Dogs do not really let go of their routines. It does not matter whether they are young or deep into their senior years, familiar habits still feel like home to them.
Nicole Michelle, a dog owner in New York, got a very clear reminder of that thanks to her thirteen year old dog, Bruiser, who somehow turned an ordinary bathroom trip into complete backyard chaos.
The whole mess came down to one thing, his beloved routine.
Bruiser always used the exact same spot out back. It was his place, his system, his nonnegotiable little corner of the world. But this time, that area had been blocked off because of deck construction.
Bruiser, however, had no interest in accepting that change quietly.
A Potty Mishap No One Saw Coming
Bruiser has enjoyed his golden years with plenty of comfort, and there is nothing about his life he would want to change.
When Nicole and her boyfriend went out of town recently, they asked a friend to care for Bruiser overnight. The job sounded simple, with only one key rule: keep him away from the backyard while construction was ongoing.
Instead, the friend was instructed to let him go in the front yard. But Bruiser had other plans.
Being a creature of habit, the 100-pound dog refused to accept any change to his potty routine. His sitter tried to guide him elsewhere, keeping him on a leash to prevent any trouble, but Bruiser had his own idea.
He pulled in the opposite direction and ended up tumbling straight into one of the deep holes dug for the deck footings.
In an instant, Bruiser was wedged tightly inside the hole. His large frame filled it completely, making it impossible for his sitter to lift him out. She tried everything, but Bruiser was stuck fast.
Thankfully, help arrived quickly. Animal control officers and members of the Baldwin Volunteer Fire Company, a volunteer group from New York, responded to the scene within minutes.
After about an hour and a half of careful work, rescuers widened the hole enough to pull Bruiser free. Despite his little adventure, he emerged unharmed and back on his feet.
“We don’t just help people we help our furry friends too. This morning crews were dispatched to assist Elmira Animal Control to rescue a dog. Upon arrival crews found “Bruiser” in quite a predicament as he had fallen into a post hole. Bruiser was quickly extricated from the hole unharmed,” the New York organization shared on Facebook.
Back Home Like Nothing Happened
When Nicole heard about Bruiser’s unexpected accident, she rushed home early from her trip. Thankfully, he was safe and without a single injury.
Even more amusingly, he acted as if nothing had happened at all.
“Thanks everyone!!! He’s totally fine & acting like nothing even happened 🤦🏻♀️ we’re very appreciative for all of those who helped our old man today,” Nicole wrote in the comments.
Bruiser’s funny little misadventure serves as a lighthearted reminder that even senior dogs can get themselves into trouble when they stick too closely to their routines. Sometimes, a “potty break” can turn into quite the story.