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Atta boy!	Wendy Anastasiou
My boy did it. The dog who came from the wrong side of the tracks, non-fancy, no pedigree having, scarred up Doberman did it. He got the game. He is on his way to really understanding search and rescue dog training. I am so elated and overjoyed that it has been all I can do to stop beaming since I saw him in action. Up until now, it has been just some short runaways. A man with hot dogs shoves it under dog’s nose, runs off, and drops to the ground; dog bolts off, goes to man, man feeds dog hot dogs. Ok, so far so good, but my sister's maltese/poodle can do that. Not real impressive (though if you had seen him his first time out you'd think, "yeah it is", cause he wasn't having any of that game the first day). But today, he actually progressed to a point that made me think, "Yeah, this kid is going be great at this". Last run of the day, my fellow handler turns to me and says, "I like to move too fast sometimes, so if you don't want to do this just say so; but I think he might be ready for a runaway hidden down a trail". Not one to argue with an ex-Marine, (my mom didn't raise any fools) I say very obediently, "Um, sure, I guess." I am certain Sark, my dog, will fail. I am certain that as soon as he hits the woods his brain will stop, and he will meander off in search of things to pee on, or deer poop to eat. But I can't let the Marines see my fear; so, I say "Why not, we won't know till we try". The other handler heads off into the woods telling us he'll radio when he is in position. Sark is straining against me trying to lunge like a deer out from between my arms. The hot dog man is getting further and further away, and their is a little moan of excitement coming from deep inside Sark's chest as he tries to shake me off to follow him. After a few moments we get the call, hot dog man is ready. I let Sark go, and crossed my fingers. He bolted like a greyhound out of the shoot. I took off after him at a dead run trying to keep up, because this kid was moving out. I hit the bend in the trail just a Sark came upon a fork in the path. He skidded to halt, ears erect, tail nub out, legs stiff, nose in the air. He looked like a real working dog; not the goober I've grown to love. He scented down one path, he scented down the other. Then he took off down the first path straight to the hot dog man’s location. There was no fooling him, he used his nose; he found the hot dog man. I almost cried (good thing those tough Marines were there to inhibit the crying). Instead, I jumped around hooting and hollering. I am completely blown away. I had no idea it would feel this good. I can only imagine what it will feel like someday when this wonderful beast finds a real missing person; when this amazing creature will become a hero to the species that did him so wrong in his youth. I can't wait till that day comes. I will probably pick him up in my arms and swing him around with pure and utter joy (good thing he is a smallish Doberman :) perhaps, I should work out more). It was a good night; it was a very, very good night. And I know of at least one Doberman who will be dreaming of a man in the woods holding hot dogs. Wendy Anastasiou owns Life with Fido, Canine Behavior Modification Counseling and Training, which specializes in creating happy, well-adjusted canines, one paw at a time. Call 937-470-7684, or visit lifewithfido.com for information on in-home consults and private classes, in-hospital consults, and group classes at Hartwood Animal Hospital, hartwoodanimalhospital.com
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