Haven't updated this in awhile because I have been pretty busy and its going to get busier. Its a good thing. Back in May I started a correspondence course to learn dog training.
The book part of the course is done and now I have to spend some time volunteering at the Humane Society, which is cool by me. Maybe a dog will get adopted instead of put down because of my effort.
After I have completed 10 hours of volunteering I have to complete 21 weeks of internship. They say this can be done in as little as 7 weeks. I'm not sure yet what is involved, but I know I have to go work with a certified dog trainer.
I have also hooked up with a local dog trainer named Liz Diver. Liz has a bachelors degree, has worked at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, spent many years as a vet tech and training animals of numerous species. Liz also owns "Animal Answers." Shes asked me to consider becoming a partner and I'm thinking about it.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Fisherman Missing
If Friday had been a great rescue Monday was going to pay me back.
We arrived at the river bank where the fisherman's pickup was located. His canoe was 1/4 mile down river with his gear in it. He had not been seen in over 24 hrs. We were briefed and split up into two teams. I was to scout for Marlene and Elliot on one bank and Bill and Jo with Zoey would cross the river and search the other side. We also had two ground searchers checking the banks on each side.
Elliot hit the water as soon as we got to the shore line. He did not want to go farther, he wanted to go up river, we pushed him on, hoping the man had climbed ashore somewhere.
Two hours later the dive rescue found the fisherman 8 feet below surface.
This was my second search with recovery of deceased, but the first time I would participate in the body recovery. I done okay, but this time the man looked very peaceful. I know the family is better off having found him.
58 year old diabetic, unaccustomed to canoes, no life preserver and fishing alone.
We arrived at the river bank where the fisherman's pickup was located. His canoe was 1/4 mile down river with his gear in it. He had not been seen in over 24 hrs. We were briefed and split up into two teams. I was to scout for Marlene and Elliot on one bank and Bill and Jo with Zoey would cross the river and search the other side. We also had two ground searchers checking the banks on each side.
Elliot hit the water as soon as we got to the shore line. He did not want to go farther, he wanted to go up river, we pushed him on, hoping the man had climbed ashore somewhere.
Two hours later the dive rescue found the fisherman 8 feet below surface.
This was my second search with recovery of deceased, but the first time I would participate in the body recovery. I done okay, but this time the man looked very peaceful. I know the family is better off having found him.
58 year old diabetic, unaccustomed to canoes, no life preserver and fishing alone.
Mt Lucifer 7300 ft
June 26 Mt Lucifer
We were called out for a lost Hiker near the Pacific Crest Trail who had become lost. He had a cell phone and a remote locate device. We left the trail Nannie creek trail head at about 430 pm with six hikers. One of our hikers was dehydrated from activity earlier in the day and decided later that it would be best if he did not go on. We split the team in half. Half went on and half returned. This later became an asset to the rescue.
Later the three of us who pushed on lost the trail we were using because of snow cover. We had a map and GPS location. We followed the contour of the mountain climbing slightly in the direction of the GPS location.
We made verbal contact, yelling noises, and continued our ascent. When we get about 200 feet from Lucifer peak we are sure Chris's voice seems to be coming from one direction and the GPS location is in the opposite location. I called the team lead at this time and asked for advice. Sometimes voices echo badly in the mountains. We had a good possibility of this and it was getting dark fast.
Team lead says he can Chris's fire and asks if we can see his light. About two miles to the South East we locate his flash light and turn on our headlights. He spots us and is able to guide us by radio to the subject. The last 200 feet climb up Lucifer peak was extremely steep and snow covered. Very spooky with headlamps.
We reach the peak just in time to see the sun set over the mountains at 7300 feet. It was beautiful and the peak was bare of snow. Chris was about 10 minutes away and the trail was clear.
We reached Chris, ensured he was in good shape. Then we proceeded to return. Maps showed a gradual descent to the South, most likely the way Chris had gotten there. We followed the trail as far as we could, but lost it to snow cover as well. Chris's prints were gone from melt during the day. Everywhere we went it seemed a 100 feet drop. We find a scree field in one area and the trail is at the bottom of it. The three young men with me have done this before, but I have not. Patience and trust in their knowledge help me to overcome this descent. OMG!
About 4:30 am we arrive at the trail head again with Chris and some of the best hot chocolate I've ever had.
Early 20s male hiking PCT alone, no maps and no compass. He lost the trail found a comfortable place and called for help.
We were called out for a lost Hiker near the Pacific Crest Trail who had become lost. He had a cell phone and a remote locate device. We left the trail Nannie creek trail head at about 430 pm with six hikers. One of our hikers was dehydrated from activity earlier in the day and decided later that it would be best if he did not go on. We split the team in half. Half went on and half returned. This later became an asset to the rescue.
Later the three of us who pushed on lost the trail we were using because of snow cover. We had a map and GPS location. We followed the contour of the mountain climbing slightly in the direction of the GPS location.
We made verbal contact, yelling noises, and continued our ascent. When we get about 200 feet from Lucifer peak we are sure Chris's voice seems to be coming from one direction and the GPS location is in the opposite location. I called the team lead at this time and asked for advice. Sometimes voices echo badly in the mountains. We had a good possibility of this and it was getting dark fast.
