Child safety

International K-9 Search and Rescue Services.
P.O. Box# 1472, Longview, Washington 98632 USA.
Office 360-414-8093
E Mail: searchdog@iinet.com
Web: www.k9sardog.com
INTEGRITY YOU CAN TRUST - SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON.
Help Us Find You Search and Rescue Safety Programs.

FORWARD:
In May 1986, I was a Mountain Rescue team leader who took part in the search for the missing climbing victims of the Oregon Episcopal School
Climbing Accident on Mt. Hood.

It was very sad to put all of those children and adults in body bags. Especially when this accident was totally avoidable and preventable.

It was because of this accident that I saw a need for trained search dog teams in the state of Oregon, and thus started the search dog program for
Portland Mountain Rescue.

One of the other positive changes made because of this disaster was to produce a program, which educates children and their families on what do before they become lost. How to prepare for an event, what to do during a situation and how to survive and help us find them alive.

To date, my Help Us Find You Search and Rescue Safety program has saved 16 lives that we know of.

Please feel free to print and copy this information and pass it out to members of your neighborhood, school, church, children’s safety programs, and camps.
In doing so, you might help me save another life.

We are again offering our yearly programs to churches, summer and winter camps, schools, outdoor camps, and other child and family related safety programs. Since 1986 we've instructed over 4,000 safety programs.

Our programs have documented 16 lives saved to date. We've won hundred's of local and national awards including the KPTV "For Kids Sake" Award.

Schools, preschools, safety towns, safety fairs, Girl scouts, Boy scouts, Camp fire kids, YMCA, numerous churches and other day and outdoor camps have seen our presentations and loved it. We bring in a search dog and talk about the following information.

Here’s my outline for outdoor safety.

WILDERNESS. If lost, stop, stay in one place, mark your location, and set up a camp. Mark your location so we can see you from the air. How we use rescue helicopters. How to Signal for help using a plastic whistle, signal mirror, calmulite stick. How and where to go to the bathroom in the woods. Collection of water, and food. Prevention and treatment for Hypothermia. Always carry a ski cap, and a space blanket. What to do if approached by a wild animal. A stranger in the woods, do you approach them? What to do if a search dog finds you. Cigarette Smoke and its affects on your children and our search dogs.

Activities? Hiking, Fishing, Camping, Rafting, etc....Stop stay in one place. Find a big rock or Christmas tree w/o the ornaments and that’s your new home until we find you. Mark your location. Signal from tree/ red handkerchief, Blow plastic whistle 3 times every time you hear something.
Prevent Hypothermia, Stay warm and dry, Stocking cap, space blanket, fire.
*DO Talk to strangers.... (If you're lost, injured, or someone's trying to hurt you). Just don't let them take you anywhere. Call 9-1-1 if you have a cellular telephone. Don't let anyone smoke cigarettes around you. Collect food, water, Treat water, warmth. Review.

CITY SURVIVAL-STRANGER DANGER. Fighting off a bad person, screaming
”He’s not my dad or She’s not my mom somebody help me”. What to do if placed in vehicle. Finding safe help in the city. Use of public transportation for help. Proper procedures for calling 9-1-1. How to find a Block home. Child ID, why it's important, photographs, fingerprints, DNA, update, voice prints. What to do if you see a weapon at school, home, or a friend’s house. What to do if someone starts shooting. Duck cover and hide or run.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.
5 days / 30 days supplies at Work, home, Vehicle, school. Red Cross-Shelters, Food, water, clothing, pets. Contact out of state#. Review. Question and answer session. Demonstration with a search dog. Their training and use.
Remember in a earthquake NEVER EVER stand in a doorway. We’ll find you dead if you do. Always DUCK, COVER and HOLD.

Store your emergency supplies outside your home in a rubber maid or similar garbage bin. Change the food and water once a year. Put in camping supplies, food, water, first aid kit, tents, sleeping bags, extra warm clothing, rain gear. Flashlights, headlamps, batteries, notebook, pencils, radio. Battery operated.
Also store supplies under your desk in your workspace, under your bed at home.
In your vehicle. Don’t forget supplies for your pets as well.

