MinnesotaWaterfowler

[h2ofwlr]

Man drowns in Missouri saving dog

By KRISTEN CATES • Great Falls, MT Tribune Staff Writer • January 11, 2010

A 58-year-old Great Falls man drowned Sunday in the Missouri River after rescuing his beloved lab from the frigid water while bird hunting between Cascade and Ulm.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate Garry E. Wallace, but Wallace was pronounced dead on the scene shortly after noon after falling through ice on the river and slipping downstream 30 yards.
"He was a rock. He was just a good person," said his wife of the 30 years, Sharyn Wallace.
According to Cascade County Sheriff David Castle, Wallace was bird hunting with a friend, Aaron Corbett, when his dog went to retrieve a bird and got stuck in the water.

Wallace climbed out on the ice to retrieve his dog, but he quickly fell into the water. Castle said Corbett tried to pull Wallace out of the water a couple of times but was unsuccessful and went to make a call for help.

Castle said deputies from his office, the county's search and rescue team, paramedics from local Quick Response Units, and the Cascade Fire Department were all on their way to the scene when Wallace slipped under water and floated downstream.

The dog — known in the family as Miss Max — survived.

Wallace was an investment manager at RBC Wealth Management. Between the two of them, the Wallaces had three children, though one died when she was 19.

When not golfing in the summer, Sharyn said her husband was hunting in the winter. He belonged to the local dog hunting club, so it was no surprise to her that her husband would risk his life to save his dog.

Sharyn Wallace said she met her future husband when they were both living in Harlem, where she worked as a seamstress.
"He was tall, and he bought his pants un-hemmed, and he'd bring his pants for me to hem," she said.

Sharyn Wallace said her husband and Corbett had been out hunting all weekend. They went out early Sunday morning so they could be home in time to watch the Green Bay Packers game.
"He loved hunting, and he loved his dog, and he loved his family," Sharyn Wallace said. "I — you know — just wasn't ready yet."


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As much as we all love our dogs, we need to be rational and THINK before we act and do a foolish thing like go out on thin ice. 3 brothers (hunters) lost their lives in Oregon in Dec too when their dog fell through the thin ice and they tried to rescue it. That dog too lived while they perished.
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My Golden Retriever is smarter than your honor student.

One Big Azz Mistake, America

The politicians are all crooks, throw them all out of office.

[QuackKills]

But the question I pose Al, is would you sit by and watch your dog struggle and drown? Or would you try to save them?
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Barnesville DU Chapter Chair

Dakota Decoy Field Staff

"I may not be the best caller, but I can cluck and moan like a pro....wait that made me sound like a prostitute."

[Duckhunter_704]

I wouldn't think twice about jumping in. I have once before and would do it again.
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IF IT FLIES IT DIES. IF ITS BROWN ITS DOWN. ANY QUESTIONS?

[h2ofwlr]

I believe one has to THINK and not make rash decisions that will cost you your life. That does not mean I'd stand there with a finger up my ***. When one does not panic and THINKS they would do something like getting a boat, getting others to help with a good stout long rope, etc..

Loosing the lives of 3 of your brothers--is that worth a dogs life?

Of a wife loosing her husband (and kids too) like above?

Or a potentially a Mom and Dad loosing their sons or daughters life over trying to save a dog?

I do not think so.
_________________
.
My Golden Retriever is smarter than your honor student.

One Big Azz Mistake, America

The politicians are all crooks, throw them all out of office.

[QuackKills]

I understand the logic of slowing down and making rational decisions, I do it daily for my job in high stress situations...was never arguing against it. Just saying its harder to do than one thinks.
_________________
Barnesville DU Chapter Chair

Dakota Decoy Field Staff

"I may not be the best caller, but I can cluck and moan like a pro....wait that made me sound like a prostitute."

[Duckhunter_704]

[k2nickmn83]

I THINK I WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND SAVE MY PUP TOO' I WOULDNT BEABLE TO WATCH MY DOG DROWN EVEN IF IT MENT I MAY NOT MAKE IT, MIGHT SOUND CRAZY TO SOME PEOPLE BUT THERE IS A UNBREAKABLE BOND AMONG MOST HUNTERS AND THERE DOGS!!!
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'Minnesota Twins' #33!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bigdog]

I went in through ice to save mine once. Would do it again if I had to. If it happened to go wrong, those behind would understand. To each his own on such decisions. We cannot make them for others.