Tributes to the K9's who have passed
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K-9 Kayla: 1993-2004
Kayla was a gentle Shepherd with a sweet spirit who loved to work. She was certified through KERT and ISART in area, trailing and cadaver search and had two convictions and numerous recoveries to her credit. She was a diligent worker and a joy to watch in the field. Kay was also a fantastic companion who could often be seen at her handler's feet when not working. |
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K-9 Dutchess: 1992-2003
Dutchess was a great partner who was certified through NASDN, NOCDS and KERT in area, trailing and cadaver search. With over 200 searches under her collar, she had numerous recoveries and one conviction to her credit. Dutch taught me what an incredible bond a person can have with their K-9 partner. All business in the field, she was referred to by the team as the "fun police." I will miss her always. |
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K-9 Dodger: 12/25/00-09/23/07
Dodger was a truly versatile dog, excelling not only in virtually every SAR discipline but in conformation, agility, obedience and retriever tests. Tireless, the only time he was ever satisfied were the three weeks we spent in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward during the Hurricane Katrina clean-up. He worked 7 days a week, 6 hrs. a day; when we tried to give him a day off he refused to get in his crate, instead going down the street, searching houses by himself. Although his career was cut short by cancer he had numerous recoveries and one live find to his credit. Not to mention the countless toys he "liberated" from the back of teammates vehicles! Dodger, your sweetness and boundless enthusiasm is greatly missed; you will always be "Forever Young." |
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K-9 Langley: 2001-2008
Langley was a fast-working Golden with tireless energy and boundless joy. He Loved people! A big hit at every PR, he was the goodwill ambassador for KERT. Certified in area search and land/water cadaver, he had several recoveries to his credit over the years. Langley is missed by all who knew him. |
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K-9 Trace: 2004-2010
Trace is known as a diligent trailing dog with a fast pace and a sweet temperament. He loved to work and often voiced his objection to other dogs working from the back of the van! He was retired due to Progressive Retinal Atrophy, (an inherited eye disease that is slowly robbing him of his sight); his last case led to a conviction of a sex offender. |
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K-9 Dori
Seven of Dori's eleven years were served as an air-scenting dog. She was great at it and loved searching. She gave all she had. In my eyes Dori was "the best air-scent dog in the world." I miss her tons. Love you "Crackhead." |
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Cookie: 2001-2014
Handler Jan Thompson, Certified: NASAR Live Area, TASK HRD, NASAR HRD Land & Water, NASAR Disaster Cookie was the perfect 1st partner, she taught me more than I taught her. Her 1st certification test [HRD] was in Texas with TASK – Texas Alliance Search K9’s , a couple weeks later TASK invited us to join them in Knoxville TN at the ‘Body Farm’ for a memorable day of training. Throughout her lifetime we travelled to assist at searches across the Midwest & Canada. I have received many cards and notes of thanks over the years for our service as a team – always with special notes written to Cookie. While she taught me how to read a dogs body language she could read mine – sometimes without ever looking, a slight dip of my shoulder or a half step in any direction she could sense where I needed her to search. Cookie was also my partner teaching the Hug-A-Tree program to children of all ages – always patient with the small children wanting to be close to her, petting her. Her last search before full retirement was successfully completed in 20minutes. She will forever hold that special spot in my heart that only your 1st partner claim. |