I had a totally different post planned for today and then I came upon this article on Yahoo, and the title caught my eye, Experts: Don’t attempt to save swept-away pets.
You can read the article for yourself AFTER you finish this post (apparently I have to be concerned with something called bouncing.)
I’ll give you the down and dirty. Apparently five people have died in California in the last five months trying to rescue a dog being swept away.
The article says that most dogs are better swimmers than humans and by using their fight or flight instincts will work with the currents and find their way to shore. Of course it might be a bit farther away than where they started so microchips and collar tags are highly recommended.
We all know that certain dogs are better in the water than others. Labradors, German Shepards and Pit Bulls are designed for swimming. Their strong bodies, heads that stay above water, thick/and or waterproof coats not to mention the four feet vs two for humans, (with some of them being webbed) give them the advantage over two footers who can experience hypothermia due to the cold ocean water.
Animals have far better stamina than most humans and are capable of keeping themselves alive in the water by remaining calm and focusing on the task at hand vs humans who tend to panic and become confused.
And what if your pet manages to stay alive, turning up two or three miles down shore and you have died, where does that leave him/her?
Logistically this all makes sense to me, but the reality of seeing your dog struggling and being swept away is far different. I can’t imagine the guilt I’d feel standing helplessly by. And God knows I have enough guilt I carry right now.
How could I let either one of those sweet faces just drift away without trying to help? What do you think? What would YOU do?
If the water is very cold and fast moving, have to say that we would stay on the bank and follow them (if possible) to where they make land.
First, you are using wordpress, so when you insert a link always check the open link in a new window box that way when the reader closes that linked page they still have your page. I noticed when I clicked the link I lost your page and had the new one and had to use the back arrow to get back to the post. Just a tip I got a long time ago and have heard it suggested quite often. Then on to saving the dog. I think mom would have a pretty rough time not coming after me, the heart would most likely win over the brain but it is good to consider that she should not come after me. I got stuck out on the ice once, she came in and saved me but the water was not deep. I guess the first step is to keep us out of water that is dangerous if possible but accidents happen with dogs and people, very scary!
When I was living in the south I read a story about a guy saving his dog from an alligator. I’m certain my instincts would take over and I would try to save my dog – it’s not the smartest thing to do, but I know I would. Cali ran out in the street once and I stepped in front of a car so she wouldn’t get hit (luckily, they stopped)!
I think that most of us would do anything to save our pets if they were in trouble. If we couldn’t, we would still die trying. If we didn’t try, the guilt would probably kill us.
I came very close to running into traffic to save my dog – but luckily she veered off from the street at the very last minute, so I just sort of tumbled into the bike lane. So, I agree, the heart takes over and the brain doesn’t think! I’m a semi-strong swimmer, so the heart would probably take over – unless it was a very fast moving river. I know you can’t win against that! Ugh though… can you imagine standing and watching your pup be swept away? Awful. Hopefully we’ll all never need to find out what we would do!
Like you said, logic and reality/instinct are usually far apart when it comes to one’s pets (and children!). Honestly, I don’t know what I would do in such a situation. I’m certainly not strong enough physically to save a dog that weighs more than half what I do; but I’ve read that when a woman’s maternal instincts come into play, she could literally lift the end of a car. And when it comes to my dogs — regardless of their size — my maternal instincts are always strong and deep. Something tells me you’re the same way. Let’s hope none of us ever has to find out what we would do in such a situation!! Have a great day!!
My niece jumped into a frozen canal to save her dog…she was a teenager…luckily a neighbor saw her…she was too cold to save herself…she got the dog out before her!!!!!! Instincts take over if they are a part of you..it’s unconditional love…just like a child
I’ve had a situation, not in the ocean, but in a swift moving river, where a friend’s Lab pup fell in and couldn’t get back to shore…We actually sent my mature Lab, a very strong swimmer, in after the pup… The older Lab caught up to the pup and with our encouragement from shore, guided/pushed the pup to safety…It was a proud moment…No way could I have done it, the current would have swept me away
My dog is like like my child, I’d jump right in without even thinking! I would give up my life for my child, and I would do the very same for my dog! HECK, probably most anybody’s dog! Call me stupid! I just love dogs!! I like them better than MOST people!!
Too scary to think about 🙁
I’m going in!
