Comments on: Pool proof your dog and prevent drowning

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:37:45 +0000

We lost our 6 year old Border Collie, Bella, the day after Christmas. We came home to find her floating face down in the koi pond. The pond had iced over in the cold weather and although an excellent swimmer and the pond very easy to exit, she still drowned no more than 3 feet from the edge. We are devastated as she was a loyal, best friend every day she was with us. We just bought this place 2 months ago and were contemplating a fence or screening because we also have young children. Never in a million years did we think that Bella, who loved the pond, would ever have a problem with it.

By: Gayle Willard

Gayle Willard — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:04:32 +0000

I guess I’m a lucky one. My dog Bo, a four month old Lab, fell in our pool during the night last night. It was his first snowfall and there was about an inch on the ground. My pool deck is level with my kitchen patio doors…he usually goes down the stairs with his two pack mates but he didn’t. He either fell in or slid in in his excitement with the snow. I didn’t know he was in there struggling under the ice until my other dog was barking uncontrollably at the side of the pool. In my barefeet I went to the pool and saw waves in the ice clearing…but NO Bo…I called his name and he came up through the water briefly and back down. I stuck my cane in the water and he came back up and grabbed the side of the pool with one paw….I grabbed his paw and dragged him about 10 feet to the stairs…he was nearly frozen….I put him in a warm shower and he coughed for quite awhile getting the water up….I thought I’d lost a child..I’ve cried for hours over this. My son is hospitalized or ordinarily the pool would’ve been covered before the ice came. I’m so thankful that his little Pomeranian sister alerted me….she has a bark that means trouble and she’s really smart to come for my help…

By: Gayle Willard

Gayle Willard — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:04:16 +0000

I guess I’m a lucky one. My dog Bo, a four month old Lab, fell in our pool during the night last night. It was his first snowfall and there was about an inch on the ground. My pool deck is level with my kitchen patio doors…he usually goes down the stairs with his two pack mates but he didn’t. He either fell in or slid in in his excitement with the snow. I didn’t know he was in there struggling under the ice until my other dog was barking uncontrollably at the side of the pool. In my barefeet I went to the pool and saw waves in the ice clearing…but NO Bo…I called his name and he came up through the water briefly and back down. I stuck my cane in the water and he came back up and grabbed the side of the pool with one paw….I grabbed his paw and dragged him about 10 feet to the stairs…he was nearly frozen….I put him in a warm shower and he coughed for quite awhile getting the water up….I thought I’d lost a child..I’ve cried for hours over this. My son in hospitalized or ordinarily the pool would’ve been covered before the ice came. I’m so thankful that his little Pomeranian sister alerted me….she has a bark that means trouble and she’s really smart to come for my help…

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:01:26 +0000

Question: We just adopted a three-year old Border Collie-Corgi mix. He is quite cautious, but as your excellent blog points out, you can never know for sure if or when a dog will end up in the pool. As it is nearly November and the pool water is quite cold, however, should we go ahead to place him in the pool and direct him to the steps? Or are there other cold-weather steps we should take? Thank you for your life-saving advice!

By: Selena

Selena — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:13:41 +0000

I too wish there was more out there to bring attention to pets and pools. I’ve toddler proofed our pool but never thought about my 14 1/2 year old yorkie, Nikko, falling in. Just this morning we let him outside while we were getting ready for work. He’s an inside dog and usually comes right back to the back door and barks to come in. After a few minutes we noticed he hadn’t come to the back door. It was still dark outside and I went out to find him. I found him floating near the steps. I knew he was nearing the end but this is not how I thought it would happen. I feel extremely guilty. I should have been more aware that he can’t see very well and in the dark could lose his way. I feel guilty because I wasn’t there with him. He was a loyal family member and had been a friend for 14 1/2 years. I let him down. My heart is filled with pain and guilt. I hope it was quick and that we can get the word out that pets like children are vulerable to swimming pools. Nikko, I’m sorry, I love you and will always miss you.