Bay K-9 SAR

A few photos of our Mathilda.

We just read a new book about a woman who, while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine, stepped off the trail to go p*e and became hopelessly lost in the thick woods and rough terrain. She was not a novice hiker. There was a very large and prolonged search for her, but she was not found and she died.

Apparently, most people who hike the AT don’t bring maps and a compass with them, as she did not.

If you hike, please please learn how to navigate with map and compass and bring them with you! This small skill could have saved her life.

At Camp Maria for a short program with Mathilda.

RIP Ain’t Misbehavin' at the Magpie. You were so brave, smart and strong, and you generously taught me so much about being your partner - you will always have a piece of my heart. 9 years together was not nearly long enough.

Run free sweet Millie.

Almost nine years ago, early one Sunday Jim and I ran through a parking lot in PA trying to find Claudia Kaminski to inquire about a puppy to train for Search and Rescue (SAR). When we told Claudia that we may have to buy a new couch to fit another dog into our living room, she decided that she would be happy to let us buy one of her puppies - even though we wouldn't be a show home. And so, with Ain't Misbehavin' at the Magpie (Millie), we became part of Claudia's Magpie family.

Six years later Jim asked Claudia if he could get another pup for SAR, and she was thrilled to agree. Jim fell in love with the little girl with the white feet, and Houston We Have Landed at the Magpie (Mathilda) joined our family. She's always been enthusiastic when she finds her person at the end of the trail, and she just can't hold her licker!

Two years ago Claudia told us about a girl who just needed someone to love her, and bam, Eating Bread and Honey at the Magpie (Charlotte) joined the pack. Charlotte has an amazingly good nose and ever since she figured out the game, she absolutely lives to trail.

As we do not show our dogs, we would occasionally meet up with Claudia at a dog show so she could see how her pups were doing. The girls always recognized Claudia and were excited to see their first human mom every time - and Claudia was equally excited to see them. Claudia was very proud of her working girls at Bay K-9 SAR.

Sadly, this week Claudia lost her fierce battle with cancer. We will miss her presence in our lives. Fair winds and following seas Claudia, until we meet again.

Charlotte and Mathilda had a great time with Pack 1786 before their campout tonight! We talked about what to do if you get lost in the woods, and then Mathilda found her boy in a port-potty, and Charlotte found hers in a tent!

The girls are excited about their visit with Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets, and what a beautiful evening it is, too!

Dear fb friends, Jim just had his knee replaced, and he is doing very well! However, it will be a little while before we are back out training. We’ll be sure to contact our volunteers as soon as he’s back at it, thanks 😊

Fun afternoon doing a couple of trails. Very interesting running one of them. Thanks to our trail layers Hil and Doug and Redford.