Creek Tragedies Do Happen...

The most recent snowfall had stopped and Natureman had decided to go snowshoeing to go get the mail and our dog Romeo had accompanied him. 

Either the creek trail was a bit too deep in snow for Romeo/ he had just picked up a scent, our dog opted to go down a steep bank to run on the frozen creek.  He was out of sight when Natureman heard pitiful whimpering.  Romeo must have hit a spot where apparently a fast current ran under the ice and had fallen through. He was frantically trying to hold on to the edge of the opening with his front paws, only to have more ice break away.  Natureman got down the embankment as fast as his snowshoes would allow and then inched his way towards a floundering Romeo, distributing his weight while moving towards the hole so as to not join Romeo in the freezing water.  All that was out of the opening was Romeo's head and front paws so Natureman grabbed one paw first to get a hold and then the other as he pulled Romeo onto the ice.

The dog was so petrified that instead of following Natureman back up the bank, he scurried back along his previous creek tracks as Natureman yelled after him to come back.  Eventually, a shaken Romeo rejoined him on the path.

It was about this time I drove down our road and saw the boys.  Romeo ran up to greet me at the car door and as I patted him, I noticed his wet coat with ice forming on it. It was then that Natureman related the heroic rescue.

I immediately opened the back car door for Romeo to jump in and put the heat on high. He looked so distressed.  Heck I was distressed and I wasn't even there...  

Fortunately today a tragedy was averted thanks to Natureman and there was a happy ending, thank G-d.  A snow covered frozen creek that looks so beautiful can be so treacherous. The reality is I could have lost both of them. This was one of those days when there was just way too much excitement in the End of the Rainbow Valley...

Romeo warming himself by the wood stove