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Subscribe to RSSA man and woman are dead and a teenage boy is missing after the trio were swept into the ocean by big waves in northern California while trying to rescue their dog, according to media reports.
The accident happened Saturday afternoon at Big Lagoon about 32 miles north of Eureka in Humboldt County.
Family members went into the water to try to save their pet dog, which had been pulled away by 8- to 10-foot waves, KTVU-TV reported.
The mother and father drowned and their bodies were recovered. They were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Times-Standard. A 16-year-old boy, believed to be the couple’s son, was missing.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the daughter called police, according to KTVU.
The dog managed to make it to safety, the TV station reported.
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And the dog made it to safety. SMH.
If it only saves one dog life, wouldn't it be worth it?
@denver bill 2, clearly the answer is no.
I don't usually agree with you, denver, but this time I do.
A humans life or a dogs life, you always can get another dog, now three people are dead. What idiots
Remember people, dogs are DOGS, NOT PEOPLE! If Darwin could see THIS one!
That was one very loved dog!!!
Reminds me of the age old adage: "If someone jumped off a bridge, would you?". This family was not a very smart family at all.
Hindsight is 20/20 Newswinner101.
The answer is not clearly 'no' at all. You obviously wouldn't try to save a beloved pet, but I would. For me, there is no option. I'm the only chance they have.
No actually dogs are better swimmers than humans; so the dog had a better chance of survival than his owners.
didom - comment #1.4 - given the choice between rescuing YOU or rescuing my dog, I'd rescue my dog. We can always get another heartless b*st*rd.
I'm sorry, but I disagree with a lot of you who view the dog's life as worthless. His life had a lot of value to that family.
They died for a noble cause: trying to save the life of a dog they loved. There's no point in condemning their decision. If they had died saving the life of a drug-addicted man who beat his wife, would they be better because they saved a human instead of an animal? I don't think so.
If more people respected and valued the positive contributions that animals make to our lives and to society, this world would be a much better place. I'll bet that animals provide more love and healing that all of mankind!
Mozzie-600, I agree. Mine have only me to protect them, and that's what I said I'd do when I adopted them...to the best of my ability.
There have been many articles where dogs and cats have saved their owners, from fires, water and other things, so why shouldn't they be treated with the same respect?
Maybe, depending on the breed. Any of the water spaniels probably would have a fair chance, but the heavy-coated ones like the Old English or the Collie would get water logged and be pulled under. The article doesn't say the breed.
@ I & I
You BET they do! Mine console me when I cry, laugh when I laugh, wait all day to see me when I come home from work with joy in their hearts! They talk to me and even talk back sometimes! lol They give me totally unconditional love, no matter what, and lots and lots of hugs!
And the best thing....I love them and they fill my world with happiness.
There's nothing I wouldn't do for them if humanly possible.
If your dog only has you, then when you die trying to save it, who does it have to take care of it then? Not you. It will go to the pound. It may get a home or it may get euthanized.
If it's a decision to be made between the lives of me and my family or my dog, the dog would lose. I'm an animal lover but risking an entire family's life (and in this case taking them all) for a dog is ludicrous. You can call that "heartless" all you want, but in my world, the life of a human > than the life of an animal. Of course the PETA nazis and other fanatical animal nuts out there think otherwise.
Are you one of those "my dog is my child" morons!? While losing a dog hurts, my last one died on Christmas day a few years ago. NO DOG is worth a human life unless we are talking about choosing a dog over a child molester or murderer.
These people died going after their dog... that's fine and well... I'd likely try and rescue my dog as well as I'm an experienced swimmer. What I DON'T get... is WHY they were throwing the stick into the water that is full of 10+ foot waves? Doesn't make any sense to me. They cared so much about the dog to die trying to save it but didn't care enough to not place the dog in danger initially.
I don't blame them for trying to save a family member.... I blame them for endangering the family member in the first place.
Clearly, some people do not see the worth of animals! More deserving than most humans! Humanity is a disgrace, barbaric and abusive. Obviously this dog is family!