Team lead says he can Chris's fire and asks if we can see his light. About two miles to the South East we locate his flash light and turn on our headlights. He spots us and is able to guide us by radio to the subject. The last 200 feet climb up Lucifer peak was extremely steep and snow covered. Very spooky with headlamps.
We reach the peak just in time to see the sun set over the mountains at 7300 feet. It was beautiful and the peak was bare of snow. Chris was about 10 minutes away and the trail was clear.
We reached Chris, ensured he was in good shape. Then we proceeded to return. Maps showed a gradual descent to the South, most likely the way Chris had gotten there. We followed the trail as far as we could, but lost it to snow cover as well. Chris's prints were gone from melt during the day. Everywhere we went it seemed a 100 feet drop. We find a scree field in one area and the trail is at the bottom of it. The three young men with me have done this before, but I have not. Patience and trust in their knowledge help me to overcome this descent. OMG!
About 4:30 am we arrive at the trail head again with Chris and some of the best hot chocolate I've ever had.
Early 20s male hiking PCT alone, no maps and no compass. He lost the trail found a comfortable place and called for help.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Renewing Our Wedding Vows
Today was a very special day for Donna and I. Our 25th anniversary is next week, April 28th. To celebrate this accomplishment I decided to get her another diamond. That snowballed into another ring. Eventually we melted down her wedding set and started all over again. Now it is about twice as much gold and I added a half Karat Diamond and five smaller ones. 5x5=25. 
I decided I could not just give her the ring back, it had to be special. I called a friend of mine who is a pastor and asked him to do the honors of renewing our vows for us.
Today after Donna got off work we went out to Upper Klamath Lake on a warm sunny day and got married again. It was great I could not have asked for it to turn out better.
Our Daughter Heather was there and her husband took a few photographs for us.
I, Jerry, Still desire you Donna, to be my wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better- for worse, for richer- for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.
I, Donna, Still desire you Jerry, to be my wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better- for worse, for richer- for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.
This ring I give you as a token of my love and as a pledge of my constant fidelity.
Earlier in the day at lunch Donna and I discussed with Pastor John Kays how our society has come to see so many things in short terms including marriage. How the sanctity of marriage has become less important than the very things we vow to endure together. Pastor John offered this passage in reflection of that conversation.
Culture lacks understanding of commitment and love…
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
(4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
(5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
(6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
(7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(8) Love never fails…
Pastor John commented on the tough times that marriages endure and that we would most likely endure again: Face those times with a solid foundation built over the past 25 years. He also added that today was a great example to our children of the value of enduring those times.
Thank you all for visiting the blog to share in our special moment.Our Daughter Heather was there and her husband took a few photographs for us.
I, Jerry, Still desire you Donna, to be my wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better- for worse, for richer- for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.
I, Donna, Still desire you Jerry, to be my wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better- for worse, for richer- for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.
This ring I give you as a token of my love and as a pledge of my constant fidelity.
Earlier in the day at lunch Donna and I discussed with Pastor John Kays how our society has come to see so many things in short terms including marriage. How the sanctity of marriage has become less important than the very things we vow to endure together. Pastor John offered this passage in reflection of that conversation.
Culture lacks understanding of commitment and love…
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
(4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
(5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
(6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
(7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(8) Love never fails…
Pastor John commented on the tough times that marriages endure and that we would most likely endure again: Face those times with a solid foundation built over the past 25 years. He also added that today was a great example to our children of the value of enduring those times.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thought I should introduce my dogs
Snickers aka Snick-a-boo aka Boo. A flat coated retriever I rescued from a shelter in Sept 1998. Snick was meant as a companion to Nakita, but quickly carved her way into everyones life. Snick passed on June 4th 2007. We have never had a dog own our hearts like this girl did. She was compassionate and loving every minute. She lived every minute of life with gusto and everything she had. She knew no enemies. I saw a cedar wax wing hit a window once and fall to a brick floor. It stood up and fell down again. Boo went over and tried to help the small bird up with her nose. She was not successful, the bird actually died, but boo tried and you could see the concern in her eyes for this small creature. I am a better person and better dog owner for having owned this dog. I'll miss her to the day I die.
Nakita is the oldest, she turned 12 on March 12, 2009. She is a pure breed Siberian Husky. She was born in North Dakota.
Nakita is my spirit in the Winter time. She reminds me that because its a bit cold and there is snow everywhere, doesn't mean anything should change. In years past she would knock me into the snow and stand on top of me. Nowa days she just looks good in the snow and our romps are gentle, but amuzing.
Jester is was rescued from a shelter when he was about 6 months old. We brought him into our lives on June 4, 2007. He was born approximately Nov 2006. He is a spaniel labrador mix Best guess.
Jester is a character, hes very gentle and goofy funny. We used to call him dork dog. He however has proved that to be very wrong. Jester is my Search and Rescue air scent dog. He has been training since about Oct 2008. He is doing very well. Hes my daily buddy, goes most everywhere with me and expects to be in the truck when it pulls out the gate.
