Not too long ago, my family got a dog. He was left at an animal shelter. At first glance, we just knew he was meant to be ours. He’s a German Shepard and his name is Coco. I could say that we chose him, but the truth is, he’s the one who chose us. It also didn’t hurt that, because of my mind-reading ability, I could understand some of what Coco’s barks and mannerisms meant, which led to a special bond.
To make a long story short, we also discovered that Coco had been trained as a search-and-rescue dog. With this exciting news, my son, Josh, has been training to become a certified search-and-rescue handler. He’s had some experience, since he brought Coco to the mountains to search for me a few months ago. In fact, I might not be here without Coco’s excellent nose, and I’ll be forever grateful to him for that!
Nearly ready for his first official search-and-rescue assignment, Josh invited me to watch his training session with a couple of other trainers and their dogs. I jumped at the chance to see them in action. The training session had been set up in a large nature park, with a real person who was “lost” and the three participating dogs took turns finding him.
At the end of the session, the dogs were given treats, and let off their long leads so they could relax. I joined Josh and Coco in the training area, giving both of them praise for a job well done. A few of the other dogs joined us, and I began talking to them. Before I knew it, they’d all congregated around me, and picking up what their barks meant was a hoot.
Of course, Coco was the most vocal. This my mom… she plays… takes on walks… we explore together... she smells good…
Hearing that, Benji sniffed me. I don’t know… my mom smells better… she gives good ear rubs.
I knelt beside Benji. “Do you like your ears rubbed right here?” I proceeded to rub his ears and moved my hand to just the right spot. That right spot… yes… keep rubbing...don’t stop…ahhhh.
I finished up and stood. Benjy turned to Coco. Your mom good at that…
Coco: Yes… my mom best… cuddles good… always know when I want to play… she good listener.
Coco’s friend Scout twisted his head and studied me. But she have little ears… how she listen…
Coco: I find her when she lost…I best boy…I always find her…No one else can find her…but I find her…
Scout: I find human too… lots of times… A rustle came from the trees. What that?
Their ears perked up, and all the dogs froze, staring into the grove of trees.
“I wonder what they’re looking at.” Josh said.
“It’s a rabbit. They all want to go after it, but they’re holding back because of their training.” I bent down and petted them. “Good dogs. Way to go. You’re all so good. Well done.” I ruffled their fur and continued to praise them. They loved it.
Scout barked. Your mom real good.
Coco: She best… smell good too. Treat?
Luckily I had a treat bag in my purse, so I pulled it out and gave all the dogs a treat for being so good.
Josh knew I understood Coco better than most, but now the other handlers were wondering how I did it. One of them was thinking I must be a dog whisperer. It was like I knew what they wanted just by looking at them… it was uncanny. He was ready to come over and talk to me, but just then, Lance Hobbs, the man in charge of the event, thanked everyone for participating, and told us we could go.
The dogs obediently followed their handlers, and we were soon on our way home. As Coco rested in the back seat, I listened to Josh tell me all about the search. “I think Coco was the fastest one in the field today. He was great. I’m sure glad he’s part of the family.”
“Me too, Josh… me too.”
Shelby Nichols Consulting 