Dog Day Scare!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2006
Dog Day Scare!
20
Thu, 08-02-2007 - 9:40pm

Hi everybody!

I just survived a real scare, involving our beloved mutt "puppy" age eight years young, my walking companion.

I walked her down to the lake tonight after a blistering 94 degree day here in Boston. The lake air was cool and there were other dogs swimming. My girl loves to swim and I thought it would be so refreshing for her...

She swam happily with the other dogs until ... she spotted some ducks far, far off in the lake. She went after them and they would hop farther and farther away. Soon, I became alarmed and called to her to come back. She ignored me and soon seemed out of earshot. There were other folks at the lake, some families, and they were sharing this experience with me as I became increasingly worried. Dusk was here. She had soon been swimming in the distance for over THIRTY minutes. She left a wake in the water like a jet stream in the sky, lit up in the reflection of the sunset on the water, as she moved around. But she was too far away to be seen.

Some folks spotted people on boats near the dock on the other side of the lake. They suggested I try to get their attention....

Here comes the "fitness part": in my New Balance walking shoes and terry skirt from the Eddie Bauer outlet I RAN as fast as I could all the way around the lake (ladies, I have not run in over ten years). I ran the whole way and got there as a young couple was pulling their kayaks out of the water. It was dark and no dog could be seen.

They quickly returned to the water, prepared to find her. I ran again (now on adrenaline) back to the other side, where other people were looking and where I thought she would return. She had been out for almost an hour.

I heard voices from across the water: "We've got her!!" I saw the kayakers approach from the dark water, with my dog limp and stretched across the lap of the man. I can't tell you how relieved I was, not just for the dog, but my whole family who all just adore this lovable mutt.

I thanked everyone from the bottom of my heart (I told the kayakers; "This dog is loved by a lot of people and I hope you feel good about this for a long time")and scooted back home, my dog soaked from the lake and me soaked from sweat on this hot, "dog day of summer."

No more swimming on the lake,

Marianne

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2001
Fri, 08-03-2007 - 9:48am

What a scary ordeal that swimming adventure was. I'm so glad to hear that your "puppy" is OK.

Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-09-2007
Fri, 08-03-2007 - 10:19am

I am so glad your family member is okay!

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2006
Fri, 08-03-2007 - 10:35am

Hi everybody ... doggie is doing great today. Apparently she had been swimming in zig zags the whole time! She looked completely limp on the kayak as she came ashore and I was worried about her condition, but I think it was more a factor of that being the only way to carry her -- stretched out on the hard kayak shell in front of the paddler, with two legs over each side (if you can picture that). She looked weak and compliant (at least she didn't fight the rescue!).

But she trotted home with me no worse for wear and was alert and ok all night and today.

Thank God!

It would have been a major trauma in my young son's life if the dog had been lost and I averted a tragedy through the help of several strangers. God bless them!

Marianne

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2003
Fri, 08-03-2007 - 10:41am
I had no idea a dog would swim like that at not come back!
“You can only grow if you’re willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” -Brian Tracy
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2007
Fri, 08-03-2007 - 6:32pm
OMG how scary! Im glad you got your "puppy" back safe and sound..WTG on the run LOL
Erin 
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2005
Sat, 08-04-2007 - 8:38am
So glad your dog was alright. What a scary thing to have happen. It's nice to know that there are caring people who helped you.

cl-Deb

cl-Deb

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2006
Sat, 08-04-2007 - 11:57am

That is exactly what I keep thinking about, J-Deb. There were at least eight other dogs out there swimming in the lake on that hot night. None of them swam off like crazy after ducks! They all stayed close to shore.

This adorable mutt must have some strange "swim after ducks 'til I die" gene.

Marianne

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2006
Sat, 08-04-2007 - 12:02pm

Ha Ha!! Yes, I went "running!!"

Playing tennis with my SO this morning got me thinking. (Yes, he seems to be athletic at whatever he does; I have to remember this is one of the things that attracts me to him!)

But he puts eight balls in his pockets and just fires them at me, one after another, until they are gone.

I realized this morning that I need to pause every third rally or so because ... I just don't have that kind of aerobic endurance. I need to catch my breath. I don't run like he does.

Food for thought for me.

Marianne

PS. I need to add that I am a 38DD and I have always had trouble, even with good sports bras, with running because of the discomfort "up there."

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2003
Sat, 08-04-2007 - 1:47pm
Have you tried any of the Title Nine bras...?
“You can only grow if you’re willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” -Brian Tracy
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2006
Mon, 08-06-2007 - 4:17pm
Thanks, I will check them out.

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