I'd like to bring to light something that I doubt many people think about when it comes to our pets.

It was brought to my attention by a former client, who noted there is danger lurking in our homes and increasing daily. One would never suspect the type of harm that can be done to our pets by an appliance we use weekly, if not daily. Most of us have heard of cats being accidentally trapped in clothes dryers but with the introduction of the new, larger capacity washers and dryers a new danger exists as more and more people are purchasing these appliances.

My former client had a beautiful Chihuahua that was the beloved family pet for many years. They were aware that she loved to cuddle and loved to be covered up with a blanket. She would often be found under the covers on one of the girls' beds.

They were so happy after purchasing their new, large front-loading washer and dryer. With three children, the amount of laundry generated was huge. They had company coming soon and were washing all the household bedding. They had each child bring their bed sheets, blankets and comforters and all the laundry was sorted and laying in piles in the laundry room. Grandma was visiting and there was a lot of excitement and activity in the house. A load of laundry was moved from washer to dryer and then a pile picked up and placed in the washer ... not a sound was made. The door was closed and the cycle began. They all left the house to go out for lunch with Grandma.

Upon their return, they immediately noticed the little dog was missing. She normally would have greeted them as soon as they came home. A frantic search ensued. The neighborhood was searched ... after a thorough search in the house. Finally, the mother asked the grandmother if she would look in the washer and dryer ... sadly, she was found in the washer. The mother was inconsolable, because she was the one who had picked up the pile of laundry and put it in the washer. It was a horrible event for the children to witness as well.

Since these large-capacity, front loading washer/dryer combinations are becoming more and more popular, I want folks to be aware of the danger and take precautions, such as picking up the laundry and putting it in piece by piece, or stirring the laundry around with your hand before starting the load. The older top-loading type washers wouldn't have allowed this to happen as the agitator would have blocked putting a large bundle in all at once.

Most of the Chihuahuas and other toy breeds that I see in my practice also like to be kept warm and like to hide under blankets and covers, according to their owners.

Please take time to keep your pet safe if you own a set of these new, larger front-loading appliances and even if you have one of the older models, check before you start the dryer if you have loaded it and then left it unattended for any period of time. A cat will jump in to investigate and a dog might, too. I pray this saves just one pet from such a horrible death, and I hope all pet owners will be extra cautious when using these appliances.

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(Dr. Lynne Sandifar is a veterinarian at Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital. Questions for this column are encouraged. Write to South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach MS 39560 and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.)