Civic Long Weekend Ends With Freak Accident - Everyone is OK

This year, like every year, I went to the summer cottage for the annual regatta.  There was alcohol, songs by the campfire, BBQ, etc.  Sunday morning I decided to take the canoe out and I brought my dog Bandit.  The scenery and silence was very peaceful. Bandit was hot so I shielded him from the sun with extra life jackets and dripped some cold lake water on his back.  I snapped this picture while we were canoeing:

After dinner I decided to go home.  The drive wasn't too bad and we made it home safely.  After unloading some things into my condo I took Bandit out for a walk.  I let Bandit run to the elevator with his leash dragging behind him while I locked the door.  I got lost in thought while we were waiting for the elevator, and then the door opened.  We entered, I pressed G for ground, then I stared at my sunburned face in the mirror.   A second or two later I heard a thump.  I turned around, and Bandit was gone!  I looked up and to my horror he was hanging by the neck near the ceiling at the top right of the elevator door. My primal instinct was to scream in terror.  I probably screamed two or three times before pulling myself together enough to figure out how to save him.  First I checked to see if his head was still in the elevator because I could only see his legs and body. It was.  Next I lifted him a bit to hopefully help him breath, then I was able to unclip his collar.  He landed in my arms and appeared fine. No choking, no shaking, no whining... it was like nothing had happened.  I could hear people in another elevator saying "What the f*** is going on???" because of my screaming.  The hairs on the backs of their necks must have stood up on end because the way I was screaming made it clear that I was truly terrified... like death was imminent.

When we got to the ground floor the door opened, and Bandit's leash was all wound up in the door jam.  I was able to pull it out easily, then I carried Bandit over to the security desk.  I put him down, re-attached the collar then told the security guard what just happened.  I also told him that if anyone reports screaming, it was me.  A moment later another elevator door opened and a crowd of people came out.  I figure they were the same people that said "What the f*** is going on???".  They probably had no idea it was me as they walked by, or that it is even possible for a man to scream like that :)  My throat still hurts a few hours later.

Bandit seems totally fine.  He pulled me along the walk as usual, didn't hesitate to get back in the elevator, ate some food, drank water, and slept on the floor.  I think I'm more traumatized by this incident than he is!  I will now be very conscious of his leash when using the elevator, and will educate other dog owners about the potential danger.