I love animals but there is a limit to how far one should go, to the death is a step to far. and its possible like the dog proved that it can take care of its self as long as there are no cars around.
It was a devil dog. Lured the parents to their doom! Bwahahaha
Seriously, it's a dog, it will manage or not, yes it hurts to lose a pet, but now how much does it hurt to lose a parent?
There's a dog looking for a home.
The dog is not homeless. The daughter called the police.
The article said nothing about throwing a stick.
Thank you for reminding us of the obvious. In my world, attempting to save the animal would unquestionably be worth a try. Usually in a case as you describe, the media attention the story will receive would guarantee a new home. Never fails.
mozzie-600, pull your head out and read the article! Obviously the dog had a better chance, the dog survived on his own!
They could have drowned trying to save one another as well. Why is everyone assuming they just were all trying to save the dog and only the dog?
Didn't a similar thing happen to another couple in August of this year? A married couple in Massachusetts drowned after jumping in the Hamptons Pond, trying to save the dog. Of course the dog survived because they are better swimmers, to my knowledge ( West Highland White Terrier).
Don't know about you guys but I have learned my lessons:
1) The doggy will not be going boating with me.
2) I will not jump into risky waters to save doggy, no matter how tempting it is.
Still it is very sad because they had good intentions. I hope the missing son is found.
Dust4....
From the article, first paragraph......"A man and woman are dead and a teenage boy is missing after the trio were swept into the ocean by big waves in northern California while trying to rescue their dog, according to media reports".
It kinda made me think they were trying to save the dog.
Siobhan...
Post 1.28
Or you could buy your dogs life preservers. I have Two large rottie that love the boat but are terrible swimmers so they both have life preservers on at all times. With their life preservers on they can litterally swim behind my canoe all day long. If I go out into waters that might be dangerous I WEAR A LIFE PRESERVER! Its simple wear a life preserver DONT DROWN.
most family dogs would give their lives to save their family. I would definately give my life to save my best friend, Dusty.
If that was true there would be no leashes and fences in this world. Most dog might bark at someone hurting you few would attack the attacker. You watched too much Lassie growing up.
@needs of the few
I figured something like that was a more likely scenario: once they realized that their family members were in trouble they would try to save each other. Really sad.
It's irritating when people just read the headline and assume they know the whole story then post on places like this how stupid they think the family was.
onlyyoucanchangethelaws:
Thanks, I forgot those. I hope others have read your advice.
Hi Folks,
I say this is a tragedy, and condemning the parents is kind of, well, they're already dead so why bother.
For anyone who may find themselves in a situation like this, remember, they have orphaned their daughter
(and sister) by trying to save the family pet. Some times your responsibilities should weigh in to your "personal" decisions. Ask the daughter (who's age isn't mentioned) if she'd rather have here parents and brother, or the dog.
Who is gonna save the daughter who just lost her whole family? Will the dog? Will the dog provide for her a home and money to live off of? Will the dog be able to help her pay for college and cover her on it's life/health insurance policy? I agree with maninjapan, this was devastating to this girl to lose all of her family over attempting to save a dog. The parents should have thought about the possible outcomes for their family before jumping in to save the dog.
Only in America... and of course, in California.
If I had to choose between saving my dog and not leaving my child an orphan, I would choose to not leave my child an orphan every time. If I had to choose between saving a child and saving a dog, I would choose to save the child first every time (and then, if feasible, try to save the dog too). If the only being in danger was the dog, if possible I would try to save it, but not if doing so could get others killed.
For me it would be natural to try and save my dog, as I am their mom. All my dogs throughtout my life have given me such happiness and helped me through sadness. This is a tragic story and I feel so bad for the surviving daughter.
@Alright, if' you'd read the posts ahead of yours, you'd actually know that neither of the parents went in to save the dog. The son did. When he got in trouble, his father went in. The son and the dog managed to get out but then the father got in trouble so the mother went in (with the son). Neither parent went in to save the dog.
