Would you risk your own life to save your pet?.

[margaret*e]

Sadly a man died trying to save his dog in the sea a couple of days ago.

One of the rescuers said he had been called to a situation likethis many times, and as in this case the dog made it's on way out, and the owners die.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-29321904

[merehazle]

Absolutely. Emotions run high. No doubt other dog owners would have special memories. 

A neighbour of mine had a wonderful Doberman for 15 years. Which is very, very old for that breed. (normally, very sadly they live 10 to 12 years - on average). 

He had been unable to climb the stairs to lay near their bed for at least a year.

But one night at about 3 am they were woken as he somehow managed to climb the stairs, and they were woken as he had jumped on the bed between them. They were obviously so tired they hugged him and went off to sleep again.

When they woke up again he had gone back down again. They got up and went down and thought he was asleep in his favourite place....but  he was dead!

He had done what they thought was impossible...and that was to be near them for the last time. This story actually went to the local paper some years ago. 

[lambsy_uk]

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@merehazle wrote:

On the other hand you may know Sam that the wonderful Newfoundland is particularly famous for saving humans. And so many other dogs have rescued people too. Well if anyone knows the true love and loyalty a dog can bring such an incident would mean MOST would try. I had a incident when our dog fell through ice, and seeing his head disappear nothing in the world would have stopped me saving him. It was not brave by me, and it was not that difficult...It was basic instinct! I could not have lived with myself had I not. And a risk is a risk after all. 

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Of course they're loyal and would assist their owner else where's their next meal going to come from?!

You seem to know about risk and therefore I would guess you know it's not a good idea to let your dog walk on ice. I'm surprised your basic instict didn't kick-in long before the dog got on the ice.

[lambsy_uk]

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@saasher2012 wrote:

I still feel that emotions run high when put in this position & sense goes out of the window, either way we have a wife & child left grieving for a father & a dog safe& sound! Not a happy situation really is it?.

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Not happy at all I'm afraid, very sad indeed!

[lambsy_uk]

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@merehazle wrote:

Absolutely. Emotions run high. No doubt other dog owners would have special memories. 

A neighbour of mine had a wonderful Doberman for 15 years. Which is very, very old for that breed. (normally, very sadly they live 10 to 12 years - on average). 

He had been unable to climb the stairs to lay near their bed for at least a year.

But one night at about 3 am they were woken as he somehow managed to climb the stairs, and they were woken as he had jumped on the bed between them. They were obviously so tired they hugged him and went off to sleep again.

When they woke up again he had gone back down again. They got up and went down and thought he was asleep in his favourite place....but  he was dead!

He had done what they thought was impossible...and that was to be near them for the last time. This story actually went to the local paper some years ago. 

---

Must admit that is a touching story.

[merehazle]

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@lambsy_uk wrote:

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@merehazle wrote:

On the other hand you may know Sam that the wonderful Newfoundland is particularly famous for saving humans. And so many other dogs have rescued people too. Well if anyone knows the true love and loyalty a dog can bring such an incident would mean MOST would try. I had a incident when our dog fell through ice, and seeing his head disappear nothing in the world would have stopped me saving him. It was not brave by me, and it was not that difficult...It was basic instinct! I could not have lived with myself had I not. And a risk is a risk after all. 

---

Of course they're loyal and would assist their owner else where's their next meal going to come from?!

You seem to know about risk and therefore I would guess you know it's not a good idea to let your dog walk on ice. I'm surprised your basic instict didn't kick-in long before the dog got on the ice.

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HUH! And I'm supposed to argue with this one  

Let???? Ever thought of asking what happened to cause this? Before you MOUTH OFF?! A car crashed and we were separated accidentally, and he run on to the ice.   

And your first line STINKS TOO !!!!!!!   old mate

[lambsy_uk]

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@merehazle wrote:

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HUH! And I'm supposed to argue with this one  

Let???? Ever thought of asking what happened to cause this? Before you MOUTH OFF?! A car crashed and we were separated accidentally, and he run on to the ice.   

And your first line STINKS TOO !!!!!!!   old mate

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Were you involved in the crash or a witness perhaps?

[upthecreekyetagain]

Dogs are unquestionably 'loyal'.

