Thought I should introduce my dogs

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.

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.