I've learned alot since getting Jester. He is by far the best behaved dog I have ever owned.
This is Sammy. Sammy is a 14 lb Minature Poodle. He is coming up on 3 years old. Sammy was also a recued from a shelter, but we believe he is a purebreed poodle. This little guy thinks the world belongs to him. He is the smartest dog I have ever owned and I am having to really put my mind to getting him obedient. A challenge for sure. Sammy knows to push the peddle on the trash can to open it. We tried pushing chairs in to keep him off the table, but he pulls them out. So, I've decided that Sammy needs a job and I am learning canine agility and Sammy will soon be learning it as well. I think he will enjoy it and it will be good for the whole family.
He is the gentlest poodle I have ever met.
Snickers aka Snick-a-boo aka Boo. A flat coated retriever I rescued from a shelter in Sept 1998. Snick was meant as a companion to Nakita, but quickly carved her way into everyones life. Snick passed on June 4th 2007. We have never had a dog own our hearts like this girl did. She was compassionate and loving every minute. She lived every minute of life with gusto and everything she had. She knew no enemies. I saw a cedar wax wing hit a window once and fall to a brick floor. It stood up and fell down again. Boo went over and tried to help the small bird up with her nose. She was not successful, the bird actually died, but boo tried and you could see the concern in her eyes for this small creature. I am a better person and better dog owner for having owned this dog. I'll miss her to the day I die. Monday, March 2, 2009
Surviver February 28, 2009
This weekend I done my 24 hour Winter Wilderness Survival Training. The training is designed to give us an understanding of what it is like to be alone in the woods over night. To give us the confidence we need to know we can survive with very little. This puts us in a better frame of mind if we find a victim in the wilderness and for what ever reason can not get out right away. Theres always the possibility we would become lost while performing a search. Searchers are secondary to a primary search if they get lost. This training ensures we can survive longer than the average person.
So, at 430 am Saturday I left home for Denny's where five of us who are training ate breakfast together. We then drove to the SAR compound where we got into a van and were driven to out locations. Each of us were allowed to carry water proof matches, a knife, and toilet paper. For safety reasons water is supplied to the trainees every 3 hours if they need it. We each get an approximately 100 yd circle to operate in. We must build and maintain a fire throughout the night. We must also build a shelter capable of protecting yourself from wet weather. You must also be able to sit up in the shelter.
I had been so excited about doing this that I barely slept the two nights previous to going to this training. I wasn't alone in my excitement though. Others I spoke to felt the same.
Check out the 3"x12"s I found. I only used them as the floor though.
Shelter with pine branches.
Inside Shelter
Of course the fire. I had a pretty nice pit built.
The dog Unit brought me a gift around 11pm. It was a stuffed bear with all their names on it. They didn't want me being afraid and alone.
The experience was good. I learned alot and hope I never have to do that again. If I go out, I'm carrying a backpack with food and warmth in it.
So, at 430 am Saturday I left home for Denny's where five of us who are training ate breakfast together. We then drove to the SAR compound where we got into a van and were driven to out locations. Each of us were allowed to carry water proof matches, a knife, and toilet paper. For safety reasons water is supplied to the trainees every 3 hours if they need it. We each get an approximately 100 yd circle to operate in. We must build and maintain a fire throughout the night. We must also build a shelter capable of protecting yourself from wet weather. You must also be able to sit up in the shelter.
I had been so excited about doing this that I barely slept the two nights previous to going to this training. I wasn't alone in my excitement though. Others I spoke to felt the same.
Check out the 3"x12"s I found. I only used them as the floor though.
Shelter with pine branches.
Inside Shelter
Of course the fire. I had a pretty nice pit built.
The dog Unit brought me a gift around 11pm. It was a stuffed bear with all their names on it. They didn't want me being afraid and alone.
The experience was good. I learned alot and hope I never have to do that again. If I go out, I'm carrying a backpack with food and warmth in it.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Calimus Butte, Monday, February 16, 2009.
Yesterday SAR was called out. We took 6 vehicles, 4 snowmobiles an terrain track vehicle and two dog teams. We quickly realized there was going to be a communications problem, so I and another team member hiked up a ridge 1.5 miles through snow and manzanita bushes. Just before we reached the top, weather started to come in and it was getting dark quickly, so we were called back to command. Oh well, good exercise.
We later found out the guy we were looking for had already gotten off the mountain. That's the way it goes sometimes. All not lost though, we worked well together, covered a lot of ground quickly. An opportunity to hone skills and learn.
Yesterday SAR was called out. We took 6 vehicles, 4 snowmobiles an terrain track vehicle and two dog teams. We quickly realized there was going to be a communications problem, so I and another team member hiked up a ridge 1.5 miles through snow and manzanita bushes. Just before we reached the top, weather started to come in and it was getting dark quickly, so we were called back to command. Oh well, good exercise.
We later found out the guy we were looking for had already gotten off the mountain. That's the way it goes sometimes. All not lost though, we worked well together, covered a lot of ground quickly. An opportunity to hone skills and learn.
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