Been Awfully Busy

I haven't had much time for posting lately...way too busy studying tracking and other skills needed by a Search and Rescue dog. I spend several hours every day tracking now--in the light, in the dark, in sunny weather, in pouring rain (and soon, in Artic snow, as well, up in Nome, Alaska)!

I LOVE tracking! It is the one activity I get to LEAD the Spokeswoman in. I am totally the boss when it comes to tracking. There have been a few times lately when my Spokeswoman is dead certain the trail is one way when I KNEW it was actually another direction. She tried standing her ground and I just about yanked her right off her feet dragging her the CORRECT way! I was totally delighted when she finally realized she was wrong and I was right! I love it when the Spokeswoman has to eat crow!

I have always been a natural born air-scenter...but, these past couple of months I have discovered I am also an excellent ground tracker (read that and weep, Gabby, oh snooty sister of mine!). (Gabby was always rubbing in my face her exceptional tracking abilities...well, I have caught up to her and, combining my newly honed tracking skills with my natural born air scenting ability, I have PASSED her up! Eat my dust, Gabby!)

The Spokeswoman works with me every day, but I regularly receive professional training from a cop-dog trainer named Richard. I like Richard a lot. He has great ideas. Right off the bat, he insisted that I had to be a house-dog. He dictated and the Spokeswoman complied, instantly. I go weeks at a time now without ever stepping foot into the backyard. I never thought I would say this, but I have found myself actually missing the Psycho Border Collie and the Goofy Newfie...once,anyway... for about 6 seconds! It is pretty neat hanging out with the Ninjas all the time...going nearly everywhere the Spokeswoman goes. Part of my training is learning to LOVE strangers and seek them out, so, we go out and meet and greet as many people as possible. Our Walmart even lets me go shopping with the Spokeswoman, since I am training for SAR. I have been told that most likely, most of the cases I will be called upon to assist with, will be in locating elderly people who have become disoriented and wandered off, so I am going to be spending a lot of time visiting in a nearby nursing home to become extremely familiar with the scents and mannerisms of older folks. I am very accustomed to little people, but not so much with older people...but, that is changing!

Each evening, the Spokeswoman calls me up into her lap while she veg's in front of the TV. I shouldn't admit, this, but, I guess I do enjoy curling up in her lap...but the BEST is when I get to curl up in the Oldest Ninja's lap (on those rare times when the Spokeswoman will SHARE me). Last night, the Oldest Ninja fell asleep with me snuggled up in her lap....totally sweet!