i have told this story before,but here it is again.
about 10 years ago we were at a free run dog park in Minneapolis.
early winter and about 10-15 below.the river had a ice sheet along the shore that was about 15 feet out into the river with the rest of the Mississippi open and running fairly fast.
our dog who was new from a dog rescue society had won my Wife's heart went out onto the ice when we were enjoying the view in another direction.it went thru the thin ice on the edge and when we turned around it was struggling to get out of the water and back on the ice.
i knew the water was not really deep there from seeing it in the summer,the ice was over the shallow part,not more than waist deep.
i knew my wife would be heart broken if we lost the dog so i bellied out on the ice after the dog,i could not grab anything to pull it out so i busted the ice with my fist..this all took seconds.
the dog now could push thru the broken ice which now broke under me..i stood up in hip deep water and pulled our dog in the rest of the way.the other dog walkers were now gathering around and offered to call 911..
i knew we could walk back to the car and be home in 20 minutes so i just waved them off and started back.i had on flannel lined jeans,boots and a shirt-wool sweater-windbreaker shell.
by the time we got to the car all that was frozen on me.i had to get my wife's mitts on because mine were wet of course.my heart was pounding like i never felt it before but i felt ok and just kept walking fast.
home the dog and i went into a hot shower,i got out of the frozen clothes with the water running on me and the dog sat in the tub with me also thawing out.
we both slept for the rest of the afternoon.
the dog was smart and never went near ice again and we kept a eye on it all the time.
i walked because standing around waiting for 911 while soaking wet,chest to feet,would have froze me right up.
after it was all over i could see why some people make "bad" choices,you feel you need to do something and just do it------