I was thinking about this post yesterday but I received some horrible news this morning that has prompted me to write this. Last evening 2 black dogs were seen struggling on the ice of the Gatineau River North of Adamson Road. They were sighted by a women who called for help. The large dog was seen trying to get on top of the ice but it kept breaking. A group of people searched for them but they had disappeared. Very sad news. I hesitate in writing this so soon as it appears these dogs owners do not know the plight of their dogs yet.

This time of year the ice is melting and breaking both on the River and in the forest. I make it policy during both the freeze and melt seasons not to walk anywhere near the river or the many swamps and ponds in our forests. It is easy enough to make a route where you do not have to go anywhere near these ponds.

I also never walk across the frozen ponds in the winter with the dogs so that they don’t consider it a path or route to follow. When the ponds are melting the water loving dogs such a Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Portuguese Water dogs will walk on to the melting water on the edges and top of the pond just praying to be swimming in there and then they fall through.

Of course in the above scenaro of the 2 dogs on the river it sounds like these dogs were out on an adventure unattended by their human companions. I never agree with allowing your dogs run around unattended. There are many dangers out there with cars, wolves, coyotes, fishers etc.

My heart goes out to these two dogs who unnecessarily lost their lives last night.