Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-09-03
Nearly Drowned by n Water Dog.

The following curious story is told by
correspondent of Land dHd Water Lon
don magazine:
The following adventure may serve as
n warning to others: Last Saturday took
my first bath of the season in the beautiful
and retired pool below the Weir at Odney,
near Cockham. This pool, like most of
the pools on the Thames, is known to be
dangerous when much water is coming
down, as the undercurrants are very
strong, flowing directly back beneath the
upper-down current until they reach the
boarding, which is extensively undermined
AS the water was low, no danger was ap-
pretended on this score, even by poor
swimmer out of practice like myself
had with me n young retriever of very
large breed, famous swimmer,
whom, unheeding, l left upon the
bank united. While swimming on my
back, and splashing with my feet, friend
Rollo, thinking, doubtless, his master was
in bad way, fastened with all speed to-
wards me; having turned on my breast, l
was then swimming leisurely away TO
about the middle of the pool, which Is fif-
teen feet deep When l felt the dog close
upon me struck out hard, but could not
get away, his claws scratching my back,
and bobbing my nose under water repeat
edly, till he sent mo right under by putting
his paws on my shoulders When l came
up out of breath and with mouth full of
water ut his side, yelled out rs well as
could, Quiet, Rollop This was heard
above the noise of the waterfall, and at
tracted the attention of some gentlemen
near the bridge; but it failed in its effect
ON my poor dog, who, delighted to see
me above water again, began fondling,
and again putting his paws on my shoul
ders and head, sent me down under water
ever so far. Thinking my only chance
was to dive from him under water, turned
under the water and struck out as fast as
possible, and as long as l could keep un-
der. Tho boatman tells me he had seen or
heard none of this, swimming towards the
other side of the pool, when turning
round at this moment, neither 1 nor the
dog were in sight, and he got alarmed, as
] kept so very long under water. He saws
the dog must have dived after me. When
came up, greatly spent and out of breath,
to my horror the dog was close to me.
AGAIN and again he was upon me. When
came up the last time, gasping and ex-
hausted, | hit the dog with all my might
hard on the tender part of hisnose, driving
him away three or four yards. I then
struck out for the shore with all my
strength-a race for dear lise-my faithful
dog close at my heels | touched the
ground with my knees and with an utter
exhaustion staggered the two PAGES to
the bank, and fell down with heaving
chest and gasping breath, unable to move,
while my poor dog licked me all over to
show his gladness at my having got out
safe. Having had so narrow an escape of
life, for most likely the dog would have
prevented those from diving after M who
were ready to help me land whom now
beg most sincerely to thank), l think it
my duty to warn others, as few know what
dangerous companion dog is in the
water, unless, indeed, it is specially broken
in, or swimming with those who, unlike
the writer, are perfectly at home in the
midst of the deep"