Eleven-year-old boy dies trying to save dogs in fire (AP)

[truthpusher]

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/10762330.htm

Posted on Fri, Jan. 28, 2005

Eleven-year-old boy dies trying to save dogs in fire

Associated Press

STRATFORD, Wis. - An 11-year-old boy died from injuries suffered when he ran back in his burning home to save his two dogs.

(snip)

The boy's mother, Lisa Larson, believed her son was behind her as she left the home, according to her friend and employer, Jill Mielke.

Larson, 33, kept calling to him to follow her outside, she said.

"He kept saying 'Mom, I'm right behind you,'" Mielke said Friday.

Bryan apparently went back into the home to retrieve his two dogs.

He soon was in his bedroom, pounding on the window crying for help as a helpless Larson watched from outside, Mielke said.

complete story:

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/10762330.htm

[BayCityProgressive]

1. gee

thanks for adding that damper to my friday evening.

[NEOBuckeye]

4. As if you won't get over it.

Think of the boy's mother. She's going to have a lifetime of Friday evenings with the damper of that knowledge.

[truthpusher]

7. It sure is sad, but...

...after reading so much about the kid who boiled his pets: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1191810

it was nice reading about a kid who loved his animals...real sad stuff.

[Carni]

2. Oh man this is horrifying :(

My prayers or whatever I can offer to the family!

[BayCityProgressive]

so is there any way we can send money or anything to this lady?

[Carni]

18. I was wondering the same thing

This family must be devastated.

[barb162]

17. the poor kid, the poor mother, the poor dogs

SHe raised a loving child; she's a good mother

[Kadie]

3. How sad.

Our thoughts are with his family.

[mahina]

5. what a heartbreaker.

I would go back for my dogs. I know I wouldn't be able to let them die like that.

[xultar]

14. I have three very prescious Chihuahuas. I could never leave without my

babies!

[aikido15]

44. Me too...

Your blond Chihuahua looks just like my little Diablo! I have two and 3 more mixed breed dogs.

I couldn't leave them either. I would be like that little boy, I would die trying to save them.

[xultar]

46. I donated to a rescue effort for pets in the tsunami stricken areas.

I saw the news stories about the pets and I really broke down. Pets are the one thing that get me through my days sometimes.

[solinvictus]

71. These are our babies...

And yes, I would risk life to save them. That boy truly loved his dogs and I wish him an eternity of happiness with them in the afterlife.

[susanna]

34. Me too.

This boy's heart was in a good place. If his mother can come to understand that, it might just help her continue after such a tragic loss.

edited for...uh...messing up what I wanted to say

[Skittles]

68. yup

we can say he should not have done it but many of us won't because we would do the same thing

[skylarmae]

6. sometimes it really hits home that I should count my many blessings

and be thankful for my beautiful daughter and loved ones! This is one of those times. I'm also thankful for DU! Thanks for being there you guys...

Stepheni

[classof56]

8. Oh, my!

I have a grandson who's almost 11, and he's such a great little kid, I can see him doing something like this. What a heartbreaker! When I look at my grandsons, though, all I can see are two potential victims of one of Bushie's future idiotic wars.

Okay, I'm off to my third glass of merlot. No, the grandsons aren't with me. I'm alone and grieving.

Tired Old Cynic

[mordarlar]

60. Would you kindly pass a glass? ...Tired young cynical mom of 3 girls : (

[classof56]

64. Glad to, TYCM--wish I could do it in person!

Hang in there...I raised two girls and those teenage years were, shall we say, a challenge. I survived, but gotta tell ya, the merlot helped. Now I'm writing articles about funny things that happened when they were young. Weren't so funny at the time!

Take care and blessings!

[mordarlar]

65. Blessings to you as well. : ) Mmm... good Merlot

[DemoTex]

9. I understand his motivation. I have two dogs .. too.

I love them more than I love myself. Why not? They love me unconditionally. They warm me and warn me. They look at me as if I were Churchill in 1942 and they were Englanders. They jump and play with my heart. They sniff my butt .. my socks .. and my undies. They are wonderful little animals. I would die for either one of them. Bless this little boy .. lover of animals. He shall find a special place in heaven .. with his beloved pets. That is where I want to be. With him ..with his and my dogs. Dear little angel.

[DrWeird]

10. I'd have done the same.

Can civilians be awarded medals posthumously?

[420inTN]

11. re: "The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze."

I really hope that it wasn't caused by negligence on the part of the mother (i.e smoking in bed, meth lab, etc.)

[saltpoint]

12. Jesus, talk about yer ton of bricks raining down...

This one kicked me in the stomach, people.

The only thing I can offer as positive -- for whatever it's worth now -- is that this young man's friends at school at last know what he was made of, if they didn't before.

The impulse to preserve his dogs, to me, is a gauge of his bearings, the things that he was made of. Loyalty to the point of ferocity. To risk your life for something you loved.

It is a nobility he will always have, now, sadly. They know this about him, at least, and I hope they take this chance to deeply honor it in him and emulate it for themselves.