Please pass this information on to others and call immediately if you wish to have us instruct a program (360) 414-8093. Email: searchdog@iinet.com

Thank You.
Help Us Find You Search & Rescue Safety Programs.
RECOMMENDED SURVIVAL GEAR.
Item(s) **(Not recommended for children under the age of 10, unless properly trained).
__ 1. Flashlight with extra batteries and spare bulb. (Recommend a head
lamp)
__ 2. Spare small flashlight with extra batteries.
__ 3.**Waxed roll of unscented dental floss. Cleaning teeth, sewing clothes,
making snares, emergency fishing license, making shelters.
__ 4. Cocoon or space blanket (2).(Teach children to keep these items
away from their face so they can see and breath).
__ 5.**Pocket knife. (Recommend pocket tool (that has knife, screw driver,
pliers, wire cutters, saw).
__ 6. Signal Mirror. (Signaling during times of distress).
__ 7. Two quarts of water - containers that has users name and reflective
automotive tape on outside. Also used for marking location at night.
__ 8. Toilet paper in plastic bag.
__ 9.** Insect repellent. "Jungle Juice" contains D.e.e.t.".
__ 10. Stocking Cap. (Bright Orange recommended). Trapping 80% of your
body heat.
__ 11. Child/adults id kits. (Keep one copy at home on file and one in your
vehicle). Fingerprints, DNA sample (Person licks a postage stamp
and places it next to their photograph), Hair individually combed out
and put into a dry envelope, (Scent article for search dogs). Height,
weight, birth marks, tattoo's, scars, noted. Dental records location.
Shoe size__. Next of kin documented.

__ 12. Plastic whistle for signaling and scaring away wild animals.
Remember 3 blasts for help.
__ 13. Rain Poncho/jacket. (Be dressed and prepared for weather
changes).
__ 14.**Water proof matches/candles/fire making materials. (Must be age
appropriate and properly trained). Recommend a Magnesium metal
match.
__ 15. Note pad and pencil. (Recommend surveyors notebook and write
anywhere pens).
__ 16.**First aid kit: Benadryl Tablets (In case of allergic reaction to bee
stings). 6 4X4 gauze pads, 4 triangular bandages, 1 package of
aspirin, band aids, package of mole skin (For blisters-buy over the
counter in pharmacy).
__ 17.**Water purification straw, filter or tablets. (Learn how and when to
use them). Or Boil your water for 5 minutes.
__ 18. Food. (Recommend survival bars and hard candy). Don't eat wild
plants or berry's unless you've been trained on recognition and
usage.
__ 19. Appropriate clothing. Use the layering system. Polypropylene or
capalene thermos and socks. Ultrex/gortex shell jacket/pants.
Proper fitting lug soled boots.
__ 20. Wrist Watch. (Keep track of time).
__ 21.**Topo Map and Compass. (Learn how to use them properly so you
won't get lost).
__ 22.**Pocket Folding Saw.

CARRY YOUR BASIC SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS EVERY TIME YOU GO OUT.
__ Always let someone know where you're going, what route you will be taking, where you're starting, when and where you're finishing your trip.

Remember if you are lost:
*Don't depend on a Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS) Unit, unless you're properly trained on it. (Always trust your compass).

*Don't depend on a cellular telephone, or walkie talkie radio. The batteries can go dead, or the signal strength may not reach out of your location. (Hit a repeater).

__ Stay together if your in a group. If you are alone relax.

__ Stop and take a deep breath. Accept your situation. Stay in ONE PLACE.

__ Don't try to find your way out.

__ MAKE A Lean to, SHELTER. (Winter time make a snow cave/trench).

__ MARK YOUR LOCATION. (3) of anything. (3) 6 foot X's. (3) signal fires.
We need to see you from the ground and the air.

__ SIGNAL FOR HELP every time you hear something or someone. If a
search dog approaches DON'T RUN AWAY. HOLD VERY STILL and
Don't be afraid of them, they won't hurt you.

__ Build a warm fire. (Be careful not to start a forest fire or burn yourself).

__ Prevent Hypo/Hyper Thermia. Proper use of clothing, warmth, shelters.
__ Be careful about water sources. (Falling in, drowning's, giardia).

USE YOUR COMMON SENSE.

PARENTS:
* NEVER Smoke cigarettes around your children.
* If they become lost, CALL 9-1-1.