Blueberry’s a terrible swimmer AND she panics when the water hits above her legs. No question – I’d jump in after her or do whatever necessary to rescue her. If I go under with her and we both end up dying, well, I’d have no regrets – I would at least have to try.
My cousin jumped in the icy canal to save her doberman that fell in when she was a kid….the dog wasn’t being swept away, but it was in the winter and it could not get back up the high dock. Thank god a neighbor was outside and saw it, because my cousins body immediately started shutting down and she could barely move, no less save her dog. Even so, she refused to let the neighbor pull her out of the water until he saved her dog first.
I would hope I would be brave enough to do the same, or stupid enough, however you look at it.
I am totally with you! Common sense is out the window in a situation like that!
In a stressful situation like this, most of us don’t think, we just react instinctively. And unfortunately my instincts would be to put my own life in danger. It’s happened twice to me but obviously I lived through it.
Instinct would kick in we are sure. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
I’d go after my dog & if she isn’t making it – neither am I!
Sadie got swept away from us once. She panicked and tried to swim up current to get back to me rather than towards shore, which was much easier. Thankfully, a friend of ours raced down the river’s edge and was able to coax her back to shore…about 5 seconds before I was going to jump in after her and let the white water take me to her (please note that I am deathly afraid of white water). She was OK and just had a tail sprain. I don’t care what anyone says – I could never watch my babies be swept away without trying to save them.
I know exactly what I would do, I would jump in. In those scenarios one doesn’t have a lot of time to think before acting. Logically, as you say, jumping in is probably not the smart choice but in those moments of panic – I’ve been there – you go with your gut. Emotions take the place of intellect, at least for me they do. I’ve jumped in front of a car for my dog so I am certain I would jump in a river, no matter how illogical.
I used to help teach basic water safety for Red Cross. The instructor always told the class… “YOU come first… One drowning is Tragic.. TWO is HORRIFIC.”
It would be VERY VERY difficult NOT to TRY though. I don’t know WHAT I would do. It might make a difference if it were a Stray…
I don’t know what I would do… I think I wouldn’t think and go right in after them.
I wouldn’t jump in. I think you have to have thought this through ahead and decide that despite the emotional pull, you have to let the dog go. It is true that many dogs will survive when their humans will not.
I always remember this story from a few years ago.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/12/23/20091223BrothersDrowned23-ON.html
The dog survived.
I really don’t know. Being from the beach, I also know that if it’s a rip current, say, you can “ride” it to calmer water and then swim parallel to shore a bit and then make it out of the water. Would I be able to do that with a dog in tow? Not sure. I’d probably try! When we’ve had Elka at the beach, she’s still been harnessed, collared, and on a long line. She also wasn’t super interested in actually going INTO the waves. I don’t really see that changing.
I agree with 2 Brown Dawgs, although it would be very difficult I know I would not be able to save my dog, I am not a strong swimmer but they are!
It’s tricky, knowing what you should do but with emotions and a split second decision?
Once typist dog went into a short river to help her dog who was struggling to get out of the river (she can’t remember exactly why now, as the rivver has loads of places to get out from and wasn’t very deep) however as she got into the river the dog got out and stood looking at her like she was crazy – along with the rest of her family and other dog walkers!
I can’t swim but I would jump in to try and safe my pet. I got a 50/50 chance.
I too would go in after my dog(s). Now, that being said, I am extremely paranoid about their exposure to water. When we walk along the edges of a body of water that might not be frozen solid – on go the leashes. Same thing in the spring when the water is moving fast. Those that like the water and do go in are only allowed when it is safe. Otherwise – leash time! Over the years there have been a few annoyed dogs that wanted in the water but were told no.
Luckily, Kolchak and Felix despise the water, so I may never need to worry about this. However, I shamelessly admit, I’d wade right in after the dopey idiots. I’m a very strong swimmer, trained as a lifeguard and to swim out of a current, so I’d hope I have a fighting chance. And if we all drown in the process? Well, that’s a shame. I tried.
Kirby always wears a life vest and we almost always attach a long tie off to the vest because he loves to swim and will often swim too far away. This way we can pull him back.
One time he jumped off a pier into the lake. We were just walking so it was unexpected. We had him swim to shore but pretty sure one of us would have jumped in if needed.
I completely lose all my common sense and jump in. I don’t even to think twice about that, I know I would no matter how dumb it was.