Before I tell you the story of Janet Howard and Apollo, ask yourself this:
How far would I go to save my dog's life?
We'll probably never know if Howard realized she might die trying to save her grandson's dog, but that's what happened. The sad part is that she wasn't able to save herself.
Last weekend, the 61-year-old Plainsboro, N.J., woman set out on one of her usual walks along the shore of Plainsboro Pond. For company, she brought along Apollo, a German Shepherd Dog that belonged to her grandson.
But when Apollo returned home later, soaking wet and alone, Howard's family worried.
Police believe the dog wandered onto the ice-covered pond and was followed by Howard. A police spokesman said it's likely the pair ventured too far from shore and fell in when the ice broke beneath their feet.
Austin Hearn, a bicyclist riding nearby, heard Howard's frantic cries for help and rushed to the pond. He waded into the icy water, grabbed and large tree branch and tried to extend it to Howard. But just as he reached her, the pond deepened and he was swallowed up.
"I dropped completely into the water," Hearn, a lifeguard, told the Newark Star-Ledger. "I was completely panicked. I had no breath. I fought desperately to get to the ice."
Hearn, who didn't have a cell phone with him, got back on shore and race home to call 911. But by the time police arrived, Howard had drowned. Rescue workers later found her body.
I don't know if Howard died trying to save Apollo, or if two fell into the water at the same time. But in a similar same situation, I think most dog owners likely would do everything they could to rescue their pet.
That's possibly what happened to Howard. It's just too bad she didn't did make it out of the water with Apollo.
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