The Fourth of July is a time for celebration — but for one curious pup, the holiday took an unexpected turn.

In a quiet moment at home, a playful dog got hold of a patriotic bandana and swallowed part of it. It’s the kind of thing that can happen in the blink of an eye, to even the most loving, attentive family: a piece of fabric that looks completely harmless can quickly become a dangerous foreign body — an object the body can’t digest, which can become lodged in the stomach or intestines. In this case, it meant emergency surgery to remove the obstruction and save the dog’s life.

If this has ever happened to your pet, please know you’re not alone, and it’s not a reflection of your care. Foreign body obstructions are one of the most common emergency surgeries veterinarians perform. Dogs explore the world with their mouths, and during stressful, noisy events like fireworks, even a calm, well-behaved dog may chew and swallow things they normally wouldn’t — bandanas, socks, toys, towels, corn cobs, and all kinds of everyday household objects.

A few simple ways to help keep your pet safe

• Remove scarves, bandanas, and other loose accessories when your pet isn’t being supervised.
• Keep tempting household items out of paw’s reach.
• Offer safe chew toys and a calm, secure space during fireworks and other stressful events.
• Watch for warning signs — vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, or repeated attempts to vomit — and seek veterinary care right away if you notice them.