Dogs are not people. People who equate dogs with humans have very screwed up priorities, might I add to the point that they are mentally disturbed. That is not to say you shouldn't love and cherish a pet. What happens when a dog and child from the same household are both in mortal danger and you could only rescue one. Seriously would Rover even be given a second thought? I would hope not, dogs are expendable and replaceable.
I love my dog, but I love my life more.
Thank you for reminding me to "Ignore This Author". You have nothing to say that I am interested in reading.
There. Done. And none too soon!
To those that say they wouldn't put themselves at risk for their "dog" because their life is more valuable, I genuinely feel bad for you because you obviously do not value your "dog's" life or what they contribute to your life and consequently will never know the unquestionable love that your "dog" gives you. I don't view my "dog" as a "dog", I view him as another living being with feelings, thoughts and awareness. He has also chosen to unconditionally love and protect me, I would be the "dog" if I wouldn't do the same for him.
To those that defend this family's decision, I'm with you and I would risk my life in a heat beat without a second thought or regret for my "dog" and I wouldn't give two sh*ts about what anyone else thought.
Thoughts hopes and prayers to this family.
The question is not 'Would you try to save your dog?' Of course, most people would. The question in this scenario is would you die so that there was a chance your dog would live? If presented in that context most would probably say no. If they are honest with themselves. As a parent your responsibilities to the ones that need you are far more important than the pain they would feel from the loss of the family dog.
The outcome of whether you will die or not in this scenario is entirely dependent on one's ability to swim in heavy surf. Some people would be an instant drowning victim and some could completely handle it. So the decision is intensely personal and subject to the conditions of any given scenario.
@Enough- As I state in my post, if my son (or another child I wasn't related to even) was in danger, I would try to save him. My post was more in response to other above stating they would try to save the dog no matter what. My point was that saving a dog would be very dependent upon context.
drano....., a hypothetical situation, a dog and a human are in mortal danger, both are total strangers to you, you can only save one, the other is going to die, there is no risk to your own life by taking action. Who will you save?
This happened in Yellowstone Park several years back, where a dog jumped into a hot pot and it's owner jumped in to save him. Both died from the exposure to the intense heat. Another stupid decision by a pet owner who had more pet-love than common sense.
I like dogs, but not more than my own life.
The one I have the best chance of saving.
c'mon, guys. they were trying to save their son. give the pet angle a rest.
thank god the doggie survived !!!!
The boy went in to save his dog, the father went in to save his son. The boy made it out and discovered his father was drowning, and him and his mother went in to save the father.
""
Its about as tragic as it could possibly get. The loss of the lives of multiple family members that all loved each other enough to put themselves at risk. They failed, but if they had succeeded noone would judge their decision.
Horrible tragedies with a chain reaction like this happen too fast to analyze at the time. By the time the boy realized he couldnt save the dog and pulled himself back to shore, his father had already gotten himself into trouble trying to save his son, and the boy and his mother went in for him while the dog managed to get back to shore while the sister watched helpless. All because of a bad throw. These things arent possible to pause and think about when they happen, regardless of how easy they are for know-it-alls to criticize later on article commentaries.
As for criticizing a 16 year old boy who went after his beloved dog, and then back in after his father, and has lost his life... or simply just using this story to prove how cold hearted you are with your "a dog is a dog not a person and has NO value" agenda (most people who are able to love a dog, or other non-human living being, as a family member will always disagree no matter how many times you post this), you should crawl back into your self centered hole where you are the only life that matters.
The link to the article with that information just dissappears after posting. It was from newsday.com
news /nation /teen-who-tried-to-save-dog-presumed-dead-1.4262964
i didnt just make it up or read this article incorrectly. you have to delete the spaces and manually put in newsday.com in front in order to get to the article.
This article works, too:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/couple-swept-sea-effort-save-son-dog-17807817
Thanks Isadogger, that article helps to explain a lot about how this could happen. Tragic indeed.
