Review on GoodBoy Pink Inflatable Donut E-Collar For Dogs & Cats – Comfortable Post Surgery Or Wound Recovery Collar (2) by Abdulkarim Sugge

My 76-lb, rescued, female Boxer, MINI (age 8 yrs old), had lateral suture surgery to repair a ruptured cruciate ligament. She was in so much pain she barely moved at all for the first 2 days, just slept. Thus, I left her E collar off during that time. After 2 days she became very aware of her (unwrapped) surgical wound, and especially her shaved front Right forearm where her surgical IV was placed. She licked her R forearm (when I wasn't watching) nearly raw. Far less often Mini would lick her surgical wound. That's when I put Mini's clear, plastic E collar on (w/velcro attachments), which worked to prevent her from licking. However, everytime her collar hit the corner of the wall, furniture, or even a pillow, it hurt her neck and stopped her in her tracks, subjecting her legs to undue strain. She was already in so much pain, I didn't want her E collar causing more. That's when I did a search on Anazon for "soft E collar". After reading the descriptions & reviews for 10 soft E collars, I decided to order the (soft, inflatable) GoodBoy Comfortable Recovery E Collar, which arrived in the morning 2 days later. I read the instructions and descriptive materials that came in the package. I wove Mini's (regular) dog collar through the provided loops and easily inflated the collar. I then removed the plastic E collar, and immediately replaced it with the GoodBoy collar. I placed it around Mini's neck and secured it using her regular dog collar, attaching it at the back of her neck (adjacent to her back), then secured & tightened the strap on the collar. Mini's reaction was "ho-hum"; I think she was simply relieved NOT to be wearing the hard, plastic E collar. In fact, she was sitting on the sofa when I put the GoodBoy collar on her. LITERALLY, within 1 minute she fell asleep, using her new soft collar as a pillow.I was a little concerned that, due to her size, she may be able to reach her forearm and/or the 4-inch surgical wound on her R knee with her tongue. Amazingly, she hasn't even tried. One of the best things about the GoodBoy collar is that it IS soft, so when Mini hits it on the corner of the walls or the furniture, she just keeps going because it doesn't hurt. Plus, just as she did when I first put it on her, Mini uses it as a pillow when she naps. She's had NO problems eating or drinking with the GoodBoy collar on. Fortunately, Mini is a neat eater & drinker. If I any food or drool gets on the collar, I simply clean it with a damp cloth. (That said, if I should ever need to use the GoodBoy collar on Buddy, our 86-lb. male Boxer, I'm quite certain he would get food, water & drool all over it. Fortunately, the cover is removable & washable.)PROS:- minimal packing materials- excellent printed descriptive info & instructions enclosed with product- easy to attach regular dog collar to E Collar- easy to inflate- easy to put on & secure to dog's neck- soft collar precludes pain or discomfort when it hits against wall or furniture- Mini able to eat & drink with ease- easily cleaned with damp cloth- removable & washableCONS (my wishes):- I wish the inflatable mouthpiece could easily recede into itself (like on a beach ball) so that it doesn't stick out with the potential for eventually wearing through the fabric (If the mouthpiece DOES recede into itself, I was unable to figure out how.)- I wish the zipper was locared on the side (instead of the front) of the pillow. (As currently configured, the zipper sits on the "front" of the collar, directly below Mini's mouth.)- I wish the zipper pull could recess farther into the end of the zipper cover. (As currently configured, the end of the zipper pull tab sticks out slightly.)OVERALL IMPRESSION: Best E Collar I've tried for 8 dogs (all of whom have had at least 1 surgery) over 28 years. Great product. Great value. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!