(12-04-2012, 04:00 AM)pafjlh Wrote: Interesting to know this. I had always assume that there were pets on board the boat because some were actually traveling to America to live. But I had no idea that a couple of them actually survived. Lets face it back then in a situation such as the Titanic it was all about getting people off. You know the term women and children first. I just couldn't see them considering pets, which is tragic but probably the way it was. So I have to wonder if their owners smuggled them on or took a stand that the dog goes with them or they weren't going. I also find it interesting that a third dog manage to survive swimming in the icy waters. This is a bit of history you don't hear about, yet I find it fascinating.
Women, children and tiny dogs.
I believe they were able to come with their owners because of these ladies' influence and status in life. Perhaps the bearing of being rich back then did have some effect.
I think Newfies can be pretty amazing. Probably because of the fact that they have very thick coats and webbed feet. Heck, maybe the reason they were able to survive was because they were bred for "polar" purposes.
(12-05-2012, 01:36 AM)maddie Wrote: I had no idea either that three dogs survived the tragedy. Somehow it is hard to imagine dogs surviving that kind of an ordeal. The Pekingese and Pomeranian being tiny dogs may never have made it through if not for the life boats. The Newfoundland is a dog known for his size and strength. They are also known for their calm disposition and swimming abilities and are often trained as water rescue dogs. Yet, every life saved was a miracle in a tragedy such as the Titanic.
They probably hidden inside their owner's fur coats to be kept warm.
But it certainly shows one thing about dog ownership back in the old days. Some people already value their dog's life as much as their own.