Our hearts go out to the Cyr family. It’s such a tragedy, but sadly I’ve reported this type of story before. Dog falls in water, owner jumps in, owner dies, dog lives. Many times people jump in without thinking of their own safety.
I have a lot of experience boating in the ocean with my dogs. First, get life jackets for your dogs. They have handles at the top so if your dog falls in the water, you can lean over the boat, grab it and pull your pup back in the boat.
Second, quickly throw on a life jacket (WHICH YOU BETTER HAVE), then jump in to get your dog. Many times, dogs look like they are struggling but it’s really just the way they swim.
And third, if there is another person on the boat, they too should put on a life jacket and then grab the flotation ring (I KNOW YOU HAVE THIS TOO, RIGHT?) that has a rope connected to it and then get in position to safety throw it to you if you need it.
Safety FIRST is the name of the game! If you do what I just proposed, you and your pup will be safely back on the boat and drying off in no time. The Dog Files wants everyone to live a beautiful life with their beloved pooches!
Kenn Bell
Dog Files Creator
WESTFIELD, MA. – Daniel Cyr, 63, and his wife Patricia, 61, of Westfield, Mass. drowned while attempting to save their Sadie, a West Highland terrier.
Daniel Cyr, a strong swimmer, left his handmade wooden pontoon to retrieve the couple’s dog, Sadie, a West Highland terrier who had probably fallen into the water.
Patricia, saw her Daniel in distress and dove in to help him even though she couldn’t swim. She tried to reach him but couldn’t and they both drowned before help could get to them. Police said neither were wearing life preservers.
Their immediate family said the couple loved animals deeply and Daniel was a regular volunteer at the nearby Forest Park Zoo.
Their dog, Sadie survived and will live with Daniel’s sister, the family said.
This also happen in Dayton Ohio a few years ago around Christmas time ,the couple was walking their new puppy and the pup got to close to the water and the current took the dog away and the wife jump in to save the dog, the husband jumped in to save the wife and they all drowned,, this is so sad but it tells you how much they love their animals
Sad story. Too bad it had to end this way. Rest in Peace!
Sad story. Too bad it had to end this way. Rest in Peace!
There are a million sites where one can buy dog life jackets. If you bring you dog on a boat get one, even if you have a “water dog”. A reminder, you can also buy dog restraints for the car, doggy seat belts. My dogs got used to them.
Ugh. That’s so awful. How terribly sad.
I know these two people and this is Sad beyond words!!!
What a bittersweet story! So often we hear of the abuse and torture of animals and the perpetrator walking free. What love that both adults would attempt to save their Sadie! Points well taken and well said, Kenn…we had a sailboat and whenever we went out, our Springer always wore his vest (Hey, if he fell in you could pick him up like a six pack!) and we always had life jackets at hand. Fortunately, we never had to test any of them.
Cyr family especially Sadie, you’re in our thoughts and hearts…
I used to work as a 911 dispatcher near a large river and the ocean, and this happened far too often. The dog almost always lived…the owners…not so much. Part of the issue is that dogs have most of their weight distributed horizontally and in the torso, so they have an easier time staying on the surface of the water (plus their nose is on the end of a muzzle and easier to keep out of the water). People, on the other hand…do not. We tend to tip downwards with our legs. In a river situation especially, this causes us to get pulled under by currents or get caught in things under the water (trees, rocks, etc). So, though it is horrifying to see a dog go overboard, they have a better chance of making it or making it longer, than you do. Very sorry to hear this.
Agonizing tale of love and devotion.
They Died for a life, and family member they loved. I respect them for that. I’d have done the same.
I’d die for my dog.
Wat een triest verhaal zeg. Toppunt van liefde voor je hond.
What’s not stated here is that Dan was only in chest deep water and suffered a heart attack while retrieving Sady. Pat jumped in to try and save him, but just wasn’t able to do so….
SO TERRIBLE TO READ!!!! MADE ME CRY!!! I FEEL SO BAD FOR THE FAMLY AND FRIENDS OF THE COUPLE!!!!! I KNOW THAT I WOULD DO ANYTHING. FOR MY FURDOG ALSO!!!!! HE’S. MY FAMILY !!!!! LIKE A SON. TO MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND!!!!!!! I LUV DUKE (SRINGER SPANIEL) HE’S SUCH AN LUVING FURDOG!!!!!!!! I’M. SO HAPPY TO HEAR FAMILY TOOK THE LITTLE FURDOG IN!!!!! I THINK IT’S. SO SAD WHEN SOME PEOPLE JUST DROP THEM OFF SOMEWHERE. OR AT AN SHELTER!!!!! I TOLD MY CHILDREN. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO US I WANT ONE OF THEM TO TAKE DUKE HOME WITH THEM!!!!!!!!