A thread.. about a thread..

[Signet2012]

Please bear with me it may seem a little stupid but it is something that has crossed my mind before and does worry me.

The thread Im refering to is about what you would grab in a house fire.
My dog and partner would be my first priorities. Dogs, particularly mine turn into a big ball of struggling pointiness when afraid.

How would you actually get a dog out of an upstairs room out of a window when they are struggling biting etc. Now Id quite cheerfully let him bite me as much as he liked to get him out but the actual physical logisitics of managing to get a grip of him, pick him up (see photo's porky dog alert) and somehow get him safely to the ground?

I know its a bit far fetched but its something that has always stuck in my mind when having the full "what would you grab" conversations?!

In an emergency, I'd go for grabbing by the scruff and/or bundling up in a duvet/towel. Although in reality I suspect he'd use me as a human ladder to get his arse out of there, loyalty be damned.

I used to worry about this one on occasional can't-sleep-at-3am nights! I think bundle in sheet or just pick up (medium sized dog).

But I worry more about how to get the kids out these days, and I've only got two arms and two-kids-one-dog and what-if-something-had-happened-to-dh-and-he-couldn't-help and....

...and I think I'll try and avoid waking up at 3am, especially now dh and I are about to move into our new loft room: have no idea what we'd do in a fire and need to look into rope ladders or something

Its good to think through, though.

I think I'd grab scruff with one hand, other arm underneath their middle, hoist to window, dangle by scruff (so as to have back legs as close to ground as possible) and drop. Same principle as safely jumping out of a window for humans, if you hold onto the window ledge and dangle you've much less further to fall.

I think the duvet would be the best thing. DP says he would shove me out first to make sure Id gone as Id sure as hell get myself killed trying to get the daft mutt out! I suppose if he struggled and got out then he wouldnt have that far to fall anyway if I leaned as far out as I could (dangling by feet and that!)

Thanks I can sleep easily knowing I have that sorted!

I'd grab a pair of tights/hankie/sock and use it to make a figure of eight muzzle. I'd hate the dog to be allowed to run off because it was biting through fear once I'd got it out of the house.

Duvet cover's a really good idea.

Thats a good idea because he would bite anyone and everyone he could. My mum lives 5 doors away so If i could get him there he would be ok and out the way.

DP thinks im crazy but its my main worry about a fire, he is a lovely dog and does not show his aggression unless he is frightened or he knows I am frightened. (Not sure how he knows this but even if I hide it he knows!) Then he snarls snaps and its not just a warning. He means business. Whilst I would just take the biting as much as I could I wouldnt be able to keep hold of him he is heavy and too big for me to lift. Duvet is a good idea though that coupled with the muzzle would hopefully be enough.

You will get superhuman strength if it ever happens, I promise you. We were staying in a travelodge on the 10th floor last year and the fire alarm went off. I could not rouse DD2 whatever I did- she's a very heavy sleeper. Without even thinking I picked her up and carried her down twenty flights of stairs as fast and easily as I would normally walk alone. She's 12 and normally I would struggle to pick her up for 20 seconds.

I did not even look at my purse, phone, coat. Nothing else crossed my mind except getting my family out. I now know beyond all doubt that nothing matters in life except those whom you love.

I would put any money that you would find the strength to get your dog out even if he was an overweight Saint Bernard who would have your arm off in a second. :)

I told DP of this conversation last night... he said did you ask how you would get me out? I said well no, you would get yourself out wouldnt you?
well what if I was unconcious?
Well, you would be a bit buggered really I certainly cant lump a 6ft 2 19 stone fella on my back ?!

But the dog would be alright though?
Oh yeah, Id get him out somehow

How loved does he feel