[superconnected]

13. what a wonderful boy, he cared about saving a dog

better than some kids who do animal cruelty and grow up to be politicians.

very sad loss. I hope his family can get through this.

[Boswells_Johnson]

15. I was just about to say that he must have been wonderful n/t

[0007]

19. Cats and frogs come to mind!

[0007]

26. Words can't express how fragile life is indeed is!

Our love for life is so strong.

[baba]

62. I have seen several references to this on DU.

What politician are you discussing?

[Solon]

67. The info...

GW Bush blue up frogs by putting firecrackers up their nether regions. Frist, the bastard, wasn't even a kid, but when he was working towards an MD he shopped around at animal shelters and "experimented" on the animals on his own time, all of them cats.

[baba]

70. Now I have even more reason to hate him.

I knew about Frist, but I had not heard about George Bush doing this to frogs. Where does this info come from? I find it very disturbing, to say the least.

[youngdem]

16. parents..

Every parent tonight needs to go to their child (children)and tell them how much they love them. This story needs to not be forgotten.

[truthpusher]

20. I'm at work, my daughter just called me and told me to come home...

...on your advice, I'm packin' up and heading home....Thanks

[MsMagnificent]

21. I hope this isn't taken the wrong way...

but, IMO, it just shows what a caring and truly moral person this young man was. What he did was FAR from dumb, as some people may try to label it or even privately think... as the Bible says 'no greater love hath s/he than to lay their life down for their friends', and what truer ] friends do any of us have other than our non-human companions?

That is probably cold comfort to his mother, but --again IMO-- this young man died in a state of sanctity and purity of heart and soul. It is our huge loss that such a fine young person won't grace us and our society with his presence for many more years, to live the full life that he so deserved and to enrich our society just by being present in it.


(No, I'm not being anthropomorphic -- just realistic, in my world view.)

[driver8]

23. Not taken the wrong way at all...

I agree with you. I'm sure there is little comfort for the woman that her son died this way, but maybe later she will realize what an incredible thing he was trying to do. He put aside his own safety to save his dogs, who he obviously loved very much.

I would have done the same thing.

[meow2u3]

28. There has to be a place in heaven for this hero

If not, I'm sure St. Francis or St. Rocco will get him in through the back door O8) O8) O8)

My heart goes out to his mom, who must be devastated over the loss of her son and her furkids.

[mitchum]

33. Those are beautiful words, my friend

[susanna]

35. I like your worldview, myself...

...and understand it completely. Well said.

[blonndee]

36. How beautiful.

Forget about "anthropomorphic." I really hate that term (I know what you mean, though, but it's so biased against pet-lovers). It's usually used to justify cruel or negligent behavior, from my experience. Truly, our pets ARE friends, or should be, and, to quote the Bible again (which is strange for me), Jesus also said what we do for the LEAST, we do for him.

Our pets are the most vulnerable and dependent companions we have, except for our children (I have none), and IMO this means we have a great responsibility to them. Who is going to care for them if we don't?

[MsMagnificent]

40. Wow -- my view exactly!

I've always viewed animals and children as the great innocent's
and no truer pointer of our personal calibre and personal honor is shown by how we treat them

A great quote, I can't remember the author though, goes something like
'the best indicator of a person's true character is how we treat those who can neither do anything to us, or for us'

[driver8]

42. My view, also...

My wife says that I am the biggest sap in the world when it comes to animals -- especially dogs.

I can't help myself, though. To me, pets add so much to our lives and ask for so little. They deserve all that we can do for them.

[ernstbass]

54. I totally agree

and your words are so eloquent. The world was a better place for having thislittle boy in it. Never understimate the bond between animals and humans.

[jhain]

22. if you have kids

go over the fire 'drill' with them this weekend. Heaters, wood stoves, bad , bad time of year and it is soooooooo damn cold here on the east coast...
Kids forget, they want that dog or cat or toy.
Role play the whole thing- getting up, getting OUT.
Out
out!
You get OUT!
NOTHING but OUT!

Do you have a meeting place for everyone outside?

(GASP. Our meeting place for 20 years was a little shed out back. We tore that thing down a few weeks ago and I JUST realized we never discussed a new meeting place! Will do that NOW)

http://www.firesafety.gov/kids/flash.shtm
that looks decent- maybe our tax dollars CAN save someone.

My heart goes out to that poor family...........

[MissB]

24. Yes, out and don't go back

When I was young, a beloved aunt died because she went back into her house to get some clothes on. She had gotten my cousin safely out, but felt self-conscious in her bathrobe.

Never, ever go back in. Ever.

[truthpusher]

31. Wow, what a sad story, how long ago was that?

[MissB]

56. Well, I'm in my mid-30s

And I was 8 at the time. So was my cousin.

[blonndee]

25. I understand, but not everyone thinks of their dogs as being some sort of

personal "possession." My dogs are part of my family. Although, I do agree, *kids* should be taught to get the hell OUT. As an adult, I would never, ever, stand outside while my dogs were inside a burning house.