I would add that I don't think people are posting that a dog has NO value as you put it, just that a person, or even more so a family member has a great deal more value.
It's like the scenario presented above, if I was forced to choose, the human is first. It doesn't mean I don't love my dog, or would not go to great lengths to rescue my dog.
I expect many parents have made a pact that if ever presented with the horrible worst case scenario of choosing who to save between the spouse or the child, the child is first. It's a painful, horrible scenario to imagine but nonetheless it is conceivable.
If they have not perhaps they should consider doing so.
biker4life im not trying to de-value humans, just really sick of trolls or people who really cant see any worth in non-humans aside from meals/exploitation constantly saying who cares what happens to animals because its not human. Its especially prevailent on any article about animal abuse, people comment just to say "who cares, it wasnt a human". Even though most people arent saying exactly that here, it's still implied.
I do agree with you in regards to saving a human relative/friend being priority though, especially a human child in any situation. Although if it came down to a stranger, the dog that i adore and care for on a daily basis will win out. If someone has a problem with that then thats their problem not mine.
Either way, i highly doubt this poor boy realized the trouble he was getting himself into until he could barely make it back to shore and i dont blame him at all for going in after his dog. The fact is the whole family didnt commit suicide to go after the dog despite the misleading msn title (is anyone really surprised msn jumped on a story to make it controversial without providing accuracy?), the boy reacted and the father went for his son, and then the son and mother went back in for the father. Their priority was obviously each other and I dont think its fair for anyone to call the deceased idiots for their split second reaction to attempt to save each other. Their biggest mistake was the location of their walk and probably not paying attention to their surroundings in the first place, but im willing to bet most of us have taken risks before that could have ended in tragedy. This just turned into a worst case scenario.
Sounds like we're not far apart Isadogger. I agree the article explains it much better and presents a scenario that could happen to any family. And there are definitely people I would choose second to my dog.
Dr. Farthing: I know there's really nobody to blame for this but myself, well, I don't know, maybe the Buffalo Bills, the Boston Red Sox, or Mr. T or, or the Jets...
Mitch: Wait a minute, Mr T.? Are you telling me that you bet on the fight in Rocky III, and that you bet against Rocky?
Dr. Farthing: Hindsight is twenty-twenty, my friend.
This is very sad. I would do the exact same thing if I thought one of my beloved pets was in danger. My pets have given me more love and joy than most people I know and less aggravation for sure.
I can only wonder what God would think if he read this thread!! We've got some critically serious problems when people post things like 'they value their pets above people'. If I knew someone like Dr. Sigmund Freud or Carl Jung, I'd give a copy of this column to him and ask him to try to explain it to me!!
I'm wondering how humanity arrived at this point if these traits displayed here are actually representitive of people in general.
My pet has never lied to me, stolen from me, never taken advantage of me or physically harmed me the way humans have. My pet, however, demonstrates unconditional love for me. In my opinion and experience, most humans aren't capable of unconditional love. That's how people arrive at this point.
I know this is sarcasm.
The dog isn't going to go into work and earn a paycheck, nor pay taxes, nor contribute to the general welfare of this society.
A dog's life isn't worth a human life, period.
Yes, I'm sorry, I know there are weepy people who only think with their emotions and disagree with me, but it's true.
Ahhh California!!
Yeah. If you were drowning, they might even try to save YOU. What fools!
Clearly tourists, most likely from the Midwest. Native Californians know better.
Ok, i'm on first. Can't be from the midwest, midwesterners are red , i know they were Democrats they just thought someone would come and rescue them, just had two be first. HSUS would have sued them for not trying to save that poor helpless dog.
Californians. The butt of the jokes in 49 of 50 states, and it still does nothing to deflate their heads. Hilarious. Fact: most scientists of note are from the Northeast and Midwest. Now, go chain yourself to a tree to save a rare species of Hawk, Champ.
