So you all know about my Riley Roo. Mumblesmom and I have shared some stories with you in previous posts. This time I want to tell you an epic tale about my loveable black lab that exemplifies the personality of this spoiled but amazing pup. Now I know what some of you are thinking. Suddenly images of the TV show “Lassie” come to mind. You can probably picture scenes from the show where Lassie barks and a character on the show says something like “What’s that Lassie? Timmy is stuck in the abandoned mine shaft you say? Let’s go save him!” Ok the show was hokey, but for all of us in the 40-something age bracket, you probably loved the show as much as I did and begged your parents for a Rough Collie. So this story is of the “Lassie” variety, but the difference is this one is all true.
The winter before last Riley went to work with his dad (his master, not his sire). He was on a construction site at the edge of a lake. He had been going daily to this job and enjoyed sliding around the frozen lake and playing in the surrounding woods. His usual custom was to run around outside for about half an hour and then go back inside and nap near the heater. On this particular day Riley was gone for a little longer than usual. His Dad, getting a little worried, walked outside to look for our wayward dog. From the deck he could see Riley far out on the ice tugging at something on what appeared to be the surface of the lake. He called and whistled but Riley would not come. Instead Riley began barking frantically (remember from previous posts, this is the dog that rarely barks). No matter how much Dale called, Riley refused to budge and instead continud to alternate between barking and struggling with something.
Dale, realizing that Riley was not gong to follow command walked out on the ice. The closer he got to Riley, the more frantic Riley got, whining and barking. When Dale reached him he saw that there was another dog soaking wet and hanging over the edge of a hole in the ice. This mystery dog in trouble was barely breathing, soaking wet and had ice crystals forming on his fur. Dale was able to get the other dog the rest of the way out of the water and carried him off the ice and to the house he was remodeling. He toweled the dog down trying to warm him and increase the poor pooch’s circulation. Riley was whining and crying the entire time. Once Dale was certain that the dog’s breathing was becoming stronger he laid him on the floor near a portable heater in a pile of blankets. As soon as Riley could reach his new friend he calmed down and laid himself across the other dog in what appeared to be an attempt to get him warm. Luckily this particular dog was wearing a collar with tags that included a phone number. Dale was able to reach the owners who were greatly relieved to hear that their precious pet, who had been missing for a few hours, was diabetic and blind, had been found. Riley did not leave this dog’s side until the owners came to retrieve him.
He then slept soundly for the remainder of the day.
Ok. I know Riley is a dog, but I must say, when Dale related this to me at the end of the day, I felt like a proud parent. I do love my dog, but I still don’t kiss him on the lips.
If you have any stories you want to share about your pet I would love to read them!
Tags: black lab, dog tags, rough collie, vet
Entries (RSS)