My dog ate my memory card... but the images survived!

SanDisk memory card with a puppy in the background
(Image credit: Lauren Scott/SanDisk)

Most of us have heard of the excuse "the dog ate my homework," something we say when we haven't done what we meant to and then blame it on our beloved canine pals. But I'd reckon most of us wouldn't use the excuse to explain why we didn't have the images for a client.

Well, it turns out that dogs will eat anything, and last week, my young puppy nearly swallowed my memory card with a whole shoot on it.

Most photographers have worried about the images on their memory cards being stored safely before. Whether it's data corruption, losing a card or simply wear and tear, faults with memory cards and hard drives can be an expensive and stressful business. 

Heck, after losing a whole shoot due to a corrupted card, my colleague now says that he'll NEVER remove a memory card from a camera. Fortunately, I've never had to experience the pain of losing any stills or video due to a corrupted or broken memory card. But last week I got into the danger zone, as I found my 5-month old puppy chewing the important SD card full of images.

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Of course, I only discovered that it was a memory card after I'd fished out whatever the latest chewing object was from her mouth. It's usually leaves, sticks and stones, so I didn't rush to retrieve it at first.

Sandisk memory cards on colored background

(Image credit: SanDisk)

The memory card contained a portrait shoot which, needless to say, I hadn't yet imported to my iMac ready for editing in Adobe Lightroom Classic. Instead, I'd left it next to the computer and had gone to make a cup of tea. Being plastic, shiny and small, young puppy thought it the perfect chew toy.

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The card was from the SanDisk Extreme PRO SDHC range, which the company says is "temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and x-ray-proof". Funnily enough, they don't mention it being puppy-proof (although if you're a new dog owner, you'll know that few things are)!

Let's not dwell on the fact that I left the memory card (carelessly) within reaching distance of a teething puppy. What's more amazing is that the images survived and the card is still functioning to this day – even after being chomped repeatedly!

Even though the card is marketed as a rugged and professional option, I'm still very impressed that it's remained intact, apart from a few tooth marks. For me, it's proof of why you should sometimes invest in accessories including the best memory cards. And, why I'll be keep my camera kit on very tall shelves from now on!

Lauren Scott
Managing Editor

Lauren is the Managing Editor of Digital Camera World, having previously served as Editor of Digital Photographer magazine, a practical-focused publication that inspires hobbyists and seasoned pros alike to take truly phenomenal shots and get the best results from their kit. 


An experienced photography journalist who has been covering the industry for over eight years, she has also served as technique editor for both PhotoPlus: The Canon MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine and DCW's sister publication, Digital Camera Magazine


In addition to techniques and tutorials that enable you to achieve great results from your cameras, lenses, tripods and other photography equipment, Lauren can regularly be found interviewing some of the biggest names in the industry, sharing tips and guides on subjects like landscape and wildlife photography, and raising awareness for subjects such as mental health and women in photography.