When I was new to Northern California, I would let my Labrador retriever run in the surf. Then a new acquaintance told me of people and dogs that were swept out by rogue waves or undertows (a strong current sweeping under even very shallow tides). After that we went to the beach at low tide, and he chased sticks rather than waves.
These people must have been tourists or new to the area. Big Lagoon is popular with tourists.
Think of the pain the daughter must be going through. Wow! So, so sad! And the dog survived! Wow!
Twisted, is it hard to see with your head shoved that far up your ass ?
hey twisted, i dare you to list 1 scientist of note.
Dr. Scott M. Folk. I'm not twisted, but your dare was too easy. (Did you really think there were no scientists of note from the Midwest?!)
I think twisted meant 'the target of jealousy in 49 of the 50 states'. Just because he sounds that way. If you're not, great.
The rest of you, it sucks here. Nothing but earthquakes, floods and landslides. Stay away.
Everyone on here criticizing the family or calling them stupid are very rude and judgmental. I would try to save my dog if I think I had a good chance of doing so. He is really a part of my family. I commend them for their bravery and wish them the best in the afterlife.
I would do the same thing and end up dead just like these people. I would die with my pets rather than evacuate without them.
What were they thinking? That water this time of year is pretty cold and wouldn't take long to be hypothermic. Tragic.
Probably didn't realize the danger until it was too late.
The power of love. They loved their dog, they couldn't stand by and watch it drown. The wife probably went in before she knew what she was doing, the husband went in after her, and the boy went in after them. I grew up on the Oregon Coast and this happened so many times. The people who were visiting the coast didn't have any idea how strong the waves were. They would stand on a washed in log, a wave would come and before they knew it they were in the water or the wave would roll the log over them. Every winter people who came to visit the coast would die, even though there were warning signs everywhere. This is so sad, and it happens so fast, and the waves are so strong. People don't have time to think. Some people will say it's only a dog, but it was their dog and they loved it. My prayers go out to them all.
Absolutely. In hindsite, it's really stupid. But if you don't know how dangerous it is, of course you're going to try to help your dog. If not, you probably don't need to have a dog. No, I'm not suggesting you should risk your life to rescue your dog, but I would try, unless the risk was unacceptable.
I must be a bad person to be sitting here thinking of the child and not the dog. My spouse, my child...that is an unacceptable sacrifice. Prayers out to their survivors.
Northern CA the end of November? I love my dog too, but... if came down to the choice of my dog, myself or any other family member the dog would have to fend for himself. Seems as though the dog in this story did indeed fend for it's self and actually survived. What a senseless tragedy for that young girl to witness. I bet if you asked her whom she would have chosen it would have been her family hands down!
I agree Silverrob. And now a daughter left behind. Lost both parents at the same time. And possibly her brother. Very sad.
And to top it off, she may not even can take the dog with her where ever she ends up at or she could end up resenting the dog for some time.
true, the son is missing, but thats ok, they jumped off to save the dog, and left the son.
Yeah and you're really smart... water temperature off North California coast varies little throughout the year.
Temperature isn't the issue, it's the current.
They took the committment they made when they adopted the dog to heart. And when his life was in danger they didn't think twice about trying to save him.
I would do exactly the same thing.
And i feel sorry for all of you who feel that just because you are human, you are somehow more important than another who walks on four feet.
It's been my experience that my four-legged friends are far more devoted than any two-legged friends. My husband is dying from Alzheimer's...and we have lost virtually ALL of our friends. Not one calls or comes to visit him.
for Joe-1059546
The water temperature off the northern CA coast is right around 50 degrees year round. That's cold enough to cause muscle cramps and hypothermia. The currents and undertow only exacerbate the problem.
Too bad about the family. Risking your own life to save a pet is a terrible choice. I saw a lot of pet owners here disagree which is too bad because one day we may be commenting on their tragic story if they make the same choice.
