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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 :-)
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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.
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I would have to put a human life, any human life, ahead of my dog's life. And if you knew how much I love my dog, you'd know that's saying a lot. My little Pom goes everywhere with me. She is my "soul mate" (shhh, don't tell hubby!). She has a Myspace page, and I post for her there (her itty paws just can't work the keyboard). I tell her all my secrets. I taught her how to swim (unusual for a pom) but she's not a strong swimmer, so this could conceivably happen some day, and it would be the darkest day of my life. I'm fairly sure that when she is gone, I will mourn her like no other. That dog has been through a LOT with me. From the day I brought her home and she road around the house in my pocket, up to now - 6 years later, there isn't anything that I haven't been willing to do for her. But cost another human his life for her sake? I could never do that.
Now, let's say that you took your question one step further, and said that the person who is drowning is a murderer. Then I'd start to reconsider my earlier statement of "any human life." That would be a very tough call for me, and honestly? Not sure what I'd do.
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Human life is sacred, even if the man or women were an enemy of mine I would save the human before a dog. Yet, I would try to save the dogs too. Both my dogs, though they don't like water much, are great swimmers, so I would be surprised if they drowned anyway, they would find a way out.
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But...his life is not more precious than that of a human being. The person I saved could be someone's father, son, or brother. I love animals and especially dogs, but I don't confuse them with humans.
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This dog sits on his hind legs on the bed and barks at himself in the mirror. he sees action movement on tv and barks. He runs barking in the kitchen and no one is at the door and he doesnt have to go outside either! He also has submissive peeing when he gets excited to see someone new he pee's and when we come home and talk to him in an excited voice he pee's! He is a year and 8 months old. The little girl puppy is three months younger then him and now she is starting to submissive pee when I first come home and talk to her she gets so excited to see me that she pee's. Back to the boy dog he barks sometimes until He realizes it is me walking into the room and or growls when I approach him laying with my mother. He even stares at the moon, chases birds, eats bugs or small snakes, even his own poop. I am worried about him! What is wrong with him is it jealousy or resentment or feeling left out because of the newer puppy? They are miniature dachshunds!!!
Doglover, wtg getting Best Answer. I gave you 5 stars, as I said, which took you a long way toward that rating, while at the same time I kept thinking this is a sad commentary on society today. What's worse is that you are probably right to feel the way you do...damndest thing...
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