Would you die for your dog?

Shakou · Jul 22, 2013

I'm sure this topic has been brought up before, but my husband and I just had a conversation about a friend of his who died trying to save her dog from a house fire a few years back, and it got me thinking about it. While it differs in opinion, personally I admire her bravery, and wish that if something like that happened, I'd have the guts to do the same thing, though weather or not I actually would, I can't say.

So, the question is, if your dogs were in a life or death situation like that, would you risk your life to save them?

Beanie · Jul 22, 2013

Yes. And afterward people would talk about how stupid I was to put my own life at risk. But I would do it and more than likely at that moment in time I wouldn't even be thinking "this is putting my life at risk."

I was trying to catch a loose dog once, and it spotted a guy on a bicycle and ran out into traffic after it. It wasn't my dog therefore I could sit there and go "I'm not crossing the busy highway to try and chase after this dog. It is not safe for me and if I chase him he might actually try and run FROM me therefore putting him in even greater danger."
Were it, say, Payton chasing the guy on the bicycle? I expect I would have reacted before having time to think "This is a terrible idea and I should not do this thing because I might get run over trying to catch him."

ruffiangirl · Jul 22, 2013

No. But that has only changed since I have a child, I love my dogs, but I love him more and him not having me isnt an option.

AdrianneIsabel · Jul 22, 2013

I would not actively seek an exchange of life but I would risk my life to save them. I do not have children relying on me though, which would alter my risky behavior.

Dizzy · Jul 22, 2013

Honestly, I don't know. I wouldn't willingly put my life at risk, but I don't think I could sit back and watch...

My other half is a funeral director and all the dead he has dealt with rescuing dogs tend to needlessly lose their lives as the dogs always survive anyway!!!!

Shakou · Jul 22, 2013

Wanted to add an extremely sad factor to this story. The story goes that this girl essentially came home from work to the fire, and saw her dog freaking out from the second floor window, apparently trapped, and that's what made her run in.

I think if I came home to a scene like that, it would be enough to make me brave a situation like that as well, if I didn't pass out from sheer panic and anxiety first.

Greenmagick · Jul 22, 2013

This

ruffiangirl said:

BUT if like this

Shakou said:

then I dont know....adrenaline and all that jazz. Definitely don't know what I would do

Miakoda · Jul 22, 2013

We have a fire escape plan, but that means all we do is unlock the kennel(s), which is in our room, and the rest is up to the dog(s) to get out. Our main focus is our 3 boys. If hubby is working nights, then it would all fall to me.

My husband lost his grandma in a house fire when she couldn't make it out in time and the fire department, which is volunteer, couldn't get there in time. It's a tragic reminder of how little time you have to get out safely. The fact that I'd have to get children from each room means that I'm using lots of precious time. I cannot and will not choose my dog's life over that of my children or my own.

Emily · Jul 22, 2013

AdrianneIsabel said:

This.

Julee · Jul 22, 2013

Yes, without a second thought.

ruffiangirl · Jul 22, 2013

Shakou said:

This is my biggest fear of having the dogs kenneled when we are not home. We have never had to worry about upstairs or basements since we have always resided in trailers. If we ever moved into a house I think I would have the kennels close to the front door, or in the garage so we could easily get to them.

If a fire starts when we are home Gage is the only one locked up, but he is only in the front porch so easy to get him out. I would mostly be worried about the cats.

Greenmagick · Jul 22, 2013

Honestly, this is one of my fears. I can not physically pick up 2 of my 3 dogs. At night when I have racy brain I panic...wth would I do if there was a fire with them? The kids and I could jump easily, its a short second story. Or dh and I could toss the kids to the other....what about the dogs?

Same with tornadoes..again, especially at night. When I wake up to the wind howling and sirens going, well, there are two kids and two of us...its pretty much grab a kid and run to basement and hope like hell the dogs follow, especially as they are currently afraid of the basement steps

Fran101 · Jul 22, 2013

Would I inadvertently risk my life to save him? Yes. Adrenaline, love, whatever, if he was in danger I would do my damndest to save him.. even if it meant that looking back, I had risked my life.
It would have to be a knee jerk response, he runs into the road, I go running after him..just out of instinct.

Would I KNOWINGLY put my life on the line and die for him? No.

