Hard to say, but I think he did the "correct thing" at the start, followed the dog down river, (you hear people jumping in straight away!)
But then when he saw the dog in real trouble he weighed up his options, first post I would say he was VERY stupid, but then he let slip in another post he a good swimmer and surfer so I sure he took that into account.
So I put it down to been a bit stupid to go in after the dog.
Glad you are both OK, enjoy your next trail blast with the dog (away from rivers?) 😆
WOW there are some overly harsh words from some.
Maybe it wasnt the wisest desision but that is what it is to be human. Live and learn you are both alright and thats the main thing. Glad it turned out alight!
OP, you were fortunate in getting out and have probably now had time to consider the consequences for your family if this had not been the case.
Swift water is hard enough to cope with even if you have the experience - I'm sure the pinning force was something of a shock (hats off to all you paddlers). Coming from more than a few years of Scottish Mountain Rescue and being Swif****er Rescue Technician qualified, I can happily say that in my experience water is much scarier than a thousand feet of exposure or anything firm ground can throw at you.
Giving advice about such things is never easy but I would offer the following.
Take ten seconds to view any hazardous situation objectively and ask "What if?"
Regardless, I can understand that it must have been a highly emotive moment and well done for having the capability to get yourself and mutt out safely.
Glad you and your dog are ok. Very difficult situation which is why lifeguard training is very specific. From the outset, you need to step away from the natural reaction and this is where training is required as it is UNNATURAL. One of the first rules of life saving is to ensure that you do not put your or other lives at risk. If that means losing an animal or another person, then so be it.
Rescuing dogs is sadly too common a cause of human deaths and the main lessons are that dogs are more likely to survive in the water than humans. As noted above a guy lost his life in the Rothay by Ambleside a few days ago. It sounds simple but obviously is not at all. But the best advice remains, resist jumping in the water to save anyone until all other options are exhausted and even then, think hard about your safety first.
often a man may show his humanity through his attitude towards animals. some revelatory comments here.
glad everyone came out safe and well OP. horrible situation to be in.
Nope. I think people diving in after pets are daft.
If my dog was in difficulty I'd find it had to resist but I have to kids, I'd rather they had a dad than me have a dog.
Like teamhurtmore says, it's a very last resort. I was a lifeguard for a few years and the actual event of jumping in heroically to save someone is less than you think (or perhaps I was just lucky). Generally there's a fair bit that can be done without putting yourself into deaths jaws as well.
often a man may show his humanity through his attitude towards animals. some revelatory comments here
I'm not sure you understand our point. Losing a parent, a son or a partner is a terrible thing. This is what I am arguing against, and it is from a humanitarian point of view.
So don't accuse me of lack of humanity.
Depends on the situation but wouldn't risk leaving my kids without a dad over a dog.
people do it, people regularly die doing it.
often a man may show his humanity through his attitude towards animals. some revelatory comments here
worth dying and depriving your family of a loved one to save something people eat? Applying a bit of perspective in the cold light of day doesnt make someone inhumane, nor does acting recklessly with no thought of the consequences in the heat of the moment, fuelled by adrenaline and emotion make you humane.
Some of us on here are the people who risk their lives trying to save you when youve risked yours...
As a fireman:
Professional view- Dogs mostly manage to self rescue, have been to jobs with dogs through ice where I've refused to commit crews due to no known location for the dog and risk of losing a ff through the ice..
As a dog owner- I imagine I'd jump in everytime, very very hard not too!
Stay safe out there folks
If that had been our dog my wife would have kicked me in to save it.
If I'd have died saving it, well, cest la vie.
Beaten by Samurai!
If I'd have died saving it, well, cest la vie
Wow.
My wife would not let me go in after a dog!
I've done a lot of white water kayaking and white water rescue training. I wouldn't jump in even if there was a person involved, trees and fast flowing water are a very easy way to die. The pressure exerted by even relatively slow moving water will drag you under no bother. I can understand why you jumped in but you were very lucky. You need to do your best to help without putting yourself in serious danger.
Makes you think doesnt it. No idea what I'd do. My dogs terrified of water so doubt it'll ever happen!
Binners, I find people who dont like dogs are mostly dead on the inside.
Binners, I find people who dont like dogs are mostly dead on the inside.
I hope that's tongue in cheek - otherwise it's a ridiculous thing to say.
No idea what I'd do but you're being overly harsh on your family and friends reaction- they're 100% right when they said you shouldn't have gone in.
I'm not sure you understand our point. Losing a parent, a son or a partner is a terrible thing. This is what I am arguing against, and it is from a humanitarian point of view.So don't accuse me of lack of humanity.
i don't think you understood mine, and i didn't accuse you of anything. enjoy the rest of your day.
I hope that's tongue in cheek - otherwise it's a ridiculous thing to say.
almost as stupid as the person it was in reference too
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
You dived in to save the dog's ass? Was the ass out for a walk with you as well?
On a serious note: I might enter water to save an animal or a human but I certainly wouldn't dive, that's unnecessarily dangerous.
I don't like dogs and so don't have one. I'd never risk my own life to attempt rescue of one and am saddened when I hear of people losing their lives jumping into frozen/swollen water to do just that.
I don't like dogs and so don't have one
Are you mostly dead on the inside?
1- **** off Binners, you arsehole.
2- I know it's absolutely not what you are supposed to do but if I was in the same situation with my dog I would be in there after him so fast... As others have said if he was 'just' getting washed downstream I think I'd be following the bank and trying to encourage him to shore but seeing him trapped and drowning would probably override any sense I may have.
no hesitation whatsoever, id be right in after me hounds
IMO you have crossed from human to hero. Don't try and cross too often though !
