “Don’t start with me about that. The furniture is too high for you to climb up on and you could hurt your back jumping off. Pierre could easily jump off and on but that wouldn’t be fair to you. That’s why y'all aren't allowed on the furniture. Besides, there are two extremely nice beds right beside us.”
Bentley: “Whatever, I’m taller than I look. Back to my near-death experience. I’m sure all our readers love their dogs and cats as much as you love us so now they know to be extra careful when they lower their recliners. I’ll try not to give you too hard of a time about it. I know you feel bad. You didn’t have your sights set on Mother of the Year, did you? I’m asking for a friend.”
Me: “You are a real laugh riot! Seriously, I am so thankful that you are okay, and we are working on a solution. Until then, we do a doggy headcount before we even think about lowering our chairs. I’d like to say that you’ve learned your lesson but from the photos above, that simply is not the case. We never want to experience that terror again!

   Have you ever had an incident like this at your house? What was your solution? I’d love to hear from you in the comments."
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12 comments :

  1. Bentley we feel with you... to ruin such a sweet dream... humans huh?

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  2. Don't feel bad, Bentley. I'm only allowed on the recliner when mom is sitting on it and it's her lap that I'm sitting on and it only happens during thunderstorms or fireworks. To be honest - she never reclines her chair. How nutty is that!

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  3. Mom don't beat yourself up over this....Bentley all is well that ends well and thank goodness for you set of hound LUNGS!!
    Our first cat was HORRIBLE about doing this too he was quick to move so we never actually closed him up but he did get in the floppy back side of the recliner once when I was trying to get him in his PTU. I had no clue he knew how to do that
    Hugs Cecilia

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  4. No recliners in my house. Instead, we have an ottoman, so everyone can put their feet up no matter where they sit. The only problem I have with that set of furniture is that my tennis balls roll under them all the time.

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  5. OH NOES! Thank you for sharing your scary experience, and glad that there was a happy ending.
    P.S. I ordered Treatable Chews for Cats just now; they had sent me a sampler package, and Angel and Sweetie LURV them! The Hubby is staying out of it, but I know that my lady cats need some assistance with their old hip bones. Thanks for the discount!

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  6. I appreciate your honesty. I am so glad Bentley is OK. This is a very important warning.

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  7. Oh no...poor Bentley. Sadly, a similar mishap nearly occurred at my parents' house. Luckily their reclining love seat is manual and the noise woke Sam up so he didn't get pinched or smushed.

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  8. The main problem with the recliner here, is the human doesn't get much of a chance to use it! But we are careful about dogs.

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  9. That was such a scary thing, but so glad everyone is OK. I probably told you about the time our cat got closed up in the sofa bed. Luckily there was extra space in there so he was fine.
    Really, sometimes you just can't think up all the bad things that can happen. You just never know. It's great that you shared this so others can be aware. ♥
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  10. We've done that many times at our house. They shouldn't lay there, right?

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  11. We're very careful about doing a headcount before they get lowered.

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  12. Oh my gosh. That must have been so scary! We are glad Bentley is okay!

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