[craigkoproski]

Last night I was eating dinner with the wife when we heard one of our dogs howling like crazy he's a husky so that's not uncommon but he usually does it when something is wrong. I went out to see what was going on and here's what happened. I live on a river and it was frozen but with the warm temps the ice got thin the dog had been running across it all winter due to the cold weather well last night he broke through right in the middle of the river and couldn't get out. I threw on my neoprene waders and headed out there to grab him I couldn't find my rope because it was buried under the snow so I started crawling to displace my weight but I couldn't get to him because the ice started cracking under me and I figured better to go in feet first rather than head first. I figured the water was about 4-5 feet deep in this spot but it was hard to tell so I stood up and walked toward him about three steps later I was in over my head and waders full of freezing water. My chest compressed like someone was standing on it I made my way over to my dog who was pretty panicked and tryed to climb on my pushing me down. I couldn't lift him up because I had no leverage and the ice I was leaning on kept breaking. I finally cleared my head and tried not to panick I forced my self under water for the 3rd time and pushed off the bottom launching the dog out of this hole now I was really starting to lose muscle control and I couldn't pull myself up onto the ice so I had to do it again I went down kicked off the bottom and made it onto my belly then crawled with my elbows to the side of the river. I was exausted and by the way wearing jeans and a t-shirt under my waders I finally made it to the house and my wife had to call 911 back to tell them that I got out of the water I flew into the shower and made it as hot as I could stand it. Sorry for the long story but after about 5 cups of tea last night and not really sleeping much because I kept thinking how easily I could have gone under and not come back up I am hear telling my story to you guys. Anyway I guess the moral is you never know what's going to happen or when so go home and kiss your children and hug your wives and enjoy life when you get the chance and fish as much as you can because none of us are going to be on our death bed saying I wish I worked a little more.

 

[MakoMatt]

craigkoproski, GREAT story with a GREAT ending and something for us all to think about.

You are VERY lucky!!!

MakoMatt

 

[strip]

Wow!

What a lucky dog!
Craig that is an amazing story!

That was a close one for you pal.

Good thing that kicking off the bottom thing worked.
Glad you didn't become another statistic.

 

[craigkoproski]

Thanks guys.

I can't even begin to tell you how fast your mind starts racing when something like that happens. I honestly thought my number was up. My heart goes out to all those that have perished in icy waters I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!

 

[186logic]

Amazing how quickly a situation can become dangerous. That was almost one for the "Darwin Awards"...good thing for hard bottom!

 

[MakoMike]

Craig,
Scary story, but I'm sure glad you're here to tell it!

 

[Brown Trout]

WOW! What a story!! Glad you made it out OK too Craig. BTW how's the dog?

 

[620427]

craigkoproski

i commened you compassion towards another of gods creatures.

your bravery shows your true nature !

i am sorry to hear about your close call, i am very happy that you were not injured in your rescue of the dog.

i showed your post to my wife who is a non fanatical member of PETA,

after she finished reading your post she was in tears.
for 10 minutes afterwards,
she did not stop speaking and crying about what a wonderful and selfless person you must be for the act you performed.
by the time she was done,
she had me close to tears.

"Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them,
but to stop there is not enough.

We have a higher mission--
to be of service to them whenever they require it...

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity,
you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men "

Saint Francis of Assisi

(This post edited by Megalodon on 02/21/2003)

 

[Capt.XXX]

I'm glad your OK!

And I'm glad your dog is OK too! Just goes to show you that you can't really let your dog out un-attended. It sounds like you don't have a fenced in area. I'm sure you learned this now, but as a responsible dog owner you should never let your dogs out in an area where you can't keep an eye on them -- see how fast trouble can happen!!! If you do allow you dog to go about off lead, they should be supervised at all times -- lesson learned!!!

Again. I'm glad everything is OK this time!

 

[Capt.XXX]

Question for Megdaloden...

Can you explain this statment: "Non fanatical member of PETA" ???

 

[622158]

P.eople E.ating T.asty A.nimals

P.eople E.ating T.asty A.nimals

Non fanatical member must be one who only eates their meat after it has been properally butchered by professionals in a sanitized enviroment.

Like a steroid injected Steer that has been raised in a filthy crowded stanky old cow pen and had its head bashed in with a sledge hammer and hung in a tempature controled wharehouse with rats and roches before being wrapped in that buthcher tampon paper that was made with caustic salts from recycled rags in a sweatshop papermill.

Never would the PETA person ever catch or shoot their fresh own food.

It might make their Abercrombies soiled.

So. I guess you near to buy a Waterdog next time. Like a Lab or Newfie.

 

[mojoe]

><)))):> THANK GOD <(((><

WOW craig all i could say is, GOD WAS WITH YOU AND YOUR DOG ON THAT NIGHT. GOD BLESS! ~~~ PEACE ~~~ MOJOE......><)))):> ~~~ ><)))):>

 

[620427]

please click here

 

[craigkoproski]

Thanks for all of your responses!

I am glad to say that everyone is doing fine. I am dealing with a pretty nasty cold but that is to be expected. The dog "flapjack" is a siberian husky thank God and the whole ordeal hasn't phased him a bit. Capt. XXX I do have the dogs on an electric fence however it runs under the river at the top and the bottom that way in the summer time he can go for a swim and cool off. But your right it is my responsibility to keep an eye on him especially with the latest attacks on pets by coyotes. i.e. Kathy Lee Giffords dog. Thanks again for the concern. Craig

 

[STRIKERTHREE]

being you live on a river maybe you should invest in a used aluminum boat like 12 ft so if this happens next time all you do is crawl into the boat and slide out on the ice you are very lucky

 

[186logic]

How large a dog will coyote's take on?

 

[craigkoproski]

Bigger than you think!

There was an article in the greenwich time claiming that one took down a border collie in town that weighed 50lbs. I highly doubt it was just one coyote. I do alot of bowhunting and 2 years ago I shot a coyote in Monroe, CT it weighed about 35 lbs. it was pretty ratty looking but I beleive that if there were a couple of them together they could do a number on a dog. They sure do a number on young deer. The scary thing is where they are showing up I live right along side the merrit parkway and there have been quit a few killed by cars pretty close to my house and that's in Stamford not like I'm in the sticks or something.

 

[Brown Trout]

COYOTES

are tenacious and smart.

If your seeing them hit by cars w/ any regularity, there are a lot more than most people think running around out there.

If hungry or cornered they will take on anything...including parents trying to shoo them from the yard where their children are playing. Small dogs and cats don't stand a chance.

I live in Westchester and bowhunt as well. I have seen yotes that will go 50# and when they run in packs they take on much larger prey than they will alone. I own a 100# rottwieler and I keep a close eye on him when he goes out at night since the woods I hunt are 100 yards behind the house. I'm sure he could handle 1, but not a pack like I've seen and heard from the treestand on numerous occasions.