Would you risk your life for your pet?

I rather suspect that in the circumstances logic goes straight out the window. You see your dog struggling and automatically go to the rescue without weighing up the risks.

And of course, dogs can be much nicer than the people in your life. They never judge you and never make you cry - until you lose them.

No I would not; much as it would be dreadfully distressing to watch a pet in trouble. However beloved the pet I'm sure the grieving relatives of the would-be rescuer would say the same.
Most dogs manage to swim to safety eventually without intervention

I'm with absent on this one, I think it would be impossible to watch you dog in trouble without trying to help. I know that we're advised to leave them alone but I don't know if I could do that.

It would be interesting to know, according to which side of the discussion you are on, whether you are a dog owner or not.
I have always had a dog in my life

you wouldn't have time to think would you, what ever you did it would be on the spur of the moment.

I've always loved dogs and I couldn't bear to stand by and watch my dog in trouble. I don't take my dog near iced up lakes for the reasons that triggered this discussion, and if she fell in some water, I think she would be able to swim to safety, but I would be charging up and down trying to help her out, or I would wade in if she was struggling.

I don't have dog although I would love one! I would hope though I would show some common sense and not dive in. In any case I wonder how many of us are strong enough swimmers still do deal with a struggling animal? Avery small dop perhaps

I don't have a dog now, for logistical reasons, but we had one throughout my married life and I like dogs. I hope the fact that I don't have a dog is not taken as any indication that I do not appreciate them and how much they mean to their owners.

I have had a dog, although haven't got one now. My daughter has three and I have told her that if any of her (adventurous) dogs look to be in trouble in the water, she is on NO ACCOUNT to try to rescue them. The death of a beloved pet can be, and often is, traumatic - but for the family left behind to lose a relative in these circumstances is (in my view) much more so.

I would do anything to save our wonderful border collie..I could never live with mysef if I hadnt done everything to save her..I often prefer Dogs to humans.

I wouldn't but I've never been a dog owner. So many times you read of someone trying to save a dog in the water and the would be rescuer drowns while the dog gets itself out somehow.. there isn't always time to think twice before diving on in there I'm sure.

Yes, my first reaction was "Of course I wouldn't" - but that's because I've never owned a dog! We've had many cats, but they don't often fall into streams or rivers, do they?

I wouldn't think twice if my closest companion were in dire straits. Whatever the danger was, I would act first and think about what could have happened afterwards.

I have a beautiful labrador who would save my life if need be,why wouldnt I do the same for her,she would protect me if I was being attacked..I just couldnt stand by and watch.

Think I have decided to be animal free. Always had cats ( had a dog when I was a child and lived abroad) but decided to give the birds a chance! No idea if I would risk my life for an animal...

The answer to the question is no.

Also, on of the things I instilled in my Ds when they were learning to drive was - run over a bunny rather than run into another car. The instinct to swerve in this situation can be very dangerous.

That's very true, Mishap. (Although easier said than done!)

The problem with leaping into raging rivers after a dog is that time and again it's the owner who drowns and the dog escapes, unharmed, under its own steam.

An animal lover, and would hate to see one in distress, but risk my life? No! I would hope I am sensible enough to take that stance if ever the occasion should occur, but instinct to 'do' something is always there, isn't it.