What I don't get is why all 3 of them went in. 3 lives to 1? Not worth it. Basically the parents decided to take the chance of orphaning their kids for the sake of their dog. One parent I might could give the pass of "noble cause" to... but both? Plus a teen too? That's just being unnecessarily reckless. And it cost them.
How very sad.
Very very sad! "The dog made it to safety" is a terrible, horrible irony. jesus!
agreed.. how so sad... :(
The dog normally makes it out of the water OK. Watch retrievers some time, in water with ice on it. It doesn't faze them. People don't do well in frigid water but many other animals do quite well in it. The same goes for cats in trees.
My 4 month old dog either jumped in or slipped into a half frozen pond today. I found out when she came into the house, wet and excited. When I dried her off, I found she was only wet on the outside. The natural oil in her hair kept the water from soaking down to the skin. It must not have been that bad, because when we went out to try understand what happened, I do believe she was ready for another swim. The natural protection must work. I know now, I would never jump in to save her. I would die and she would climb out. Animals seem to know their limit. Humans don't.
Most dogs (esp. water breeds) have a short undercoat beneath the top layer of fur, much like a duck's feathers are layered. Keeps the water off their skin just like a wetsuit.
I hope that one of their relatives or a good samaritan adopts the dog and it doesn't end up in a shelter.
Strange as it sounds I can see why they went after the dog, as unwise as it obviously was. Thse darn pets get under your skin. What a terrible irony indeed that the dog ended up safe.
A vast majority of people look at their pets like they were children, and would be devastated if anything happened to them.To just stand by and do nothing is unthinkable.Therefore, the only choice these parents probably saw, would have been to go after the dog.The parents possibly believed themselves better at swimming then their pet dog. Not realizing that the dog's fur coat would give it an advantage in the bitter cold water.Nor waiting to see what happened to the dog.
Love has a funny way of making people sacrifice for others, and do things they otherwise wouldn't think of considering normally.It's what makes love so unique of all the emotions and so priceless. May those who have perished rest in peace and those who remain be comforted.
They may have drowned trying to save their son. I would have gone in after my pooch. He is clearly better than most people.
yes, and you would be the dead one...smart.
Sometimes,I look think about all I have seen in my 73 years and an convinced that a dog is worth a hell of a lot more than a lot of people I have met.
Well, Woodpecker, I'd say you've managed to attain a certain level of wisdom. I completely agree. There's more people on the planet than dogs, anyways.
The question is woodpecker, is the dog worth more than your wife (or husband) and child? If the dog is worth more than your family, that is one sad situation. Other people didn't try and save this family's dog, they did and they left a daughter without a father, mother, and likely brother. I hope that those roles in your family are worth way more than a dogs life.
Someone else posted the actual sequence of events. Throwing stick for dog, dog got in trouble. Son went in after dog. Son got in trouble, father went in to save son (not dog). Dog and son got out on their own, father got in to trouble, so mother and son went in to help him. Not the dog. Neither parent went in after the dog and the dog was safely out before the mother and son entered the water to save the father.
I don't know why, but it still surprises me when I see the lack of reading comprehension skills too many posters display.
Thanks, Enough, for re-posting the sequence of events. I hope it helps others to think before they start bashing this family.
One family member going in after the dog makes sense to me as an animal lover. All 3 repeatedly jeopardizing themselves is insanity. It's no wonder they died.
With perhaps the exception of the daughter who survived, these people were panicked and not thinking clearly. I suspect this tragedy began with letting the dog off leash and escalated from there.
...brilliant analysis ...
Too bad they were more devoted to their dog than their daughter!
hmdicowii, agreed, panic sets in and logical thought goes out the window. Actually they reacted normally for humans. When panic takes over, it enables us to do what would normally be unthinkable. Unfortunately this ended badly.
How sad is this... What devoted people they were to risk their lives for their dog like that. It's hard to just stand there and watch your dog drown-that's what they thought would happen.... and they drowned. Wow. Sooo sad.
Isn't it MORE sad for the little girl to watch her MOM, DAD and BROTHER drown? DUH!
