Andrea Rosebrock 
This is not something that would normally be thought of as a danger to dogs but it most definitely can be, especially to smaller breed dogs and any other small pets. I’m sure we can all think of appliances that could be a danger, off the top of my head I would say the lawn mower, but how about washer and dryer??
This story really got my attention because about a year or so ago we replaced our old washer and dryer with a new front load washer set. Being the owner of two cats as well as the dogs, I’ve learned the lesson of checking inside anything that the cats can get themselves into before I close doors, etc. They have always loved to climb inside the dryer if I happen to leave the door open so I always take a peek inside before turning it on.
Now this story could be about just about any family. I know when I am doing laundry, I gather everything, dump in on the floor in front of the machines, sort it into loads and proceed to do laundry, grabbing one pile and stuffing into the washer, which is very easy with one of these front loaders, no agitator in your way to have to work around or anything, just stuff, close door, add detergent and softener, turn on and go.
Imagine being the owner of a small dog. You’re doing laundry and it’s not until a while later you notice your pooch missing. Frantically you search around the house, the yard, then the neighborhood thinking that there may be some way your beloved dog got out of the house. Then, for some reason, a thought pops in your head, a horrible thought.
You dash to your washing machine and start ripping the wet laundry out and there you find your beloved missing dog. Somehow he got caught up in the laundry, he liked to snuggle in the piles of clothes and in your rush to get things done, you didn’t notice, he made no sound as you stuffed your laundry in and one inside, he had no chance.
No, this is not something that would be a common worry, but it is something to think about so if you do have small pets, especially if they like to cuddle in soft piles of laundry or linens, take extra care. Most likely this would not be as possible with a washer with an agitator because you can’t stuff a large armload of laundry in but if you have a front loader, take that extra minute, for your pet’s sake!
thankfully, even with 6 kids, we never ran into this problem. but, did you ever take eggs right from the goose, wash them and then have your 4 yr. old put them in the dryer to “help” them dry so you could use them for breakfast? i hope not cause it makes an aawweeffuull mess!
@bernice – I gotta tell ya, that is one of the funniest things I have ever heard!! OMG! I bet that was a mess. Definitely a story you will be able to tell for a long time and always get chuckles!
Two years ago I came home from shopping, scooped up a load of laundry & threw it in the washer. I left the house again & did not come home until later that evening. I went to put the laundry in the dryer & when I did I found the dead body of my baby ferret, Foxy. I could not even function. My husband had to take over & bury her. It was the most horrible day of my life. Not only had my ferret died but I felt that I had murdered her. If only I had shaken out the clothes, paid more attention or went back in to add another piece of clothing she would not have died such a horrible death. Foxy drowned because I didn’t take the time to check the clothes. I shake out every article of clothing now & I tell everyone else w/ small animals to do the same.
Thanks for posting this. I hope that it will help others be aware.
I have the same type washer and I always make sure it is empty before I start a load of laundry. Deanna, I know you had to feel terrible about your little ferret, but you didn’t know. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.
@Deanna – I can sympathize with you a bit. In doing this story in brought back a memory from a very long time ago, an incident like this. As a very small child, we used to have white mice as pets and somehow someone must not have closed the cage completely. Anyway, I remember looking for them and later in the day my mother found them. As small as they were, they also got caught up in the laundry and tossed in the washer.
As a small child, this was totally devastating and it’s something that even now still sticks with me. I am so sorry you have to deal with the pain of this too.
Perhaps sharing the story will make sure someone else doesn’t go through the same thing.
I agree, this is a very good story in that people will be more cautious around their washing machines; plus, let’s not forget the dogs who have lost their tongues in paper shredders set to “Auto”.