This means STAY OFF!!

[Jackel]

Almonte,

The only point to the above link is " STAY OFF THE ICE "!!!! I sent this to several people I know and ALL agree that a DOG is NOT worth losing a human life. Think about it. Your mother and father lose a child, your wife loses a husband and your kids lose their father. It makes no sense at all. As much as someone loves their dog (and this is going to sound bad) but, it can be replaced. YOU CAN'T!!

So to close this off, If you see ice, STAY OFF!!!

THE END.

Jackel

[Abraxus]

Ok Jackel...lets use your methodolgy. Lets say you were to go ice fishing one day and you checked the ice and thought if safe. Only to your sudden chagrin it was not! You fall through....then as you struggle in the fridgid water, someone passes by while walking there dog on the shore line. The dog barks and turns its owners attention to your situation...Does the owner then think to himself, "Hey...its just some dude I dont know!" "There a lot of humans on this planet....who's really gonna miss one guy?" "Should I risk my life to save him?" "Nah...He is easily replaceable!"

Fortunately for someone such as yourself Jackel (A person I have never met) I have as much sympathy and compasion for a person in strife and struggle, as I do for a dog in such said circumstance. Therfore the chances are high that I would take a risk and do all that I could to save a total and complete stranger (that being you) in dire peril.

The only difference being, you have the arrogance to consider yourself perhaps more worthy of me saving then the life of my own dog!

A significant note to also add, is the fact that if a situation as mentioned above did occur, I would then we considered a hero, or worthy of honourable mention. As opposed to of course the case of the individuals mentioned in the article, whom are instead just considered idiots!

Nice touch of humanity!

Abraxus

[almontefisher]

Jackel: I think my post was not intended right or describe proper...I agree that a dog is replaceable but even me who hates dogs would find it difficult to stand there and watch...Don't get me wrong, if the ice was not safe then the old moto rings true...Only the strong and smart survive...That dog would be lost under the water...but I would find it very hard to watch. As for staying off the ice 100% agree with you...We had a post early this year about going out on 3" of ice and I was one of the guys who had an issue with posting that info for young people to read...I felt it encouraged people to go out on the ice when it was not safe for most peoples standards.

[Kpin]

Jackel, I can see Abraxus point, esp. after his 2nd post. It makes sense but just is worded a little harshly from his perspective.

I'd be hard pressed to not come to the aid of another living thing in mortal danger in the heat of the moment and mere seconds needed to react.

Would I though? I have b4, for both people and animals and luckily saved them and my own @ss. I have however put myself in the hospital from some of the injuries associated at times.

I've since learned, I will draw the line at a certain point. Human life is one thing but I've drawn the line at animals, esp. if the def. prospect of injury or even death is a very real possibility.

No one wants needless suffering, or the demise of any creature, of course, Jackel is just pointing out the line of reason that he and many others draw.

On the whole, you both raise valid points and are on the same page here fellas.

Btw, glad you liked the story Abraxus, it is... all true.

[wolfe]

I'd do everything I could for my own dog without a doubt, and probably everything I could for a stray dog at that. I could not stand idly by and watch something drown. It's always heartwarming to see the occasional TV clip where rescue workers are doing all they can to save an animal from a perilous situation. I thank God for people like that -- those that fight to preserve life.

Glad the story posted ended happily. Lesson learned, I hope.

W.

[TLunge]

I consider myself very careful with my dogs also, almost bordering on a worry wart, but it almost happened to me heading out to my known safe spot on the rideau one time, there was a fluke thin spot that was not there before or after that particular year{ i still dont know what caused it} but one of the dogs started sinking into the water and I just sort of barked " git over here" and she backed out of there. It was very close though, luck of the irish I guess. Just goes to show you that s--- can happen. I will say that if my dog and paul bernado were drowning at the same time I know who I would save
TLunge

[Kpin]

Agreed Tlunge with one small dif.

Bernardo and any that fit into his and any slightly less dispicable and disgusting category, do not, in my personal opinion, fit the same category of "human life."

They more properly belong in the same one as certain breeds but more specifically, individual dogs that maul, kill, attack and have a proven record of uncontrollable aggression.

Both categories, IMHO, should be put down.

[YakAttack]

A dog falls through the ice and I'm not sure if the ice is thick enough to support me to go save it? Easy solution - I send one of my kids out there to get it - they're lighter than me.

Never been in this situation before so I can't say for sure what I would do, but if it was my dog through the ice hopefully I would remember that my kids would have a better life without their dog than without their daddy. Sure, try and save the dog but within reason - it would be irresponsible and selfish of me to risk my life.

Now then, that brings up the more complicated topic of how to evaluate risk....aw, geez.