Two days ago, I started my day as usual. Though this day started a bit earlier because I was excited about picking up my new rifle at Kesslerings. After my usual breakfast of coffee and poptarts, I collared up'd and leased my two Plott Hound mix dogs to take for their morning walk. Everyday pretty much for the past couple of years I have been taking them down to the Tolt River in Carnation. Our house backs up to the Snoqualmie trail so we use this daily and love it. Nothing beats a good morning walk down to the river. This day starts like every other day and I sure didnt expect that to change. There is this little spot down at the river were the river splits in two and rejoins itself a couple hundred yards down stream. You have to cross some shallow water to get to this area so most dog walkers dont venture to the island oasis. The dogs love it down here, lots of birds and my oldest Plott (almost three) thinks he owns every stick on the island. My youngest "Zena" loves the water and birds. Well, I always let the dogs off leash here so they can just explore and get their excercise. I use electronic collars so I have no problems with them wondering away, one or two quick "beeps" and they come running. I usually take this time to gather my thoughts and plan out my day... Well, this day was no different. I had my head hung low, looking at the rocks thinking about what I need to get for reloading my new rifle. I look up, just in time to see a Wood duck fly low above the water, heading down stream. Zena sees it two and watches intently. It passes and I start looking around at the rocks again. A minute later and I see Zena in chest deep water obviously heading for that Wood duck that landed just down stream. The water is swift and about two feet deep at that point, she is quickly wisp up by the current and i can see the panic in her face.
She tries to head for the closest shore but the walls are steep and she cant get a ground.
She starts heading for the far side and current continues to carry her down stream. She finally makes it to the other side about 50 yards downstream. I let out a big sigh of relief at this point. I start heading up to the trail alongside the river thinking she would follow me down stream to a easier crossing but she doesnt.
She panics, thinking I am leaving without her, she jumps back into the river and attempts another crossing. Same result. I tried coaching her down stream and again, this time she takes a running leap into the river and tries to swim across and again she gets swept down stream even further.
Its obvious she is beginning to tire. I run back down to the river to make sure at least I can see her and she can see me. I realize at this point, I have no choice but to cross the river myself and try and bring her back.
The water is about 18" deep on average and the bottom very rocky. I make it about three quarters of the way across and fall on the rocks.
Bruised, sore and wet from head to toe, I pick myself up and finish the crossing. Zena is so excited she running around with the "puppy crazies".
I leash her up and attempt to cross back over.
Mine you, my other Plott is now sitting river side watching and waiting, he learned his lesson long ago about water. We make it about 6' into the river and she gets swept off her feet and I try my darndest not to lose her or my balance, to no avail.
We both get swept down river about six feet before I regain my feet and pick her up and continue to cross. The water is cold, probably around 40 degrees. Its 46 degrees or less outside and this cold starts to affect my balance even more. We spend about 10 minutes trying to cross, get knocked down three more times and gain no more distance. I have no choice but to turn around and head back to the near side. I set Zena down as close as I can to shore and tell her to "go" and she makes it to the shore. I follow.
Having no choice but to find a easier crossing, we start heading down stream were at least I know we would have a better chance. This panics my other Plott and he starts to whine
and looks like he is going to cross the river. CRAP!!
Thats all I need right now. I get him to calm down and fortunately they are both trained with hand signals and I get him to head down stream. At least this one is smart enough to know when to listen and stay calm.
Well, we head down stream about 200 yards where the water is only about 12" deep but just as swift. Its the shallowest point unless I want to venture through a 10' high bank covered in blackberry bushes. We get about half way across and Zena is having trouble crossing, she is on my upstream side using me as a secure point, preventing her from losing her legs and getting swept down stream. Were stuck again we cant move any further each attempt meets with another fall on the rocks. So, I pick up Zena (she is 58 lbs) and toss her gently as far as I can telling her to "go". She is able to get her footing and make it to shore. Bruised, battered and bleeding I make it to shore as well. Both dogs are very excited to have me back on dry land as was I.
Now, I can only hope my jacket, cell phone and wallet are still sitting by the river where I left them??!!.
