But Glennis Woods is very happy Senior Constable Darren Cox, of Balclutha, was prepared to do just that on Monday.
Snr Const Cox threw off his jacket and climbed into the Clutha River, boots and all, to rescue Rastus, Mrs Woods' elderly, arthritic Labrador-Newfoundland cross, who had slipped down a steep bank into the river and could not get out.
Up to his neck in water, Rastus walked up and down the edge of the river for an hour and a-quarter.
Mrs Woods was unable to reach the water's edge.
A woman who was walking past, whom Mrs Woods did not know, climbed down but was unable to lift Rastus out.
Mrs Woods ran to her car to alert her husband, Norman, and call for police assistance.
With the river flowing strongly just beyond 12-year-old Rastus and her pet becoming increasingly tired, Mrs Woods said she was "absolutely panicking".
"I needed a nice, strong young man to come and help, and one arrived ... He didn't hesitate. He just climbed into the water and lifted Rastus out."
Rastus was so exhausted he lay on the bank for several minutes, "shaking all over".
Yesterday, Rastus was resting at the Woods' Kaka Point home.
Snr Const Cox said yesterday he had never been asked to rescue a dog from a river before but was happy to help.
"There were smiles all round, so it was all good. We don't have too many jobs like that."
Rastus' unplanned dip happened during a regular walk near the Balclutha railway bridge.
Mrs Woods said she would take him there again, but would keep him on a lead.
"I'll also remember to keep my cellphone with me."
Yesterday, the Woodses and Rastus visited the Balclutha Police Station, giving Snr Const Cox a thank-you gift and chocolates.
