Vocal Voices

I took Millie out for a walk along the canal this morning - it was lovely, very sunny and quite warm compared to recent days. It was very muddy and lots of big puddles everywhere though.

A puppy fell in the canal and I, being a good samaritan, lay on the floor on my belly in the mud and pulled it out as I knew it wouldn't get out on its own as it managed to fall in on the bit where the canal bank was a stone wall rather than an actual bank with reeds, etc. He had no owners with him (they were slightly further behind him along the tow path) other than their little girl. He wasn't a tiny, tiny puppy but was quite young - less than a year old I would say.

I got filthy as I had to lay on my stomach in all the mud so I could grab him by his collar to haul him out. I was rather wet and soggy walking back along the tow path to the car.

He was fine - shook himself and happily trotted off with his owners.

Well done,you, Debih - Gold Star!!

As long as you didn't put yourself in danger debih. My blood always runs cold when you hear about people jumping into rivers or lakes to rescue dogs. The dog scrambles out and the person drowns
I'm sure you are much more sensible, so well done

Well done Debih!

Sounds like you nearly gave yourself a mud face pack too.

you deserve a tin of roses or a bunch of flowers
why on earth dont dog owners keep dogs on leads when rivers are so swollen
idiots

I can't believe they were letting a young child walk alone along the river path with the dog - would they have heard the child if she'd slipped? They didn't hear the dog, obviously

Debih you are a star, well done - I expect most of us would do the same, although I agree with Loz about people putting themselves in danger when their dogs fall in. Mind you, you never know how you'll act on instinct - I have a feeling I might jump in for one of mine

You are a gem, Debih, a real gem.

But how did the owners/parents not see or hear?

Well done Debi. Did they say thanks?

That is just what I was about to ask Cromwell

Weeeeeeelllllll, what actually happened was, Millie and I were walking along (she off lead) and this family were walking towards us with the dog (off lead) and child - aged around 8 at a guess. Pup saw Millie and ran towards us, with girl running after her (as if in a game rather than in chase).

Pup bounded up to Millie, who was up for a game of chase so she ran forwards as if to sweep round in a circle around pup.

Pup thought, ooooh good game so ran in front of Millie like a game of chase. Pup went straight over canal edge, Millie (older and wiser) stopped dead.

It was the one section of canal where there are no reeds or sloped edge - just a concrete path that stops dead, usually about a foot above the water line. Water line was higher but too high for pup to be able to climb out so I had to lay on the floor in all the mud and grab the pup by the collar to drag it out.

The owners were t here by the time I had fished it out - it all happened very quickly.

They were very appreciative though I did feel a little guilty as Millie had pretty much chased it into the canal.

Pup seemed fine and they continued along the tow path - had to say if it had been me I would have headed back to the car to get it warmed up and dried.

I was very muddy and soggy walking the two miles back to the car!