I love my dog as I know a lot of STW'ers love there's.
He is part of the family and in some ways like a best friend.
So, yesterday we were out having a nice trail run together, he stopped for a drink at the normal spot. However due to high water level he suddenly got taken and washed down river, I didn't have time to grab him and had to bash down the embankment to find him. He was trapped under a fallen tree, totally pinned and kept going under. I couldn't reach him from land, so I dived in too save his ass. Thankfully I managed to get under the trunk and too him, then back under the trunk with him and on to the bank then eventually home and dry.
Please understand, I'm not trying to come across all David Hassellhoff here, it really shocked me afterwards and the reason for sharing this is that I'm shocked at the general reaction so far by family and friends, " you shouldn't have gone after him," "90% of people who try and rescue the dog drown themselves" and "the dogs normally manage to find a way out etc etc" I mean wtf, he is a dog not a ball or toy that can easy be replaced and I love the little guy, what would you have done, if it was yours?????? And please keep away from the rivers folks. Cheers Macca
I'd jump off a sea wall in a storm to save my dog without a moments hesitation.
Although the little traitor snuggled up to my visiting dad all night as he had the new fleecy blanket on his bed....
I'd have tried my best from the bank. However watching him drown in that situation as opposed to being washed down stream may have made me do something stupid such as you did. Very hard one to judge unless you were there. Well done though and pick some numbers tonight. Glad you're both ok!
You only hear about the times people don't survive having tried to rescue their dog. You got out unharmed and with your dog that's what's important. Tell your friends to get out more. Well done.
Oh and pics of the dog please, it's the done thing round here.
I haven't had a dog for years but I'd have been in there even if wasn't mine. Well done you.
Agghh... that is such a tough one, I dread being in that position. if I could see the dog, then yes I suspect I would. But equally as an ex white water kayaker who has lost a friend, and seen too many near misses, with pinning on tree trunks it would be a hard call.
Really happy it worked for you. Guess everyone has to make their own call with this.
Yes I would without hesitation. Even if it wasn't mine. And I can't swim.
Oh man that's a tough one. Like wrightyson I think I would have tried from the bank but that's only because I'm not a confident swimmer, however unless you are in that situation I don't think you can really say what you'd do in the heat of the moment. I glad you are both safe and well.
First off, glad you rescued your dog, and it was all ok, but yeah "mostly" it's a bad idea. Can't say I wouldn't do the same though
I'd have gone in. If it happened to one of my dogs I wouldn't hesitate.
I couldn't stand there watching, doing nothing.
To some people they are just dogs but to those who have them they are so much more.
Well done on the rescue. Extra bonio for him 🙂
I think what you did was really stupid, but I would have certainly done the same.
Please understand, I'm not trying to come across all David Hassellhoff here, it really shocked me afterwards and the reason for sharing this is that I'm shocked at the general reaction so far by family and friends, " you shouldn't have gone after him," "90% of people who try and rescue the dog drown themselves" and "the dogs normally manage to find a way out etc etc" I mean wtf, he is a dog not a ball or toy that can easy be replaced and I love the little guy, what would you have done, if it was yours?????? And please keep away from the rivers folks. Cheers Macca
Not here to pass judgement, but my best friend very nearly lost his pet and his dad thanks to just such a situation at Rivington when I was a kid, so in an objective world, yes, it probably wasn't very sensible. But as you say, this is a pretty subjective situation, and objective thinking (possibly rightly) goes out of the window in such situations.
I understand what you did but what would be said to the family of the man who drowned trying to save you when you got into trouble trying to save your dog? The reason people are told not to attempt dodgy rescues is that they can turn a tragedy into a disaster.
I love my dogs and would do exactly the same even though it would be a massive struggle with the big guy as he is 9 stone. In the cold light of day however and everyone being risk averse its very easy to recommend not to do something. Stupid as its only a dog, yes. Stupid as you could have died, definitely. But your both here fit and well to tell your tale so a great outcome and well done.
andyl +1 luckily though getting my dogs into water is no mean feat!
Did you film it on GoPro #You've been Framed
Thanks guys, really appreciate that as I was pretty down yesterday after the whole thing and the reaction of folks, but I knew I could rely on you guys to tell it how it is, cheers all. For the record I'm a strong swimmer/surfer and was shocked by how strong the under current was compared to the surface speed of the water and also the power pinning at the tree trunk, please take care out folks.
In the cold light of day a stupid thing to do.
However, I couldn't of watched either of my 2 die without helping.
I would jump in, in the same way as if it was a child. I know it's not the same but if you own a dog you get very attached. Besides the Mrs would kill me if I came home without them!
Oh and pics of the dog please, it's the done thing round here.
Yeah, come on!
My daughter actually (who's only 11) said something the other day about water rescue which i was very impressed with. It was, that the best form of rescue is non contact rescue.
She's obviously learning something at lifesaving.
However watching him drown in that situation as opposed to being washed down stream may have made me do something stupid such as you did
+ 1 to wrighty's comment. Whilst I do think jumping in is generally a dumb idea if they are just being taken down stream, I'm not sure I could stand around watching my dog drown
If I'd been your friends and family I'd probably have shared the opinion that it wasn't a good thing to do, although I do understand how we react in these situations sometimes.
Dogs are much more easily replaceable than fathers, sons or husbands.
non contact rescue
Good idea but not sure how that would work with a dog?
A couple of years ago the wife was out with the kids and dogs when the westie went through some thin ice on the canal ....chasing ducks! She tried to get to him but he was too far away. She found a huge fallen branch and managed to break a path in the ice that he followed to the bank. This is however after he trod water for over 20mins. The emergency services were called and so was I at work. When I arrived there were no fewer than 4 fire engines, a rescue boat and about a hundred on lookers. It was quite a relief when I saw her walking along the bank with the bedraggled little dog wrapped in her coat. I think the fire brigade were within their right to bill us but the didn't.
She had said that if the kids hadn't been with her she would have gone in after him.
Yeah appreciate its not gonna be a great winner with the dog unless you tie his favourite stick to a piece of rope but it was just a general thought when rescuing other adults/kids etc.
I like the thought that she knows to stay on dry land as long as possible.
why don't people keep their dogs on the lead when nearby water is dangerous?
why don't people keep their dogs on the lead when nearby water is dangerous?
Agreed.
A work colleague of my wife a few years back was killed, as was her husband. He dived in after the dog and got into trouble, she went in after him. Result - Both gone, a baby in a pram left on the path without parents, and the dog died too.
I wouldn't judge as I've never been in the situation, but it's something that goes through my mind every time I hear of something similar.
Very, very sad. Good to hear you're ok though OP.
I’d have done the same for all the same reasons. You did a good thing, you saved your buddy. Must have been very scary, glad you're both unscathed. Extra Schmackos all round!
Glad it turned out ok for you.
It didn't turn out so well for the guy who drowned in Newton Abbot by entering a swollen river to rescue his dog on christmas eve.
I also saw a young boy get swept into the sea at Teignmouth on Christmas eve by a particularly large wave, fortunately he was able to scramble back onto the shore between sets.
If our dog couldn't get out, I'd have no chance. He swims, scrambles 100x better than me.
Glad your story had a happy ending.
Yep, would've done the same.
However, not in Yellowstone (visited the hot springs a few years ago and remember the warning signs around the springs - http://www.snopes.com/horrors/freakish/hotspring.asp )
Really glad you helped doggy, and you didnt drown and nobody tried /had to jump in to save you,go to your house and tell your relatives youd drowned.
But as they say a dog is for life not just for christmas, well done.
I have done the same... My rotty was getting old. I'd taken him up to the water fall and he went to his normal
Spot for a drink. Got washed away in a very similar manner I went straight in after him. We were in the water no longer than 2 minutes and it was one of the scariest things that has ever happened to me.
Massive karma to you mate !!
I'm not an animal lover...in fact, I reckon there is no need for them in a house...however, I completely understand the reaction and I'm pretty sure I'd have done exactly the same thing if it were mine. As much as pets aren't human children, to their owners they are, and parents will do anything to help their children - your action sounds perfectly acceptable to me...in fact if you hadn't done that and the dog drowned and you posted on here, I'd be asking you why you didn't jump in and try to save him.
My step-mum is a dog lover and had dogs all her life, so I've seen the bond that can be achieved and I completely understand it - I don't have it myself and can't be bothered with animals but I don't have an issue with others doing what they would do for their child.
Edit: Just re-read that...that sounds rather heavy...sorry folks.
Massive [s]karma[/s] korma to you mate
😀
Stupid thing to do, but I'd probably do the same..
I hate to break with the cosy reassuring consensus here, but.... I've always thought that, far from being intelligent creatures, as is often claimed, dogs are probably the most mindless and profoundly thick creatures on the planet. Then I look at the people who generally tend to own them, and I have to revise my opinion. They're actually only the second most stupid creature.
There was a story the on the news only 2 days ago about someone dying in a swollen river trying to rescue his mutt. I thought at the time 'what kind of brain dead imbecile would do something that stupid?'
Now I know. Thanks for confirming all my assumptions about the relative intelligence of all gods creatures.
Have you ever considered keeping goldfish. Less hassle, cleverer, and considerably less life threatening.
Have you ever considered keeping goldfish. Less hassle, cleverer, and considerably less life threatening.
ATleast goldfish can swim and when they die you can eat them.
If it was a sausage roll from Greg's you'd be in there in a shot.. 🙄 no doggy korma for you...
A couple of years ago the wife was out with the kids and dogs when the westie went through some thin ice on the canal ....chasing ducks! She tried to get to him but he was too far away. She found a huge fallen branch and managed to break a path in the ice that he followed to the bank. This is however after he trod water for over 20mins. The emergency services were called and so was I at work. When I arrived there were no fewer than 4 fire engines, a rescue boat and about a hundred on lookers. It was quite a relief when I saw her walking along the bank with the bedraggled little dog wrapped in her coat. I think the fire brigade were within their right to bill us but the didn't.
She had said that if the kids hadn't been with her she would have gone in after him.
I'm gonna sound a bit 'Daily Mail' here - but what a massive waste of public resources, and all because your wife didn't keep the dog on the lead. Why do so many dog owners think it's ok to have dogs off the lead when they have no control over them?
Yes I would without hesitation. Even if it wasn't mine. And I can't swim.
😕
My disabled MIL (walks with 2 walking sticks) jumped in the river Chelmer after my dog slipped in (my dog is 10 stone.....), she then got stuck herself and both had to be rescued by a very nice chap on his way back from work
In the all the commotion she lost her £2,000 diamond bracelet, least I could do was replace it. Never did get to thank the chap as he went about his business once he ensured both MIL and dog where ok
In the heat of the moment I'd probably do the same without thinking of the risks til it was too late and realised how stupid I was! Luckily you got out of it ok though, glad you and the dog are safe 🙂
Christ on a bendybus! I can't work out if you lot are interfering with Darwinism, or helping it along?
Count your blessings and learn your lesson (keep it under control)...
I'm with binners on this one. I'd like to think I wouldn't risk leaving my two kids without a dad to save a pet that was dumb enough to get itself in that situation. But in the heat of the moment who knows....