Actually they didn't. The son was the only one who went in to save the dog. The father went in to save the son, and after the dog and the son managed to get out on their own, the mother and son went back in to save the father. Neither parent went in to save the dog.
Enough,
PLEASE stop saying that..you have NO idea that's how it happened. SOmeone above said that's how he assumes it happened. No one knows for sure what happened
@cdebar He isn't just making it up:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/couple-swept-sea-effort-save-son-dog-17807817
This is the 2nd time this has happened in the last few months. Back in August a man & women drowned in a pond trying to save their dog in Westfield Mass. & the dog survived.
They drowned in a pond? Probably not a good idea to try rescuing an animal unless you can actually swim yourself.
I couldn't remember exactly where it happened, but I did remember this same thing happening recently.
AG99, they were in their 70's.
Extremely Sad! I'd probably would of done the exact same thing.You're not thinking about the real danger,you're adrenaline is pumping just to save the animal or a human being!
My condolences the Daughter!
Why ? now she gets everything and the dog !
Charlie are you for real,or trying to be funny? Because if it's the latter,you're NOT!
If it's hard for her to keep the dog, I'd take it.
Somewhere - And YOU would be DEAD. Adrenaline does not justify stupidity because it does not preclude one's ability to think!
Sadly, it seems the dog was better able to handle themselves in the overwhelming waves that swept him away than the humans. Sorry that the people lost their lives, but I would have likely done the same thing as them.
I love my dog to death, and there's no telling what emotions could come over me if this happened to me. I'd put myself in harms way for him because I love him dearly. Too bad that this had to happen. The dog will never understand what happened to the people he loved and who will take care of him now? I hope he gets a good home after all of this because the dog deserves it.
I hope that if you have a family you would think of them first rather than the dog, they need you more than you need the dog. If you ever need to find out just how important you are to someone just ask how they would feel if you were gone forever, I hope that they would answer that they would be devastated by the loss.
I would hope you would understand you cannot predict how people will respond in high stress situations and to not judge them. Walk a mile in their shoes or something like that, at least that's what I recall a wiser person than both of us said at one point.
PETA is overjoyed by the good news - a dog survived an 8 ft wave!
Dude.
There was a similar situation lately that occurred on a lake. The dog either fell or jumped out of a boat; at least 2 people then jumped into the water to save the dog and all the people died.
The dog swam to safety and was unharmed and apparently made no effort to swim back to assists his would be rescuers. WOOF!
Woof indeed.
Looks like another Darwin award here!
Yes, based on Darwin, you should be the next to go. Yipee!
I doubt you actually know what is accord to Darwin and what is not.
It doesn't say where they were from, but most people from around these parts know / respect the Pacific surf.
I don't understand the "Ahhh California" comment. California isn't the only place people drown. Perhaps they weren't even from CA. Time will tell. Either way, it is tragic. Oddly, dogs always turn back up.
Condolences to the survivor(s) of this family.
Darwin Awards, all around. Animals can handle themselves. No need to play "Cap'N Save a Ho".
Stupid people, a dog will always survive before a human will. They are built to navigate better than a human.
People have come to reverse the roles and feel they have to protect an animal from the elements. I feel bad for the family but that was just too big a sacrifice.
If the attempt which had failed had been to save their son, everyone would admire them for their courage. Situational ethics and hypocrisy.
Peridot, not really. Humans(generally) contribute more to society than animals do. Animals make a difference in individual lives, while people have to opportunity to make a difference in society.
unless they are annon-2801871. then any contributions are unlikely.
Oh hell, I had no idea my next door neighbor had any idea this was me! Direct1 stop calling me out. But on a serious note, what I do is unknown to you, just as what you do is unknown to me. Who's to say what either of us contribute to society and if it is worth something? I feel that people make more contributions to society than dogs do. You feel that you need to make nasty comments just because people feel differently than you do.
