Lynette wrote to me saying "I hope your website does deter people from throwing sticks.  But some people won't learn from others' experiences.  I know because I was one of them ! I was warned not to throw sticks for my border collie Freya.  Told horror stories of dogs that had been blinded by a falling stick.  So what did I do? I threw sticks for Freya.  I was careful, and she did so enjoy it. I was convinced that Freya wasn't in any danger. 

I discovered how dangerous this was while killing time at a Southdowns Agility show at Netley. It was in the days when clear rounds were a rarity and a place unheard of but on this particular day, Freya had done a clear round and there was a chance she might get placed. The results were after lunch so there was an hour to wait. I was throwing sticks on the smooth fast grass at the Royal Victoria Park, one of which bowled end on pointed end. At the time I did not realise that Freya had overrun it and that it had pierced her tongue from underneath. We carried on playing although I thought Freya seemed a bit subdued, gathered our clear round rosette - just missing a place in Novice Jumping and I went home feeling very pleased with our day.

Needless to say I've never thrown another stick.  But 5 years later Freya still remembers that chasing sticks is fun and will pick up sticks and present them to strangers.  They take the stick, but I tell them to leave it and explain why so they don't throw sticks for their own dogs!"