Front Page News

Shipwrecked Man Saves Dog First, Then Goes Back for Wife

“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”

Grahamansley
Who would you save first in a shipwreck? This dog lover saved his dog first, then went back for his wife – and we don’t blame him for it! Photo: Graham Anley Facebook.

An East London family is alive and well thanks to the quick action of Graham Anley, who swam his wife, Cheryl, and their 9-year-old Jack Jussell Terrier, Rosie, to safety after their yacht began taking on water early Sunday morning. Graham, however, might be spending a little time in the doghouse since he chose to save Rosie first!

The couple’s yacht, called The Boundless, ran aground in the very early morning hours on Sunday, reportedly after striking a reef near the East London coast.

Anley, a volunteer for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), helped his dog, Rosie, who was outfitted with a custom life vest with an emergency strobe light, to shore before returning to assist his wife. Meanwhile, Cheryl’s safety line had become snagged on the ship’s steering gear.

The NSRI dispatched a helicopter to rescue the shipwrecked family.

The couple and their dog are all safe and doing well. The ship, however, suffered major damage.

Anley told News24 that after 22 years as a volunteer for the NSRI it is “humbling to have the shoe on the other foot and need to be rescued.”

If you were in a shipwreck, who would you rescue first – your spouse or your dog?

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Avatar Of Cute Puppy Pictures

    cute puppy pictures

    Dec 27, 2013 at 6:08 am

    of course like your web site but you need to check the spelling on quite
    a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will definitely come back again.

  2. Avatar Of Judy Hartley

    Judy Hartley

    Nov 19, 2013 at 4:10 am

    The dog first; our animals are totally dependent on we humans for their care and safety and might well have felt abandoned in a frightening situation whereas the wife knew land and safety were ahead.

  3. Avatar Of Tina Max

    tina max

    Oct 4, 2013 at 11:05 am

    that picture of the man and his dog has got to be the cutest picture, just look at the dog’s face, priceless. I don’t blame him for rescuing the dog first, bet his wife is not as cute, lol.

  4. Avatar Of Squad Fifty One

    Squad Fifty One

    Aug 7, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Exactly. I would have saved my dog first without giving it a second thought!

  5. Avatar Of Janet Locke

    Janet Locke

    Aug 6, 2013 at 5:48 am

    At first I thought the article SHOULD say, “The couple and their dog are all safe and doing well. The MARRIAGE, however, suffered major damage.” However, if the yacht ran aground, it wasn’t likely to sink. The couple was smart to get the dog ashore first as he might freak out if he thought he was being abandoned with the yacht, whereas the wife would know for sure her husband would return for her.

  6. Avatar Of Miriam Newman

    Miriam Newman

    Aug 6, 2013 at 12:41 am

    Dog first. He did not choose to be in a dangerous situation. The humans did.

  7. Avatar Of Kirsten

    Kirsten

    Aug 5, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    I have larger dogs that swim well. It would depend on whether one or more of the four dogs or my hubby were in distress. Whoever needed to go first would. But I’d use the last breath in my body to get everyone to safety. And if it were my husband who had to decide, get the dogs then me.

  8. Avatar Of Ellen Silverberg

    Ellen Silverberg

    Aug 5, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    My dog.

  9. Avatar Of D Plummer

    D Plummer

    Aug 5, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    She should have had her vest on and been able to swim on her own. Doesn’t say she was snagged till later. Definitely dogs first. If my husband took me 1st and we lost one or both dogs – probably divorce city. They are our kids, after all.

  10. Avatar Of June Walsh

    june walsh

    Aug 5, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    the dog was small and had a life jacket on with a beacon,so tie him to you,get your wife and all go at the same time.A large dog might even help pull you to shore.

  11. Avatar Of Stacy Pascal

    Stacy Pascal

    Aug 5, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    My puppy, of course. Worse case scenario you’ll get a chunk of life insurance money. Mwahahahaha

    • Avatar Of Leissa

      Leissa

      Aug 5, 2013 at 8:52 pm

      Great reply.

  12. Avatar Of Susan

    susan

    Aug 5, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    If I knew or thought my husband would be ok till I got back to get him, I would save my dogs first. If it was life or death I would choose my husband.

  13. Avatar Of Kathleen Kaska

    Kathleen Kaska

    Aug 5, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Dog first; my husband would never forgive me if I saved him first.

    • Avatar Of Ali-Cat

      ali-cat

      Aug 6, 2013 at 4:27 am

      funny!!

  14. Avatar Of Juliann Valencia

    Juliann Valencia

    Aug 5, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    Way to go. I would save my dog first too.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

DogingtonPost.com was created for the love of dogs. The site was conceived and built through the combined efforts of contributing bloggers, technicians, and compassioned volunteers who believe the way we treat our dogs is a direct reflection of the state of our society. Through the creation of a knowledge base that informs, uplifts and inspires, we can make a difference.
  • NewsBreak Icon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided 'AS IS' and is subject to change or removal at any time.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking them, we may get a small commission. The Dogington Post is dedicated to finding the best products for dogs and we will never recommend a product that we don’t love. All images and names which are not the property of The Dogington Post are the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2024 Dogington Post. Founder: Harlan Kilstein

To Top

Like Us for Wonderful Dog Stories and Cute Photos!