Of course the dog can be easily replaced! Go down the dog's home and there are plenty. Your family can't exactly get a new 'you' however. It was stupid and you were just very lucky. In addition to the flow of the water pinning you or dragging you under, the temperature could also see you hypothermic or worse very quickly.
I also cannot believe emergency services are having to waste their time on pets through ice etc. You wouldn't let them off the lead next to a busy road would you so why is fast running/icy water any different?
I await all the dog lovers blasting me for my callous views.....
I think I might do the same.Who really knows? And then afterwards, I would probably feel stupid and shaken up. And if I was your family, I'd definitely tell you off.
If I was your dog, I'd probably just spend all day licking my balls.
I did the much more sensible thing in the same circumstances. I made the Mrs jump in! Not quite the swollen river scenario but river estuary. She stripped off and jumped in after our Border (guide to Borders "they have almost cat like balance" errrr right!) and I stayed on the bank side to pull her up the side of the estuary. Not risky but very funny and fisherman opposite were appreciative of stripping 🙂
2- I know it's absolutely not what you are supposed to do but if I was in the same situation with my dog I would be in there after him so fast...
So despite the fact that:
a) the dog is more likely to be able to self-rescue than you are to be able to save it
b) there is a high change that you are going to risk your own life by jumping in, and potentially those of others who will try to rescue you
Loads of people are still saying they would go in without a moment's hesitation. 😕
This is actually a basic human failing, which is that we value action over inaction, never mind how effective it is. No-one is ever commended for bravely waiting in the face of overwhelming pressure to do something, even if it turns out to have been the right thing to do.
It's understandable in the heat of the moment but a bit disappointing that lots of people will sit there at home and calmly reflect that they would do something completely irrational though.
Well from the highly thought through, intelligent and articulate responses from people who would leave their children fatherless for the sake of a big, daft furry shitting machine, who's probably a lot better swimmer than they are anyway, I now feel a bit silly for suggesting that is in fact the behaviour of an idiot
So... Apologies for even suggesting it. It's clearly me confusing heroism with idiocy. An easy mistake to make. Sorry!
Luckily for me, I'm unable to have children so they won't miss me. My wife would probably be in there with me, she anthropomorphises the dog even more than I do.
What I'm doing though is both considering what I would do in the same situation and also, rather than just trying my best to be the 'cock' of STW attempting to empathise with the op and reassuring him that although his actions were foolish he isn't alone in the way his emotional attachment to his pet has made him behave.
I just think the OP is very lucky, like others who have commented I love white water kayaking and have also trained as a lifeguard. And in all honesty there is no way would I have gone in after the dog.
Def run along the bank and see if there is a way of helping from dry land, but dive in? Not a chance.
Glad the OP and dog are ok, but I would think you should consider is your dog more important than your kids (if you have any) and wife being without a dad/husband?
In a rough swell off a beach- if a dog is struggling so will you. Sadly if it was the sea or iced-lake etc NOT a chance. I'd like to say I would for another human but Ive never been tested. So who knows?
Edit. Just seen binners post ^ +1
This is from me- If youve ever ridden with me I stop to stroke EVERY dog that we pass.
The owner of the Woodbine cafe warned me about stroking her (?) dog. It came and leant/sat against my leg 'oh hes never done that before'.
Sorry, harsh but binners +1, 000
+ 1 Binners. Brilliant responses, mate!
I completely understand where binners is coming from but as someone who's always had and been around dogs it's hard to say whether I could just let it go. One of them things where you don't know what you'd do til the situation actually arises.
You did the right thing.
He's your dog you love him.
You saved him.
No question if you were right.
Twice a year every year your family would be numb with grief.
Then your wife will be naked-snuggling up in bed stroking another manwhilst he grins holding her hair in both hands. All thanks to [insert generic dogs name].
Harsh but true.
Well from the highly thought through, intelligent and articulate responses from people who would leave their children fatherless for the sake of a big, daft furry shitting machine, who's probably a lot better swimmer than they are anyway, I now feel a bit silly for suggesting that is in fact the behaviour of an idiot
that's a very good point Binners, but its not actually what you said so why don't you clip clop back under your bridge
Are you sat there pressing refresh? Wow. Just wow.
AA - what is it with some dog owners? Who are heavily represented on this forum. They seem to think that because of their own emotional incontinence towards their canines, that it's somehow compulsory for everyone else to share their inexplicable enthusiasm.
They either cannot comprehend, or simply refuse to accept that a lot of people (myself included - can you tell?) just view dogs as a noisy, filthy, smelly, stupid and potentially explosively violent, crap-generating nuisance. I can't work out which it is.
Everyone has stuff they don't like, but somehow it's been deemed verboten by dog owners to be critical of their belovedly idiotic slobbering pets, or to suggest that any restrictions be placed on their right to do whatever they please. If a dog had been on a lead it wouldn't have ended up in a river, and nobody would subsequently have had to risk their lives.
Overall... I'm not being swayed from my original assumption about the links between dogs, dog owners, frankly weird co-dependent relationships and stupidity
F*** me the dog bummers are out in force again. First all the "the dog bit your leg off because you looked at him so is your fault" threads now this...
There is a distinct difference between not sharing someone's enthusiasm for something and behaving like a pillock.
I fear that is a distinction you seem unable to make.
Dog mouth lickers closing ranks, again!
Smart Alec arseholes grouping together too it would seem...
Surely by your name calling you're just confirming the emotionally-charged illogicalities stated about a certain type of dog owner in my last post?
Jumping into a river, and putting your life at risk in the process, to save a dog is the very pinnacle of irrational behaviour IMHO.
