If your child or partner fell in aswell as the dog or cat, I'd like to think you'd save your partner or child, But from what you've written i'm not so sure

1) I wouldn't, he would want me to save the cat, I know this for a fact.

2) Not applicable.

Let's hope you never have to make that choice.

i would.

however it would depend on the situation, there are physical limitations to my ability after all
i am poor swimmer, for example.

Just throwing this one out for all those who are happy to risk their life for their pet dont and care that there are humans left behind.

What if you have 2 pets - one of them is dying in the water so you jump in to save them but perish leaving the other pet watching on the banks. Still happy that you did the right thing?

I'd have perished so wouldn't care.

Rational choice doesn't come into it, it'd be a split second thing. I just couldn't stand by and watch any of my animals suffer and die without trying to help.

Are you serious? if so, I really pity you, and feel sorry for mankind, because to treat the life of an animal over a human is pathetic, ridiculous and disgusting, I've seriously can't imagine what going on in your brain, your partner and your cat is in danger, and you save the cat, jesus your partner is one lucky person.

Seriously, I love my dogs to bits, but if it was a choice between them and human, its OBVIOUSLY humans, I can't believe this even being debated. god.

i would risk my life in a heatbaet. I love my dogs like children

Well OBVIOUSLY I don't see humans as superior to any other life. No debate necessary.

And as I've said, I would save the cat because, seriously, my husband would never be able to live with himself for saving him over one of our pets. We have discussed this.

It may be obvious to you, but not to everyone..I believe that all life is precious and that animals life is of no lesser value than a humans.

If something awful were to happen where I had to lay my life on the line to protect my cat or dog, both animals that I have willingly taken on the responsibility of, then I hope I would find the courage to so....if I had to save my pet or any other family member, then, I believe I would first rescue the one which was in the most immediate danger, or which was the easiest to save, rather then the one which belonged to the same species as myself.

I would probably put myself in "harm's way" to rescue a pet. But I am practical and not a risk taker, so I'd be calculating the probabilities of risk as I go along.

I think it's one of those situations where you can't be positive what you'd do till you found yourself in the middle of the nightmare.

Feel very sorry for the family's loss.

Exactly.

On a bit of a tangent, I've been in a situation where someone collapsed and I could/should have acted to help but I just couldn't. Luckily there were others who could help because I don't know what sort of state I'd be in now if they weren't there, because the person didn't survive.

Before that if I'd have been asked would I help a sick person, I'd say yes, definitely.

Well seriously I cant understand anyone that would leave their daughter watching them perish for the sake of a pet as cherished as it may be. The pet didnt make it anyway and now the daughter is left with no Dad.

OK you lot that would happily wade in yourselves - would you be happy for your Dad to dive in there and not come back whilst you stand there watching?

I love my pets but I would rather have my Dad

Losing a child and losing a cat (or any pet) are incomparable and not something that should be made light of.

You've already been told what people think, why keep twisting the (hypothetical) scenario until someone agrees with you?

When I had a dog several years ago if I was walking near anything the could be a danger to him I'd have him on his extension lead, so that he'd have a bit of freedom but I could always stop him going too far, as dogs can be unpredictable it's better to be safe than sorry, and as I cannot swim there's no way I'd go into water.

How many times have we read of people trying to rescue their pet especially in winter time when ponds etc., get frozen over, and dogs fall in then owner looses life, it's very sad but totally preventable.

My heart goes out to that young girl and her family.

Not in the context of what I was replying to.

No, they aren't comparable. Losing a pet is horrible.

It isnt hypothetical - the kids Dad died trying to save the dog, that is what I am saying - would you be happy to watch your Dad trying to save the pet?

The only hypothetical bit i put in an earlier post was to replace the daughter with a pet seeing as people seemed to place the lives of pets above family

Might I suggest a 1st Aid course

It'll give you the necessary knowledge and confidence, should a similar situation arise.

I meant hypothetical in that we are discussing what we would so should that crop up. And people have answered.

Then you come along with: well what if it's 2 pets?
Or your dad and a pet?

What next?

What if it was your dog, your cat, your mum, your dad, a million pounds and great aunty nora, who should you save first? Who would die?

Thanks for that.

Whether that's a wind up or not, it's completely heartless *sticking up middle finger smilie*

OK you are missing my point.

Which was - you dont mind wading in to rescue your pet at risk of your life (i.e. the dad and the pet) and you dont mind who you leave behind (i.e. the daughter) but you couldnt equate to that as you said its not applicable to you - so I said what if you were leaving behind another pet (in place of the daughter)

But you said you wouldnt care as you would have perished anyway - so I tried to put you in the place of the daughter watching the dad trying to save the pet.

If that's your attitude, screw you.

I shan't bother posting to you in future.

Losing a pet is horrible though.