Its about time some of these pet owners got a brain between their ears. A child - yes if it is possible. But you dying to not save someone is pretty stupid.
it's too bad you weren't there to educate them john. and since you seem to have no positive emotions, you wouldn't have had to worry about them getting in your way , like these peoples emotions did. Maybe if they were as selfish as you are they would still be alive?
The dogs always seem to survive these things which means people need not bother rescuing their dogs. If the dog can't make it, all that's lost is a dog and not 3 people.
"All that's lost is a dog".
What a pathetic life you must have.
How is it pathetic to display commen sense ? You fools saying what brave pet owners need your head read. 9 out of 10 times a dog will survive water and that 1 time it doesnt you can bet a human wont. To equate the life of a dog with human lifes is what's pathetic , empty life = empty head i suppose.
Donald, what's it like to live life without a soul.
But I bet we won't be reading about Donald and his spouse losing their lives while the dog makes it back to shore.
What dose having common sense = being soulless?
stepasidesue must have no friends or family? As much as I love my dogs and most animals for that matter, there is no way in hell I would sacrifice the lives of myself, spouse & child in a situation like this one!!!! My heart & SOUL, go out to the young girl who just lost her mother, her father and her brother. Sure, she still has the beloved family pet with perhaps a (8-15 year life span...on leash & w/ proper diet /vet care of course), but she will not have daddy to walk her down the isle-she will only have stories to tell her children about their uncle and grandma & grandpa (whom will not be around for the birth of their 1st grandchild etc..) and she will likely repress her memories of the beloved family pet that turned her whole world upside down; NOW THAT IS SAD!!!! :(
KAWABUNGA-surfs up.
Hey that was one of my best friends that drowned not funny
Condolences to you rexmaillie, I hope that you will keep up with the girl from time to time and be someone that she can count on in this horrible time in her life.
It's heartwarming to read so many comments from people who understand and would do as these folks did. I know in my heart that I wouldn't hesitate if it were my dog in the surf. All our emergency plans ~fire, tornado, et.al.~ include our companion animals. The kitties don't like going down the laundry chute when the tornado siren goes off but it's the fasted way to get them to the basement.
that's like trying to swerve to miss an animal in the road and then crashing and dying. Sad story
No it's not. You can die hitting an animal.
A sad ending to this story. My thoughts and prayers to the sister who called for help. I hope they at least find the brother also as he must have suffered the same as his parents. Hopefully, there is family that will take care of the sister and help her adjust to this horrific tradgedy. May the parents and son have eternal rest with God.
Well I can tell, you I lived in Humboldt Co. most of my life and never went swimming in that area, mabe Southern California but not up there, too scary!!! And I adored the lab that I had but would not give up my life for it.
I would have done the same thing. Anyone who has a dog knows that the dog is a part of the family too. A couple of years ago, I was out with my dog at the lake during the winter when the water was frozen over and she ended up running to the edge not knowing that she was on ice. The ice underneath her broke off and she fell into the water. This was a pretty big lake with large waves because it was windy that day, so the water was pretty deep. I ran to rescue her and as I was pulling her out of the water, the ice underneath me broke and I fell in too. I had somehow managed to pull my dog out of the water before I fell in. I'm not sure how but I managed to pull myself out of the water too without any more ice breaking off because we were pretty far off of actual land. It was pretty scary but I could have never forgiven myself if I would have just let my dog drown without trying to save her.
That was brave. I'm glad both of you made it safely home that day.
How were there waves if the lake was frozen over?
Waves....frozen over with ice?
Yea - and the land sharks were closing in. Give me a break!
Oh the imagination of some posters.
Hey, I've got a big fish story too: Once I was skying on thin ice with my Black Lab, Khalua, and I saw a giant psunami(sp) wave heading towards shore. I threw a tennis ball into the wave and when Khalua chased it I skied in after her and saved the day. Now my Grandchildren come to my grave twice a year and call me stupid.
Great story, huh!?
If the daughter is under age maybe the dog will work and take care of her..... smh
The whole lake wasn't frozen, morons.