Change Is In the Air

Change is in the air. The crisp air, fall leaves and pumpkin everything.

We are a close knit team that spends countless hours together. Both the team as a whole, but especially the handler and their canine partner. The constant training hours pay dividends when we respond to missions. Each training helps our search teams to grow and learn. New scenarios to overcome, more experiences to be gained.

The concept of time causes a constant tension that is both rewarding and fighting us. Time rewards us, with our investment in training. Time helps us establish goals and measures our abilities; turning a young puppy into a confident working dog. One of our greatest joys is watching them progress, seeing the lightbulb come on. As my good friend puts its, first you have a young dog, then a good dog, and finally an old dog. Although we have a few aging dogs in our ranks, watching them round the curve from good dog to old dog hasn’t been as bad as it sounds. They have adapted and found balance between their aging bodies and experience, maximizing their efficiency. Despite their age, they often solve search problems faster than the younger dogs.

However, there comes a point, when time is no longer on our side, and truly begins to fight us. When we start to see the inevitable on the wall. Someday these dogs who have dedicated so much, will no longer be able to respond. This is primarily measured in two lenses. The first lens is the mission, and whether or not they can still answer the call. We will never compromise the mission and our commitment to you. Second, is the ethical retirement of the canine. We want them to enjoy their final years, still getting to play and breathe in the fresh air. So where are we now. There are three senior canines in our program, Murphy, Scout and Duke. They are still doing well, but we had to start planning for the eventual day that they hang up their collar. It’s sad to see our partners reach this stage of their journey, seemingly too fast.

With this conversation also comes the discussion of new dogs. The time period from getting a new puppy to achieving certification is about two years. Thus we started planning for this reality, and you have started to see new furry faces join us. Late last year K9 Eagle joined us. She is from Born to Hunt Labradors, and is sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Eagles. Earlier this year, K9 Doc joined our team, from Born to Hunt Labradors. Last month K9 Joe joined our ranks. K9 Joe comes to us from PennVet Working Dog Center. K9 Joe was sponsored by Dr. Aprill Sherman and Rathdrum Animal Clinic. We will have one more canine joining us next year, also coming from PennVet Working Dog Center, made possible by another donor. We plan to highlight each of these dogs in the future.

Some things are certain. change is inevitable, time will continue to move on, and we will be here when you need us.