A good lesson--don't try to rescue your dog from the waves!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Recently there have been heartbreaking stories about people rushing into the waves along California's beaches to save their dogs from being swept out to sea--in all of those instances, one or more people drowned while their dog paddled back to safety. Another incident happened in my area when a couple in their 60's who were rowing a boat in a pond BOTH jumped out to save their new pup and both of them drowned--the puppy made it back to shore with no problem. 

Although it goes against our nature to let the dog find it's way back to shore, the experts in this article explain why that is the best thing to do...

http://news.yahoo.com/experts-dont-attempt-save-swept-away-pets-090...

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Good article.  I really liked "a Coast Guard dude in a boat"  is that the official term?  lol

[Ginny Nightingale]

Probably not--but I can picture that dude with his long blonde locks flowing in the wind---or maybe not--LOL!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

lol

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yep.  Happens here all the time.  They will usually be okay in the water, but a panicked person is less likely to be okay.  It was a big concern of mine with my ALD who loves to surf in the waves.  That is why I gave him swimming lessons in an indoor pool.  Made me feel better anyway.  I am a life-long swimmer but would not go into the ocean to save a dog.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Kowabunga, Dude, we don't need no savin' here in California....  Seriously though, it would be really hard not to go into the water after your dog.  I think it is so instinctive to try to save our babies and we need to learn otherwise.  Thanks for posting this, Ginny.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Ha!

[DJ & Chance]

So cute. I watched a man teach his dog to ride a boogie board and the dog was clearly having fun .

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks for the alert. So far so good. When we have been to the ocean, the dogs won't go in the water.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Thanks and good to know!  Obviously our first instinct would be to go after our Doodles!  We have not been to the Ocean with Libby yet, but it is a fear of mine that she will go out too far and I would "have" probably gone after her!  Thanks Ginny for this article!

[Lynette Main]

Thats right. You never hear of a dog drowning,they can swim better and longer.BUT they are like are kids and if they go overboard its our first reaction to jump in and save them...

[Sheila & Finnley]

Good article Ginny. I learned a lesson today !

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for posting this. I'm afraid I would be one of the statistics. I can imagine freaking out if I thought my dog was unsafe. When I took them to the beach last year, the waves were so wild and choppy I wouldn't let them in the water. They were not happy, but we were all safe. This article is very wise.