WOW, BOW, WOW - GEEZ, WENT TO A BARGE CONCERT AND A DOG RESCUE BROKE OUT!
FABULOUS KNOCKOUTS GAVE US A "FABULOUS SHOW" - TWO YEARS IN A ROW
WHEN I WAS IN THE NEWS BUSINESS, THERE WERE TWO SUBJECTS THAT SOLD PAPERS BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE. KID PHOTOGRAPHS AND CUTE PET FLICKS. THERE WERE WORRIED KIDS ON THE BEACH TONIGHT, AND A VERY TIRED DOG, NEAR DROWNING, IN GULL LAKE.
SO THE FACT THERE WAS A LARGE CROWD OUT TO SEE THE SUNDAY NIGHT, "MUSIC ON THE BARGE," CONCERT, AND ENJOYING THE FIRST HALF, THE WHOLE NIGHT GOT KIND OF WARM AND FUZZY, EVEN AS THE ARCTIC WINDS HOWLED ACROSS GULL LAKE. A LARGE AND PENSIVE CROWD GOT TO SEE A RESCUE OF A POOR PUPPY, AND IF I'D BEEN A REPORTER FOR THE LOCAL PRESS……I CAN GUARANTEE THAT IMAGE OF DOG AND RESCUER, WOULD HAVE BEEN THE COVER OF THIS WEEK'S EDITION. THE PAPERS WOULD BE FLYING OFF THE NEWSTAND. WE ALL LIKE GOOD NEWS STORIES.
A frantic, confused canine, near where we were sitting, hit the water on the fly, (and I mean this), and after one return trip to shore, he took a wild trot down the newly exposed beachfront (lowest water I've seen in this lake), came right back, and repeated the leap into the brine all over again. This time the poor pup went quite a distance out in the lake, and actually doggie paddled around The Barge, while the Fabulous Knockouts were mid-song, and appeared for a few moments, as if he was heading toward the kids on the beach. Then he changed his mind, and went quite a clip back out into the lake, and it looked as if he was getting tired, and occasionally dipping below the surface of the water. While volunteers on The Barge, were calling to the dog to come toward the platform, it seemed determined to go further out instead. There was concern that an attempted rescue might send the dog in a panic, to increase its distance from those who were trying to help…..instead of coming closer to shore.
Suzanne, from our onshore stake-out of the concert, (by the leaning birch, just below Bald Man's Fringe), phoned our son Robert, part of The Barge crew, to get a message to Luke Thompson, also a Barge volunteer, and an officer with the OSPCA shelter in Bracebridge, that from our vantage point, and knowing the distance travelled by the dog, (few others had witnessed by this point), that unless a rescue was mounted, the dog might perish in front of a very large crowd. I was particularly impressed, that the lead singer / guitarist from the Fabulous Knockouts, actually stopped the concert, and began asking people he could see on the dock, adjacent to the beach, as well as boat owners in the vicinity (who could hear him), if they could please help rescue the confused creature, still unsure whether he should paddle toward shore or not. It was obvious he was terribly frightened, and physically exhausted by this point. For a few moments, there wasn't any reaction on shore, or anything we could see happening, but this didn't stop the singer from asking again and again, for help from those watching the crisis unfold.
This performer with a heart of gold persisted asking for those nearby, to try and get the dog to shore……and as if finally responding to his plea for assistance, from The Barge to shore, a courageous woman made a dive into the water, and swam the approximate thirty to thirty five yards to grab the pup. It was a really wonderful show of compassion and kindness, both on the part of the Fabulous Knockouts singer, and band members urging the rescue, and the woman who risked getting bitten, to pull the dog ashore. There was no resumption of music, until the rescue had been successfully completed, and the dog handed over to Luke Thompson, of the OSPCA, for safe keeping. The dog seemed frightened of coming toward shore, and this was causing some concern, because it was obvious he'd reached the proverbial end of his tether. We were never introduced to the woman, who mounted the rescue, and I don't think she wanted any recognition for her brave reaction, to a near-drowning of a really scared little dog……frantically searching in the water for his owner. This seemed to be what he was looking for, and we wonder if somehow he jumped from a boat at the dock, and the occupants mistakenly left without him. I hope this is the case, versus outright abandonment.
