We had a narrow escape today

[undeterred]

One of the dog parks I take Ollie to is bounded by a large lake and a creek. Both are completely frozen over in the winter, but we're in the season now where the lake ice is breaking up and sometimes re-freezing overnight. Ollie is leashed but allowed to run free in the park when there are no dangerous dogs. I try to steer him away from the lake because of danger of thin ice.

This morning there was just one other dog in the park and they were playing together for a long time. They both took off for the edge of the park, and I was talking to the other dogs ownner. His dog came back toward us in a few minutes, and she was soaking wet. I started calling Ollie and moving toward the edge of the park, but he did not come and I didn't hear anything.

When I got to the edge of the creek I saw that it was mostly thawed and he was hanging onto a large piece of ice about 2/3 of the way across. When he saw me he started scrambling and trying to get up on the ice, but instead he slipped off and went completely underwater.

I had no idea how deep the creek was. I called "help" a couple of times and stepped into it, with boots, jeans, and winter coat on. Ollie came back up out of the water and grabbed onto the ice again, but I could see there was no way he was going to get himself up onto it. I kept talking to him and walking toward him about 4 yards- the water was just over my waist. Ollie was only about 2 yards from the other side of the creek but of course he wanted to come toward me and the piece of ice was in between us.

Fortunately, the leash was up on the ice where I could reach out and grab it and pull him toward me. The ice broke away from him and I was able to pull him to the edge of the creek- he was swimming and I was keeping him at the surface. He got out and shook off the water on me. Nobody else was in the park at all. Ollie still wanted to play and didn't want to leave.

He likes the water but that may be the first time he actually had to swim. He is only 10 months old. There is no way he could have pulled himself out of the water and I am afraid the cold would have gotten to him if he were in for too long. I am glad I didn't have to dive for him or resuscitate him or swim in the freezing water, though I would have done it if I had to.

He's fine and doesn't seem to know what a close call he had. :scared:

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Amazing

Ollie is very lucky to have you.

And clearly that's mutual.

[undeterred]

5. Thanks.

:hi:

[Sanity Claws]

2. You're probably still shaking when thinking about it

:hug:

[undeterred]

6. The image of him clinging to the ice

keeps coming into my mind. :scared:

[elleng]

3. Great that you reached eachother!

What breed is he?

[undeterred]

4. He is an Australian Shepherd

that I got from a rescue in another state. He's the most fearless creature in the world... which has an upside and a downside!

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Those are great dogs

We often go watch them work at trials. They do Border Collies and Australian Shepherds in two different contests. Lots of AS breeders around here. And a lot of working dogs of both breeds.

[undeterred]

8. We started Agility 1 on Tuesday night

and he LOVED it, did everything without much coaxing. He obeyed the "come" command perfectly in class. In the park, not so much!

[Butch350]

9. Stop jabbering...

and keep your eye on your pet when in a place that preents hazrds. Jeeze some people. I love animals and not much confidence
in people anymore.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. Well said!!!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. That's a shitty thing to say.

[Grateful for Hope]

12. I can't believe you posted this

What are you doing on a "Human" message board if you have "no confidence in people anymore"?

The OP demonstrated her great love for her furbaby by doing whatever it was going to take to make sure that he was safe.

geesh.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. Oh my... You must have been so shaken up. So glad that you are both ok.

Pls give Ollie an extra bellyrub for me....
:grouphug:

[undeterred]

15. Thank you so much.

I am so glad it ended well. :hug: