RYL Underground

Would you risk your life to save your dog or cat?

Say it fell into a rushing river or the ocean and the only way to save it was for you to jump in, risking your life in the process. Would you do it? Or how bout if both you and your dog/cat were starving to death and there was one more bit of food and water between you that could keep you alive just long enough to be rescued. Would you give your dog/cat any? I've heard people in this country view their dogs and cats as "family members" more than just animals or possessions and I'd like to find out how true that is.

Public Comments

1. Yeah I would.
2. I would most defintetly risk my safety and life for my dog, good thing im a good swimmer 8P. and with food, im bigger and can last longer without it.
3. Of course I would. My dog is like my "child". Would you do it for your child? My dog actually saved my life. My house caught on fire and he woke me in time to get out. If not for that i would have died from smoke inhalation.
4. i would never get a cat or dog. i cant stand pets. i dont think anyone should be arrested for dogfighting. they are not humans. they bite humans and pee all over the house
5. No way. I love my animals but they are just that animals. Do you have children? If you save your dog, is he going to feed your children??? What about if you don't have children, don't you think it would be nice to have children? Or do you put such a low value on your own species that you would rather you cat have a litter of kittens. Anyone that says they would, it is cute to think that. But I am sure if the situation actually came down to it. NO they wouldn't be serious at the end of the day they are just animals. Though we do love them and there personality's they are animals.
6. Of course. They're my friends and I don't have any silly feelings that humans are somehow better than all other animals, either. We're all animals. And most of the non-human ones are a lot nicer than the human ones. They're definitely not possessions, as far as I'm concerned. They're living, thinking creatures with distinct personalities.
7. I would die for my cats...their family to me.
8. 1/2 the people that try to save an animal in distress end up either severely injured or dead and don't accomplish anything. BUT 90% of animals that get into difficult situations manage to extricate themselves with no interference or help from humans. People in North America do value their pets as family members but the saner ones temper that with common sense. That said; I will answer the question; Drowning or threatened by water - I am a poor swimmer - my dog is an excellent swimmer - the dog will have to save himself. Starvation - I would eat the dog - sure as Heck, if I were to die, he would eat me. But, if I knew for a fact that rescue was hours away I would share with the dog. The problem here, and not addressed by the question, is who is going to care for and provide for my family if I die saving an animal. Anyone here willing to take on that responsibility for me? Didn't think so !
9. No way, my cat wouldn't!!
10. Yes I would risk my life for one of my own or for anyone else's animal in danger,in fact I have.Once when doing cat rescue I went down a well, it was only after I got the kitten off the ledge it was clinging to and passed up to safety I wondered how I'd get back out myself. As you can see...I did get out eventually lol The thing is, it's instinct to save a life, a persons or an animals,you just get a burst of adrenaline and know you can't stand by and watch and do nothing.
11. Like Katta. said, I think I would react on instinct, and chances are I would risk my life. But if I had time (!) to reason any bit I probably wouldn't because of my kids. Hope never have a chance to find out.