Safety reminder - dogs and water

[Nudibranch]

I raised little dog to be fairly confident in water, he swims and paddles happily. I used to throw sticks into the sea on calm days for him to fetch, until a friend's dog was swept out and drowned doing the same. Both our dogs wear life jackets on the boat.
Today we went to the beach, very windy but coming from the west so the sea was relatively flat. Tide was on the way out so we walked along the water's edge. I realised little dog was out of sight so turned to see he'd wandered down a steep shelf in the sand, and the waves had drawn right back ready to sweep in. I shouted him but he just looked, probably wondering why I was sounding so panicky!
I knew the water would be at least a metre deep if it broke over him so I just ran. It rolled him off his feet and swept him under, and goodness knows how but I managed to grab his scruff and haul him out. I was soaked up to the waist but at least he was out.
So, always keep an eye out, especially with little dogs. Fortunately I know that stretch well and in a split second decision figured I could go in after him but you do hear regular stories of dogs and people drowning like that. Better safe than sorry....little dog will now be staying well away from the waters edge!

 

[quirky]

So glad you saw the danger in time and dragged little dog out of the waves in time.

One of our GSP's was in a tidal river and struggled long and hard to get back to the bank as the under current was strong. I was beside myself on the bank knowing there was nothing I could do but offer encouragement to her. Thank God, she was strong and fit enough to make it back.
I was cursing my husband as he was insistent they should swim whereas I wasn't bothered either way.

My little dog stays firmly on dry ground and is only allowed to paddle if on the lead.

 

[SadKen]

I'm afraid I would go in after mine. Stupid, pointless, and suicidal though it is, I would go in anyway. And that's why I don't let them near fast flowing rivers/streams, in the sea (except paddling, in the summer, to a depth I'd go in myself!) or on frozen lakes (that last being common sense but you'd be surprised how many don't!).

OH is not quite as cautious as me, but he's become more so after a friend of ours found the body of a young girl who'd gone into a local river to save her dogs, and drowned with her fiancee. Totally tragic.