Rescue on the High Seas!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

On Saturday, my husband, daughter, Fudge and Vern, and I set out for a day of adventure on our Pontoon boat.  We had no idea what was in store for us.  I never embellish on my blogs, so I want to be perfectly clear that in this story the high seas was really just a lake near our home, but Rescue on the Lake just doesn’t have the same pizzazz as Rescue on the High Seas. 

It was pretty cold on Saturday, but the dogs love to swim so we docked the boat for a bit and let them get in the water.  My husband and daughter actually got in the water, too, but I pretended told them that I was needed to help the dogs on the ramp and hold Fudge’s lead and all that was too complicated from the water.  At one point, my husband offered to switch places with me, but I assured him that I did not want to ruin his fun or brisk swim in the water.  We didn’t stay long and pretty soon we were back on the open water.

We hadn’t traveled far and I spotted something in the water.  Sure enough, there were two women in the middle of the lake next to their capsized canoe.  

Luckily, they had their life vests on because in some places the water can be 90 feet deep. Along side of them were three kayakers and a sailboat.  The women couldn’t get their canoe righted and the kayakers were trying to help.  We got as close to them as we felt safe.  Finally, the canoe was right side up, but the women could not get back in with or without the help of all the others.  One of the women was older, about F Parker’s age, and one woman was much, much younger, about my age. (I am checking to see if F reads every line of my blog)  I am not trying to pass judgment, but from a distance, I could tell that if I challenged either one of these women to a foot race, I would be the clear winner and to put that into perspective, if I walk a 12 minute mile, my all out run, on a good day, for one mile would be maybe 11 minutes, 45 seconds.  In other words, there was not a chance in hell that these women were going to ever get back in that canoe.

I finally yelled, “Would you like to use our ladder and get on our boat?” and everyone yelled back, “YES!”  It was a windy day and the water was very choppy, so navigating close enough to these women and avoiding plowing over top of them, because no one likes a rescuer that makes mincemeat out of the rescuee, took some doing on my husband’s part.  Every time we thought we were close enough, the older woman would drift further away and say, “why does this keep happening?” which led me to further believe she needed a refresher course in wind conditions and water movement before attempting to canoe again. By this time, one of the kayakers had taken control of the canoe, and the sailboat guy was dragging the extra kayak behind his boat. Meanwhile, Fudge and Vern were trying to figure out if these were giant geese or worse in the water and Vern was prepared to protect us from any attempt to take over our vessel. 

After many attempts, we finally got the women on board and both dogs did great with the ladies. I also would like to add that many times you never hear what the rescuers were saying amongst themselves as they were planning the best way to save somebody, but I can tell you that I said to my family, prior to the women boarding, “do you think we should take the robes off of the dogs before they see them?”

 

We offered to take them to shore, but they wanted to get back in the canoe.  For some reason, my husband listened to the older woman (must have reminded him of his sister) and kept driving to a spot that she pointed out where we could drop them off.  The only problem was the kayakers with the canoe had already stopped at a spot much farther back and were waiting for us.  This minor point did not seem to bother my husband or the woman and I felt like saying, “in order for these women to get back in the canoe, don’t you think they should be near the canoe?” or mention the fact that he was listening to a woman who we picked up in the middle of the lake, but finally he had a light bulb moment or else he heard me say, “where exactly are you going?” and turned the boat back around.  In short order, the women were reunited with their canoe, but I did say to my husband, “I am betting in 30 minutes, they are back in the water.”

 

Here is what we learned on Saturday.  There is a reason Newfoundland dogs do not wear robes and life jackets while on duty. 

If we had to send Fudge or Vern into those choppy waters to rescue those women, we would have first had to remove their robes and then put on their life jackets, thus losing valuable time.  In addition, I have been in the water with Fudge and Vern and found that they like to try and climb onto me, which I do not think is standard rescue technique and can, in fact, make the person in the water feel as if they will not be surviving their ordeal.  Furthermore, my husband learned if there is a choice between taking direction from his wife or a total stranger who keeps directing him away from her source of transportation, he should probably listen to the woman who he has lived with enough years to know can beat a dead horse to death when she feels he made a poor choice.

My daughter learned that even though no one was in any real danger, by the time her mother gets done telling this story, it will rival the story told round the table by Captain “Sully” Sullenberger about his “Miracle on the Hudson” landing. 

My husband summed it up best when he said, “we haven’t even had this boat for one month and we already have one rescue under our belt.” Not bad for a day’s work!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Hilarious!!! 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

This felt like I was reading Reader's Digest "Hometown Heroes"!!  So honored to "know" a real hero!!!  

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Great story, Laurie!!  Another fun blog :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Link for the robes:

http://www.harrybarker.com/Dog-Bathrobe/productinfo/SPA+DR/

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, www.harrybarker.com. Vern is 91 pounds and they only go up to a large and it fits him fine. They are only $11.99.

[F, Calla & Luca]

@ Laurie, how could you doubt me : (

@ Carol, thanks for knowing I'd be aware, can't trust these bloggers with logorrhea : )

@Nicky, go ahead and laugh at my expense, youfr day will come : )

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Laurie - where did you get the robes?  Stuart could really use one after swimming but I can't find any large enough.  He is almost 70lbs and 24/25 inches from base of neck to base of tail.  I'm thinking I might have to have one custom made  :)   Any ideas where to get him one?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, I said later we forgot to offer them any towels. We were not very polite rescuers :) You might need to use a life vest in your pool..LOL!! My mom can't do anything until after the Neil Diamond concert 7/1....she can't think of anything else right now :)

Amy, I forgot...thanks for reminding me :)

Carol, Good idea about the red cross. I was thinking about getting them monogrammed, but this might be better..LOL!  Great idea about the line and we definitely are going to implement that idea. Thank you!!  I just had to be sure about F :)

Jane, Why does calamity follow us everywhere? We are nice people....LOL!! Hopefully, it does not follow us on the cruise :)

Dori, Thank you! Was it you that took that 5th picture? LOL I bet that gave you something to talk about for weeks and I hope you had a camera.

Nicky, F caught me....but, I knew she would :) LOL

Nancy, We didn't even exchange names, so I bet we are not getting a medal :)

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I was going to ask if Fudge and Vern offered up their robes to these poor freezing ladies - guess not.  I laugh about the doods trying to climb on you while in the water - Stuart did the same to me last time I was in the pool with him - he just kept shoving me under water - thank goodness my screams got dh to help me out.  This pontoon is going to be a constant source for good Laurie blogs.  So when is your mom going on the boat?

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Good blog, but you forgot to mention that the famous Captain Sully was a Boilermaker!!  woohoo  :)