Would You Risk Your Life for Your Dog?

Would you risk your life or possible injury for your dog? Many people consider their pets to be members of their families and wouldn't hesitate to do whatever is necessary to protect their pet from harm.

According to nwfdailynews Fort Walton, Fla., resident Rick Eason, didn't think twice about what he had to do when his dog was attacked by a black bear in the family's back yard.

Reports state that Eason and his wife heard what they believed to be a fox or smaller animal rummaging around on their property. When they opened the door to investigate the noise, their Britain spaniel Beemer darted out the door only to end up in the jaws of a large black bear. When Eason saw his dog getting attacked by the bear, he rushed indoors, grabbed a bat, and then returned to the scene hitting the bear on the head with the bat. The blow stunned the bear causing it to release the dog. The bear then began chasing Eason. Luckily, the bear lost its balance falling into the family's pool, which gave the couple enough time to grab the dog and get indoors. Had it not been for the bear's unplanned swim, Eason could have been seriously injured, or even killed. The dog ended up with 14 puncture wounds, but is expected to make a full recovery.

This story is similar to one I wrote about in my blog Rabies on the Rise a couple of months ago. In true heroic form, Arizona resident Brandon Arnold saved his lab-pitbull mix, Apollo, from an attack by a rabid mountain lion. When the lion attacked, Arnold picked up a skillet he and his camping buddies had used for breakfast and knocked the lion unconscious. A friend then fired a few shots to make sure the mountain lion was dead. Luckily, the dog was up to date on its rabies shots and recovered from the scratches it sustained during the attack.

Luckily both of these stories ended happily for the dogs and their owners, but such is not always the case. A couple of weeks ago, a Massachusetts couple drowned while trying to rescue their dog. Daniel and Patricia Cyr were enjoying a pontoon boat ride in Hampton Ponds when their dog leapt into the water. Daniel, 64, jumped into the water after the dog, but became distressed and struggled to stay afloat. His wife, 61, jumped in after him and also became distressed. Neither was wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. Such a tragic ending for a family trying to save a beloved pet.

I know what it's like to love a dog. I've had several dogs throughout my life and have been crazy about each and every one of them. I never had to beat away a bear or mountain lion or save a drowning dog, but I have had to rescue a couple of my pets from potential harm. I once pulled a snake out of my dog Boo's mouth not knowing if it was poisonous or not. I also broke apart a fight between Fozzy, my golden retriever mix, and a neighbor's pitbull mix that had wondered into my yard. Either one of those incidences could have ended badly, but at the time, all I could think about was protecting my dogs.

Both Boo and Fozzy are long gone, but now I have a new puppy in my life. Buttercup, my 5-month-old boxer puppy, completes our family and makes an excellent companion for me and my children. Thankfully, I haven't had to come to her rescue yet. Although I wouldn't intentionally risk my life for her or any other pet, I would do what I could within reason to save her should she need saving.

So, have you ever risked your life or serious injury to save your dog? Would you?