Night swimming in the bay in December...I don't recommend it.
I walked out to the end of the dock tonight to turn off some lights. My two dogs followed me out there. As I was walking back to the house in the dark, I heard a big splash behind me. Panicked, I looked back and just as I feared there was only one shadowy outline of a dog behind me...the dachshund was somewhere in the bay. I tried to think of any other option but I couldn't, and jumped in fully dressed in jeans, wool sweater, shoes. I couldn't see anything, not the water below me or the dog. We were about 50 feet out, and I could hear her swimming away from me toward shore. I was calling her but she must have been panicked and kept swimming. She might have made it out on her own if it weren't for the seawall. Finally, I managed to reach her by following the sound of her grunting as she got more cold/scared/tired. I got her out of the water and managed to scale the seawall. I was coated in black mud from the knee down. Both of us were freezing. I still can't believe I went in after her. Poor Ellie.
Replies
50
SoWal Insider
:shock: wow! glad you are ok.
I dont like cold water and in the dark not much better. you have done something that I for sure have not.
I dont like cold water and in the dark not much better. you have done something that I for sure have not.
Beach Fanatic
OMG - Bless your and Ellie's heart! I am glad both of you got out okay. I would have done the same thing for my baby!
Beach Fanatic
Where is that Skunky when you need him? Glad you and Ellie are ok.
Glad you and Ellie are ok.
Beach Fanatic
Goodness girl, you worry me to death!!! Guess you gotta do what you gotta do, but 
Just glad you are both ok!!
Just glad you are both ok!!
Beach FanaticAuthor
It was one of those panic moments where I acted without really thinking...I just imagined the poor dog drowning in that cold water. I'm just glad she wasn't hurt. Actually, I'm kind of shocked she managed not to drown...she's 13 years old, it was dark, she fell several feet into very cold water, and managed not to sink like a stone. She's curled up on her bed now, none the worse for wear.
Edited
Meow
...:clap_1: I would have done the same thing rapunzey. Can you even imagine the amount of adreneline pumping through you both? :shock: Thank goodness this story had a happy ending.
Beach Fanatic
So glad you and Ellie are safe and warm. That is a scary experience! Ellie is fortunate to have you.
SoWal Insider
OMG Punzey! You better be careful, you are both very lucky! That scared me for you and Ellie just reading it! Now I am going to worry about you all the time! I can imagine the pure panic feeling when you heard the splash....and then turned around and only one dog! Glad you are both ok, be careful out there. My ding dong dog Sweetie (I never said she was smart....just pretty!) did that one time at the lake after a midnight boat ride, we were coming back off of the pier when I heard "splash" turned around and saw Sweetie swimming off after something....it was an otter! All I could think was it was gonna drown her. About the time I was about to jump in one of my guy friends that was with us grabbed her dumb as$ as she swam by the end of the boathouse! At least this happened in the summer and not in December!
Punzey, Patrick and Ellie....be careful!
SoWal Insider
Glad you are both ok. I would've done the exact same thing too.
SoWal Insider
I am so glad you both are OK! One of our older schnauzers jumped/fell in our pool in late January. Like you I plunged right in to get her clothes shoes and all. At least mine was in a pool and it was daylight! I can imagine how scary that must have been! Again, I'm so glad you are both OK.
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
you stopped my heart with this story! I am SO GLAD you & pup are OK!
SoWal Expert
Poor little Ellie...she's lucky to have a good mommy that will do anything for her! BTW- did you find your shoes this morning?:shock:
This just gave me a great idea for a Christmas break project for Will (to keep him off the computer). He and Dr. Skunky can build a little tiny safety fence on the dock for Ellie! It should take them the entire vacation. 
Then she can hang out with Rapunzel and be safe!
This just gave me a great idea for a Christmas break project for Will (to keep him off the computer). He and Dr. Skunky can build a little tiny safety fence on the dock for Ellie!
It should take them the entire vacation. Then she can hang out with Rapunzel and be safe!
bean
Glad you're both okay! You are very brave! So happy it ended well!
SoWal Expert
Your little Ellieg hasn't been listening to R.E.M. and getting ideas about "Nightswimming," has she?
Beach Fanatic
Chill bumps from reading this! Frannymann jumped in Eastern Lake after our Jack Russell in the winter so I know you do what you have to do for the lovepups. So glad you are both ok!!Beach FanaticAuthor
Poor little Ellie...she's lucky to have a good mommy that will do anything for her! BTW- did you find your shoes this morning?:shock:
This just gave me a great idea for a Christmas break project for Will (to keep him off the computer). He and Dr. Skunky can build a little tiny safety fence on the dock for Ellie!
Poor WDarg...he's in danger of becoming my Christmas slave with all these little projects. He's such a good kid. How about this for an idea...let me see if Ellie will even walk out on the dock again before we go to such extreme lengths...something tells me she won't.
Your little Ellieg hasn't been listening to R.E.M. and getting ideas about "Nightswimming," has she?
As a matter of fact...I've been on an Automatic for the People kick lately. Do you think exposure to "Everybody Hurts" is going to drive her to a Kurt Cobain moment next?
SoWal Expert
Poor WDarg...he's in danger of becoming my Christmas slave with all these little projects. He's such a good kid. How about this for an idea...let me see if Ellie will even walk out on the dock again before we go to such extreme lengths...something tells me she won't.
As a matter of fact...I've been on an Automatic for the People kick lately. Do you think exposure to "Everybody Hurts" is going to drive her to a Kurt Cobain moment next?
I'm giving Will about 1 more hour before the holiday work schedule begins!
Beach Fanatic
Whewwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I' am glad you are both all right!!!!
SoWal Expert
Rapunzey, you are my new hero. :clap_1:
:clap_1:
Skunky
Theory confirmed, Ellie is more resiliant than a cockroach. JDarg, please don't assign honeydo's to me.
fartblossom
rapunzy - yer a good doggy mommy !:clap_1:
SoWal Expert
Theory confirmed, Ellie is more resiliant than a cockroach. JDarg, please don't assign honeydo's to me.
I think you may have a little shopping list.
little sugar
Oh my gosh ! I would have done the same thing, so glad you found her time for a doggie flotation device!!
time for a doggie flotation device!!Skunky
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I think you may have a little shopping list.
Eggnog, boudin and pastry. That is not a chore, that is a labor of love. By the way, need more coffee?
Beach Fanatic
Oh gosh I'm glad you AND your pooch are OK!!!
Over here, it is so shallow that most dogs would be OK, but possibly not a dachshund...and you would have broken your neck or sustained a spinal injury jumping off the dock. But I would have done the exact same thing!
Over here, it is so shallow that most dogs would be OK, but possibly not a dachshund...and you would have broken your neck or sustained a spinal injury jumping off the dock. But I would have done the exact same thing!
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