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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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Sources: My wavering conscience
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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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