"You can only save one from drowning - your dog or a stranger. Which one?"

I know...a dog is not a person technically, but emotionally it is to me.  There is no way I could let one of my dogs go.

However, there could be circumstances that may change the scenario. Suppose the person was a child and the dog was my eldest dog, Mandy, who is 10.  Although she most likely has several years left, she has had a good long life, and in that case I would save the child for sure.  It would be really hard, but I could not let a child drown for anything.  In the case of my Sierra, who is my soul-mate and my sweet baby girl, although she is almost 8, I would have to let her go also, it there was a child involved.  But this scenario makes me flounder. She means more to me than any dog that I have ever owned, and I cannot bear to think of letting her drown. This question is really turning out to be a disturbing one.  It makes me question my humanity. The thought of making a decision like this tears me apart inside. Could I really let a person go to save my dog? I think I could under the following circumstances.

I do think my answer is yes, depending on the age of the human. I would say anyone in their 20’s or less I would save.  I could not let them lose their chance of having children and grandchildren.  Why, they wouldn’t even get to experience having a dog :-)

While I would like to say that I would save any human before my dogs, I know if the time came I could not lose my dog. Yes, I do consider them very close to human and a lot easier to live with than people.  I know most people do not agree with that philosophy, but the depth of love for a dog can go deeper and deeper depending on the person.  

I am trying to be as honest as I can in this hypothetical (thank God) situation.  I hope no one will think less of me.  Maybe if this dreadful situation actually took place, my response would be different, but this is how I would imagine myself reacting. 

I hope my Mandy girl will always know how to swim.  The other two dogs are a lost cause :-)

I adore my pets and I love animals in general.  I have worked with animal rescue organizations for years and done much to try and improve the lives of animals, whether dog, cat or any other creature.  Because I am so passionate about the animals, that has lead some people to wonder if I care more about animals than people.  I know that many others like me have faced the same type of misunderstanding.  We have been asked questions like this one or ones like, "If a house was burning would you try to save the animals inside or the people inside first?"  I have to tell you, in all my years, I have never met anyone who said that they would save the animal over the person (however, maybe someone here would choose the animal over the person, but I doubt it, I'm interested in seeing the other answers).  I care greatly about animals, but I also care greatly about people and I would certainly save a stranger over my dog.

Now, let me elaborate beyond the basic idea of saving a person over an animal, other reasons I would save the person over my dog are as follows.  I believe that my dog would pass over to a better place, yes, I believe that animals have spirits and that they pass on to heaven, so although I would miss my fury friend terribly, I would be sad for myself, but not for her.  Plus, in my opinion, my dog would want me to save the stranger.  All the dogs (and cats) that I have known sense when a human is in distress (emotional and/or physical) and want to try and help that person if they can.  Even if it is just laying a comforting head on your lap when you are sad.