They are pack animals and will defend the pack and especially the pack leader, even when they have been mistreated - that is simply a matter of survival.

Love? - some would claim that ascribing the ability to love to an animal is just a case of anthropomorphism - maybe it is but if the great apes have been demonstrated to have self awareness and to display emotions such as jealousy and anger then why not dogs having the ability to love.  The problem is trying to differentiate between behaviour indicating loyalty and that showing love or affection.

[saasher2012]

I would agree with that but also add most of the animals feelings are instinctive, you only get out what you put in!.
The problem arises when you try & put human emotions to animals actions, animals respond to kindness in all it's forms, a soothing quiet voice , petting, etc. a dog especially as you rightly say is a pack animal, therefore it looks for guidance , discipline etc. if it isn't getting all that then like a spoilt child it will & does turn into an unhappy thug.

[margaret*e]

many years ago when my kids were young, we had a house fire, we were all in bed, the dog we had then, our first dog, ran up and down the stairs barking until he got us up.

[lambsy_uk]

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@marg*e wrote:

many years ago when my kids were young, we had a house fire, we were all in bed, the dog we had then, our first dog, ran up and down the stairs barking until he got us up.

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Very good but a smoke alarm would have been cheaper!

[saasher2012]

Yes Marg*e they are Very astute at sensing danger well before we notice anything wrong, the bond a dog has with it's pack family are very strong & if that can be described as love then so be it I willingly accept that!.
I remember an old sheepdog of mine who wouldn't come back on the recall after rounding up a mob of ewes & lambs from a very scrubby area, he kept coming on & then returning to a particular area , after many a stern word we eventually went to investigate & there all tangled up in the briers was a cast ewe. We all have stories of the dogs loyalty & dedication to it's work, & this world would be a sadder world without them, which makes it even more sad when we hear of humans cruelty. To them, mainly ignorance but nonetheless very upsetting, we owe them much!.

[margaret*e]

You seem to know about risk and therefore I would guess you know it's not a good idea to let your dog walk on ice. I'm surprised your basic instict didn't kick-in long before the dog got on the ice.

An unavoidable situation for MH.

Along the coast nearish where I live, the cliffs are crumbling rapidly, they are fenced off and  warning notices are placed along the full length.

in spite of this there have been quite a few instances where a dog hasgone over the edge, some fatal some not.

I have often asked why anyone would let their dog run free near a cliff.

[lambsy_uk]

We owe them board and lodgings!

[saasher2012]

lol. If you are being correct they owe us for board & lodgings. lol.

[lambsy_uk]

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@saasher2012 wrote:
lol. If you are being correct they owe us for board & lodgings. lol.

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All things mentioned above is how they repay us!

[saasher2012]

Quite so! & that being the case we are even on all scores!.

[lambsy_uk]

Agreed!

[saasher2012]

Yes Mere, that's what made me state in the first instant, no matter what our brain tells us the heart very often overrules it!. Or words to that effect. lol.

[merehazle]

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@merehazle wrote:

Absolutely. Emotions run high. No doubt other dog owners would have special memories. 

A neighbour of mine had a wonderful Doberman for 15 years. Which is very, very old for that breed. (normally, very sadly they live 10 to 12 years - on average). 

He had been unable to climb the stairs to lay near their bed for at least a year.

But one night at about 3 am they were woken as he somehow managed to climb the stairs, and they were woken as he had jumped on the bed between them. They were obviously so tired they hugged him and went off to sleep again.

When they woke up again he had gone back down again. They got up and went down and thought he was asleep in his favourite place....but  he was dead!

He had done what they thought was impossible...and that was to be near them for the last time. This story actually went to the local paper some years ago. 

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Oh, I almost forgot. And if Steve is about? 

Before this thread faded away, did Steve, & Aggie, see this story above? I  thought I put it on your dog thread. I only just checked that I hadn't. And I think you might like to see it.

And as SAM say's at #31 ... 'it would be a sadder world without them, and we owe them so much'.  

How are you two & Sophie? 

[fallen-archie]

Absolutely without hesitation, But you need to be realistic many animals are more capable than you are when it comes to beating the odds, not a lot of point diving into a freezing Sea and getting swept away while your strong swimming Dog grabs a bit of flotsam and paddles back to shore.