I can't say for certain.. but if faced with a similar situation.. my building is on fire, the floors are collapsing, and I know he's in there. I don't think I would run in.
It hurts to even think about.. but I can't imagine running into that situation knowing there is a GOOD chance I could die (smoke, fire, floors collapsing etc..) trying to get to him. I have a huge family, I have someone I love, I just..can't imagine.
I hate to sound callous but that's just how I feel.

If it was for a child.. I can totally imagine the idea of "regardless I'm going in there and if I die trying than I die trying, the chance of saving them is worth the risk"
but for my dog? I just.. don't.

I love him I really do.
I just... love my life more. He makes my life whole but he isn't a huge chunk of it, i can't imagine giving it all up for him.

BostonBanker · Jul 22, 2013

That.

House fires terrify me because of the dog thing. Meg freezes when she is scared, Gusto becomes nearly impossible to catch. I truly don't know that I could stay outside if I knew my dogs were inside and probably still alive. Seeing one of them in the second story window panicking? Forget it. I wouldn't be able to live with that in my head forever. I'd have to try something.

stardogs · Jul 22, 2013

Years ago, a unit at the end of my apartment building caught fire one evening. When I got home from work the lot was full of firetrucks. Were were told not to go in. I checked where the smoke was, then ran in, grabbed the leashes by the door, and got my dogs out. Even in the heat of the moment it was calculated - I don't think I would consciously take a huge risk on my own life for my dogs, but you can bet I would do my utmost to find a low risk option.

I do a lot to make things as survivable as possible: my dogs are all trained to come to me at the sound of the fire alarm (I don't want them hiding in fear), there are leashes close by an exit, and I have plans in place if something happens at night (ranch house: open windows, jump out into the fenced back yard basically). I have plans for tornado as well. A fire when I'm out is one of my biggest fears because I have dogs crated then, though they are in a front room and I often double or triple check things before I leave.

sparks19 · Jul 22, 2013

No. My priority is getting Hannah out. The way our house is laid out I'd pretty much throw open a door and hope they get out.

Laurelin · Jul 22, 2013

I have no idea. I think in all honesty I'd be going on adrenaline and there's no telling. I know from first hand that you don't always react the way you anticipate and plan during an emergency.

Anytime I think about stuff like this I feel awful. My dogs trust me 100% and blindly follow me. I do not ever want to betray that devotion. Those dogs mean an incredible amount to me. Mia in particular has been about the truest friend anyone could ask for. I hope we are never in that kind of situation.

LauraLeigh · Jul 22, 2013

Shakou said:

I can't say I'd make the conscious decision to "die" for my pets....

However when I came home to my house on fire a few months back I tried my darnedest to push into the house (The heat was soooo extreme it was like a wall ) and passed out in the doorway in the process, scaring the crap out of my next door neighbor who thankfully I'd already called along with 911...

If I'd been able to get into that house, I'd have tried to save them and there is always the chance that could've went very wrong...

To be honest at the time I wasn't thinking period, wasn't thinking Oh Man this is risky, or something I shouldn't do, just had one thought that put all (likely sensible thoughts) aside, that my guys were in there!!! Get them out!!!!

It was one of the most devastating days of my life, and I acted without real thought....

If I had time or the ability to think it through, I'd likely choose not to, because as devastating as that was I can only imagine (hope? LOL) that it would be twice that to those whom I love to lose me... I know it would be for me...

LauraLeigh · Jul 22, 2013

I posted before reading the replies, most echo what happened to me, not thinking and just acting is what I did, and I don't think I could've handled it any different, though if I'd not been alone someone likely would've held me back, really it was foolhardy, but it was an instinctive response

Fran101 said:

This pretty much sums it up for me....

I'd like to think if flames had been shooting out the doors I'd have not tried

Red.Apricot · Jul 22, 2013

I wouldn't do it on purpose, but if I got home and the house were on fire, I would go in after her. I'd go back to the burning car to get her out. I'd swim out into the river to get her.

I wouldn't say, "Sure, shoot me instead of her," and I wouldn't sign Ursula's paper trading places with her, but I would do stupid, risky things if she were in danger.

It's not the smart thing to do, but I would.

Would you die for your dog?

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