There are many things in the household that can leave people in peril: gas ovens left on without a flame; plug sockets that are hanging off the wall with wires exposed.
Something electric dropped into a bath of water. All of them potentially deadly.
But, as EastEnders proved this week, a family pet can be just as dangerous.
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In Monday’s episode, Dot Branning suffered a household accident that left her hitting on the floor and desperate for help.
Having packed away a rather tasty looking rum cake for Patrick’s birthday, she tripped over her pet cat Dave. (Potential death-by-cat!)
Unable to keep balance, Dot crashed into a chair and hit the ground, sending that scrummy cake flying.
In shock and pain – and because she is, like, a million years old – Dot was unable to move or get back on her feet and as the duff-duff sounded, and viewers were left wondering whether Dot was a goner or not.
So last night millions of viewers tuned in to find out if Dot had indeed survived the fall and were pleased to discover that she was still breathing.
However, it was clear that she was in a bad way and in need of some urgent medical assistance.
As the ep progressed, viewers were literally beside themselves with worry wondering if anyone was going to come Dot’s rescue or if indeed she was going to meet her maker.
Viewers watched as a helpless Dot lay on the floor waiting desperately for someone to help, with that pesky cat of hers sniffing around her without a care in the world.
But for much of the time it looked like there was no hope.
When the phone in the hallway started to ring, Dot was unable to answer it because she was in such pain she couldn’t get up off the floor.
All the while viewers were screaming at their tellies for someone to help poor Dot.
“Genuinely in tears watching Dot on #eastenders,” one distressed fan told other social media users watching the episode, while another said: “Dot and the cat on eastenders is absolutely killing me.”
Another shared: “I’m getting fairly stressed and upset over Dot’s storyline. Someone go help her!”
A fourth fan admitted they were finding it hard to keep it together as they watched the old biddy going through such tough time, writing; “Mate i am sobbing at dot on the floor with dave the cat. #EastEnders.”
When Patrick Trueman came a-calling and started knocking on her door, viewers were relieved as it looked like someone had finally come to the rescue.
But alas, no!
While Dot tried to call out for help, her cries were drowned out by loud music being played by neighbours and so thinking Dot wasn’t home, Patrick went about his business with Denise in tow.
As viewers wondered whether or not we were about to say “ta-ra” to our beloved Dot, suddenly in came Sonia Jackson, who after having been away for some time, luckily still had a key to Dot’s house.
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When she saw Dot lying on the floor, the trained nurse remained very calm and immediately jumped into action, wrapping Dot in a blanket and assured her that she would never be left alone again as she was back!