The "family" plan to get out ought to include pets, IMO. At least in my house, dogs aren't like photographs or other treasured "possessions." They're living, breathing, treasured beings who deserve to be treated as such.

[yinkaafrica]

29. Thank you for saying that. I would get all my pets out or die trying.

absolutely

[fujiyama]

69. That's understandable

but if you had kids then you have an obligation to your kids as well to save yourself.

[baba]

63. Dog, cat or toy.

Dogs and cats are not the same as toys! They are members of the family, and I will do the best to save my pets in a fire.

[Wilms]

27. Underneath the pain it's a beautiful story.

I'm sorry we can't have that kid for President, his dog for Sect'y of Peace.

[yinkaafrica]

30. In a better world, maybe.

[mitchum]

32. That is absolutely heartbreaking

rest in peace, you sweet child

[sweetheart]

37. What a heroic death, wise beyond his age

At the end of the Mahabharata, Yudishtra comes before the gates of
heaven, and he is offered eternal life, ultimate power and all
great gifts of the gods. He asks, "What about my dog." The gods say
"You can't bring him with you.".. so he refuses heaven and stays with
his dog.

At this point, the dog transforms in to the god of truth and tells him
that he has passed the final test, and they pass in to the pure light
of enlightenment.

They say that you reincarnate in the state of mind in which you die,
and in that case, this boy gains the highest heaven. We should all be
so lucky.

[chookie]

41. Thanks for that

It is a beautiful part of the Mahabharata, and so fitting to this story.

You've made me cry....

[elehhhhna]

58. same here.

[daleo]

38. I think we have more dog owners than parents here

If my son died trying to rescue some dogs, no matter how much I cared for them, I would be devastated and think it was the most terrible waste imaginable. If it was someone else's son, I might be able to rhapsodize about what a wonderful spirit he possessed. But for my own child, no way. I think the mother will feel the same way about the tragic event.

[mahina]

39. Mother and dog mom here

I feel you but still wouldn't let them cook. But my dogs wouldn't stay inside if I went out- they are like that.
Where are we going now?
Velcro dogs. Not in a clingy way, just we are a pack.

[roguevalley]

43. I have five boys. I love them like he loved his dogs. What a

sad, sad story. He and his boys. Meant to be together. There's a spot in heaven for all three of them. His poor mother.

[SammyWinstonJack]

52. Velcro dogs...Yes my dogs make it outside before I do

Practically knock me over trying to make sure I don't leave without them. This story is very sad. :-(

[chimpy the poopthrower]

57. Glad somebody said it.

I care about animals too, but to my mind, the life of that boy was worth so much more than the life of the dog.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Speed8098]

47. ????

Care to discuss your anger?

[malaise]

48. Too sad

He's the kind of kid we need on the planet. I feel it for his folks.

[fortyfeetunder]

49. Another lesson for kids

This is the part that gets to me.

The boy was pounding on the window crying for help. The window can't open? Considering it was a mobile home, can't tell if there was enough thermal expansion resulting from the fire to seal the window shut, etc.

In addition to a fire drill, I am going to teach my kid how to not panic, learn how to break a window and scramble out of anywhere. A few cuts and bruises are preferable to losing my flesh and blood.

[marigold20]

50. Donations here - from Wausau Daily Herald

"Money to help Lisa Larson may be sent to Village Spirits, 104 W. Meadow St., Stratford WI 54484. Donations should be made out to Lisa Larson."

[DrBloodmoney]

51. Must have been some damn fine dogs

I know that I would have gotten my kids out first, but then I would be going right back in to save my dogs. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't give it a shot.

[Redstone]

53. Not to be critical, but

you're saying you would orphan your kids for an animal?

Isn't it more important for your kids to have a parent than a pet?

Redstone

[JI7]

55. what a sweet kid

[elehhhhna]

59. Our neighbors' house caught fire this summer--

I had a key so opened the front door hoping to get her 3 cats out...the smoke & heat knocked me on by behind when i opened the door...

Long story short, the Fort Bend (Volunteer) and Sugar Land, TX fire departments suited up (in 105 degree weather!), and three guys went into this VERY burning house,TWICE EACH, and saved all three cats (no people home at the time).

I cried when the got the last one(a kitten) out...those guys are heroes. My girls & I showered them with buckets of ice (the firefighters--not the cats).

I guess my point is that there are everyday heroes everywhere.

God bless that little boy.

[leesa]

61. Sad. I would also have gone back to save my dogs.

[Bouncy Ball]

66. That is so incredibly sad.

That being said, I would have done everything in my power to make sure my daughter didn't go running back in the house after our pets. I would hope they'd run out behind us (the dog most assuredly would and I am sure the cat would go running like hell). But if they didn't, I'd make sure my daughter didn't sacrifice her life for the dog. She's the kind of kid who would do that, too. It'd kill me to think of losing my fur babies, but my real baby, more so.