A woman visiting her family in Womesldorf fell through an icy pond last Thursday while trying to save one of her two Border Collies who also fell through the ice at Conrad Weiser Homestead. The Border Collie was chasing a goose when the incident occurred. The woman is okay after being saved by firefighters. Unfortunately, the dog hasn’t been found and is presumed dead.
Sadly, we hear similar stories every year where dogs, in particular, fall through ice and find it difficult or unable to escape from their perilous situation. I’m sure there are those non-pet owners curious to understand why we pet owners would go to great lengths to save out pets.
Simply ask me and I will tell you why. I love my dogs. Each has been an important part of my family and they mean the absolute world to me. I share an unconditional love with them and they for me. It’s an undeniable love as anyone would have for their child. Would you save your child if placed in identical circumstances? Of course, you would. That’s why I would do anything to save my pet’s life.
Before we would arrive at this life or death setting, we need to be prepared before going for walks in close proximity to frozen or partially frozen bodies of water. The case with the Border Collie is a prime example. Border Collies are known for chasing animals. I’m not placing blame but it may have been wise for this breed of dog to be on a leash because of its chasing tendencies. All dogs have the tendency to run at a moment’s notice. It makes complete sense to keep our dogs secure when walking them.
How do we know if the bodies of water we come in contact with are safe? The answer is, we can’t. Here on the Eastern side of the nation, we’ve been recently going through a patch of cold air which has been solidifying our ponds and small bodies of water. But, is the water frozen deeply enough to venture out on it?
I personally feel it’s never safe to put your pet’s life, let alone your own, in harm’s way. I know many people who enjoy taking their pets for a winter’s walk. Dogs still need exercise in the winter. Having an unleashed dog near any icy body of water is extremely dangerous. Do you know how to determine the safety of the ice? It’s based on multiple factors including appearance of the color, texture and features, thickness of the iced, external temperature over a period of time and on the day, snow coverage, depth of water under ice, size of water body, chemical composition of water, local climate fluctuations and extent of ice, cracks, breaks or weak spots, and abnormal surfaces.
Here are a few tips on the coloring of the ice: (Source: WikiHow)
Light gray to dark black- melting ice- NOT SAFE!
White to Opaque- water-saturated snow freezed on top of ice forming another thin ice layer. (STILL WEAK)
Blue to Clear- High density, very strong, SAFEST ICE TO BE ON IF THICK ENOUGH, STAY OFF IF LESS THAN FOUR INCHES
Motted and slushy or “rotten ice”- The ice is thawing and slushy. May seem thick at top but is rotting away at center and base. Most prevalent in Spring. Not suitable for a footstep!
There are other variables when it comes to the safety of ice. Here in the Northeast, we are expecting warmer temperatures again this coming week. We’ve gone back and forth with temperatures which makes any ice too fragile to step on at this time.
That’s why we must leash our pets if we’re taking them out for a walk at this time of year. The woman who was rescued was lucky she was rescued. I, too, would have done the same as she did. I couldn’t allow my helpless dog to try and escape on his own and not do anything to save him. That’s not me. I would do anything I could do save his life. I understand this woman’s actions completely.
Isn’t it better to be prepared for this type of situation before it happens.?
I’m glad the woman is okay but I can only imagine the pain and sadness she is feeling knowing she wasn’t able to save her precious dog’s life My sympathies go out to her and to her family.
Remember this saying to know if the ice is safe:
THICK AND BLUE, TRIED AND TRUE; THIN AND CRISPY, WAY TOO RISKY!
Please keep your pets and yourself safe this winter!
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