I just want to send this little message along to the Fabulous Knockouts, that it was a very humane and responsible thing to do, with access to a microphone, to ask the audience, close to the dog in distress, to help pull the poor creature on shore. What a class act it was, to suspend the concert, to assist communications, between shore and the rescuer. What a nice fuzzy feeling it was to see the rescuer's hand connect with the dog's collar, and with a kind touch, and some gentle urging, both were safely heading back to shore……the dog arriving on the beach to a huge cheer from the anxious audience. A tragic circumstances was averted, and when the music started up again, well, it was a much more cheerful mood let me tell you. And we settled back to be entertained, and boy oh boy, wasn't it a great night all round.
I had the privilege of driving the bandy legged wee beastie to a waiting OSPCA rescue truck, with Officer Thompson, and what a tired, tired dog it was……as it put its head on the back of my hand to rest. We can only hope that its owner will come forward and call the Bracebridge shelter, to claim their pet. It was a feel good moment, let me tell you, and it was one of those unexpected Barge moments that you don't forget………because they remind us of good neighborliness and community. One for all…….and you know the rest.
The Fabulous Knockouts are another band that deserves to have a night at the Gravenhurst Opera House, like a few other talented groups we've had the pleasure of watching this summer season, during the Sunday, Concert on the Barge series. They are crowd pleasers. All capable, exciting musicians, who stirred the August night, on our beautiful Muskoka lake………Gull Lake, a short walk from main street Gravenhurst, but at times, seemingly a tranquil paradise, far removed from urbanity. The audience enjoyed the Fabulous Knockouts, and here in Gravenhurst, we judge our musical entertainment harshly. When your concert series began in earnest, way back in the late 1940's, well sir, the local audience has had a chance to see some of the best musicians in the country, and as tradition serves, we support quality shows with a hillside full of spectators. Looked pretty well populated up there tonight. As a regular concert goer, and self-appointed music critic……I haven't got a single criticism, but a lot of praise for the parade of excellent entertainers, tonight and through the season so far. The price of this entertainment for us……a donation in the bucket. For this group, there should have been plenty of folding money going into the collection pots being passed through the crowd. Yup, they were "folding money good," and we hope they'll come back next year……..and that no dog will decide to marathon-swim the lake during the concert.
I told Fred Schulz, after the show, about a famous postcard image, from Orillia, at Couchiching Park, back in the 1930's I think, of a mentalist (I'm not sure exactly what he was called for his mind-power), who for the audience, actually parted the clouds over the lake, with his "thoughts." Fred may be the reincarnation of this guy. For seven days, he's been watching the news reports, talking about the "Wizard of Oz" scenario for the coming concert Sunday. This afternoon, just north of Orillia, we ran into foul weather for a half hour, and this was at about 2:30 p.m. Concert set up was to begin at 4 p.m. As soon as we got to South Muskoka, we saw the clouds parting, and son Andrew said, "Look dad, Fred did it again….he parted those storm clouds." It's just one of those things willpower apparently can accomplish, when you want a concert to go on, as planned, so as not to disappoint thousands of loyal fans. No wonder Fred is so tired after these shows. It must be pretty mind-exhausting, to kick bad weather out of town. Hey, it's all part of the magic and tradition of the Music on the Barge concert series, at Gravenhurst's Gull Lake Rotary Park. Remember, there are two concerts left. The "Endless Summer," tribute to the California beach sound, next Sunday, at 7:30 p.m., and then in two weeks, the annual "Good Brothers," concert, one of the biggest of the summer-long schedule. Suzanne and I are going to stake out our spot a week early, and hammer our lawnchairs into the rich Muskoka earth, to guarantee the best view in the park. Actually, there are thousands of good vantage points to watch the festivities, and that's what folks love about Gull Lake Park. Isn't it a gem? Gravenhurst citizens should be proud of this urban oasis, and all the good stuff that foes on here all year……including the annual Gravenhurst Winter Carnival in February. We just don't sit out in the lawn chairs for that one. But see you there anyway.
Thanks again to Fred Schulz for bringing in a fabulous group of performers……thanks to the stalwart and kind citizen who rescued the dog, and special thanks to the Fabulous Knockouts for directing traffic for the rescue, and giving us a night to remember in the hot and cold summer of 2012.
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