Usually here, I report on how a dog or cat saves a human. This is a sad story of a young teen from my neck of the woods who gave his life trying to save his dog. From the Buffalo News:
SHELBY - An Orleans County teenager died early Friday morning after falling through some thin ice on a town of Shelby creek to rescue his dog, Orleans County sheriff's officials reported.John W. Barrett, 17, a junior at Medina High School, left his house just after 6 a.m. to walk with his dog along Route 63, according to deputies.
During the walk near Oak Orchard Creek, police said the dog ran out onto the ice and fell through into the water. Barrett ran onto the ice to try and save his dog and fell through as well.
The dog's remains were recovered at about 9:15 a.m.
About three hours later, Barrett's body was recovered by rescue/recovery teams about 30 yards downstream from where he was last seen.
I'm sad now. But this brave and loving young man deserves all of our praise and prayers.
It is a sad story for those left on earth who love him, but I bet for John he wouldn't have want to leave this earth any other way. I know I wouldn't.
Posted by: Jeff at February 13, 2005 09:54 PMI have told my cats many times, and I mean it, I would gladly give up my life to save theirs. This is a truly sad story but it's also a story of a young hero who tried to save his best friend. This is what so many ancient writers scribed about. This is what God talked about in the bible: The ultimate sacrifice. For life and death to have any meaning, I have to believe that John and his dog are together right now. I wish the article had given the dog's name but so be it. Tears come to my eyes even now, a week after I first wrote about it.
Posted by: Jeff Soyer at February 15, 2005 05:48 PMIt's true that God Loves Us. He gave us Dogs, Cats and Horses to show us. Heaven has a place for animal lovers and their precious pets.
Posted by: Deborah Sullivan at February 23, 2005 10:51 AM