The afternoon  of August 3rd was absolutely devastating for my family and I even though we had just spent time in the most beautiful surroundings! I think I'm not alone in saying that Utah has got to be one of the most beautiful states there is. We have everything at our disposal, beautiful mountains, lots of cool trails, camping, parks, and even a little river you can go tubing on that goes right through the town of Ogden. About 10 minutes from there, in Willard, is where my friend and I found the most perfect spot to hike with our dogs. There are springs, a waterfall and a couple little trails that make for a beautiful hike and a spectacular view of the sunset. What we didn't see was the hidden danger right there (but not visible) in front of us.

It all starts with Pineview Reservoir watershed that forms part of the larger Lower Weber River basin in northern Utah. The watershed is entirely located within Weber County. Created in 1937, Pineview Reservoir is an impoundment of the Ogden River at the top of Ogden Canyon. The Ogden River flows through the Wasatch Front, and the Pineview Dam impounds the reservoir in Ogden Valley. It is a multipurpose reservoir that provides storage for irrigation water (distributed to farms and residential areas) and culinary water delivered to residents in Weber and Box Elder Counties. This water flows all the way from South Ogden to Brigham City, in man made canals, which brings me back to the beginning...

Earlier that day, I had mentioned to my daughter that we should take the kids and the dogs up to this spot that my friend and I love so much. There's water, but not too deep for kids or dogs. My dogs have been there about every other day this entire summer. Jax had even gone with me once before. So we agreed it would be a fun day for all. And it was. The kids and the dogs all had a blast. I got some great pictures (as a matter of fact, the picture posted on here was taken about 20 minutes before Jax lost his life. 

Jax  was a 1 1/2 year old rambunctious, sweet, smart and loving boy. He loved the water and would play in it every chance he got. He was a very good boy and would always come when you called him. That's why we weren't concerned about leashing him, because after all, what's there to worry about? (I may catch some slack for the no-leash thing, and I can accept that. But if you're a dog owner, maybe you'll understand.) Well, actually, to our horror, there's ALOT to worry about. The free flowing, very fast flowing, water in the canal is right across from the parking spot, hidden by a little hump, covering it so you would never know its there. No signs anywhere. It took seconds for him to have gotten over there. We started calling for him and nothing. That's not like Jax. We started to panic, and the search was on. All 5 kids were witnessing this from the car by this time,, crying because they were scared. When we came upon the open canal, our hearts sunk, but we kept trying to convince ourselves that the grates would have stopped him.  They didn't. He was sucked under and then was  carried through the underground pipes, up a hill and then spit out into aother open canal where he was found deceased. My daughter, her husband and my 5 grandkids are absolutely devastated!! They lost a beloved member of their family! Should this have happened? And who is responsible? And will we be able to resolve this?? This water s serving a purpose and we aren't disputing that, we just want to make sure that this doesn't continue to happen. That canal is not only hidden, but wide open. Not one sign anywhere. Not one you guys.. (Well except for the pink Memorial sign to Tessa from 2010) He's not the first to lose his life there,, but if I can help it, he will be the last! Something needs to be done. Maybe some danger signs showing people where this canal is. Fixing the grates. Or shut it off to the public. (Which would be a shame because its gorgeous.) But SOMETHING needs to be done. Can you imagine a child falling in there?  Please help us get our justice for Jax by signing this petition today. So we can go forward with getting this fixed and make it a safe place for the public to continue to visit and enjoy.                      

Rest in peace Jax. You are missed.