* You will need to call us out privately - immediately. Most Law enforcement
agencies often refuse to use the most qualified resources. They often rely
on their own local resources.

Note: A law enforcement agency may be civilly liable if they fail or refuse to use all trained & available resources properly. Man racking teams, search dog teams, containment teams, Incident Command Systems (ICS), FLIR systems.

We offer survival classroom and field trips for individuals, families, groups from camps, work, church. We also offer disaster preparedness seminars.

We also offer survival supplies. Survival Bars and Cocoon Emergency bags.

If you have any more questions please call me. (360) 414-8093.
www.k9sardog.com

Thank You.

Mr. Harry E. Oakes Jr.
SAR Dog Coordinator, I.K.9.S.A.R.S.
Help Us Find You Instructor.

I.K.9.S.A.R.S. / H.U.F.Y. programs is a for profit business.
Dedicated to the education of children and their parents in outdoor safety and survival.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Help Us Find You Search & Rescue Safety Program.
Written by: Mr. Harry E. Oakes Jr., SAR Coordinator, and Child Safety Expert. Dedicated to the memory of Lee Islee and the William and Cole Neer brothers.

1. Don't talk to STRANGERS: UNLESS, you're LOST, HURT, or trying to get away from somebody who is trying to hurt you. There are times that it's OK to talk with strangers. If you're lost or hurt there are many good people (Strangers) that can help you if you ask them. You are never allowed to go anywhere with a stranger unless it's a Police Officer in full uniform with a marked police car, a Fire fighter in full uniform with an ambulance or fire engine present at your location.

You can also go with a Paramedic with an ambulance or helicopter that is present or a Search & Rescue Person in full uniform. You can only go with a Search & Rescue person that is in full uniform if you know you are lost or hurt and they are there to help you.





2. Remember, these people must be in full uniform and their vehicles must be marked with identification also. If they don't have a full uniform or their vehicle isn't marked, "Don't go with them". You may not be able to tell if that person is a real police officer, fire fighter, paramedic or Search and Rescue person. If they are not in uniform they will understand your concerns and will call someone by using their radio or telephone and get help from someone who is in full uniform.

4. Never take money, food or candy from a stranger unless Mom or Dad are with you and says it's OK.

5. Say NO to DRUGS, GUNS, KNIVES and GANGS. Joining a gang will get you killed or put in jail. BE SMART DON'T START.

6. Never accept rides from a stranger.

7. Always tell your mom, dad, teacher, or a police officer if you think you someone is trying to follow you, touch you, or hurt you.

8. *Never play or walk alone. Always tell someone who is a responsible person where you are going and when you will be back.

9. *Don't play on or near railroad tracks, busy intersections, in the street or around vehicles. Also stay away from empty houses, buildings, electrical tools, matches, lighters, dump sites, alleyways, rivers, ponds, lakes and swimming pools unless mom or dad are with you watching out for your safety.

10. *Look both ways before crossing the street. Always use the corners and crosswalks.
11. When getting off the school bus, stop and look both ways before crossing the street. Wait until the school bus driver tells you "It's OK to cross". Then proceed with caution.

12. *Never touch anything you might find on the ground such as needles, syringes, broken glass, electrical wires, sharp metal objects, food.

13. *Always carry your ID card and learn how to call "9-1-1". from a home telephone or pay telephone. Always carry a plastic whistle with you in case of an emergency.

14. *If a bad person tries to grab you or hurt you, I want you to scream as loud as you can, "He is not my dad, he is a stranger, somebody please help me" or "She is not my mother, she is a stranger somebody please help me".

Even if the bad person has a knife or gun, I want you to run, fight, scream, make a scene. Find safe help. In the city a safe person to get help from would be somebody else's mother or father. Even if you don't know them. look for a man or woman who has a child with them. Approach them and tell them you need help. "Remember it's OK to talk with them, but never go anywhere with them because they are strangers. Have them stand by you and keep you safe and call "9-1-1".

If the bad person grabs you, bite, scratch, scream, and run. If they do put you inside a vehicle, grab the keys to the vehicle and try and turn off the ignition. (Have mom or dad show you how to do this. If you know where the gear shift is, ram it into park or reverse. Honk the driver's horn if you can and get out and get away from the bad person and their vehicle as soon as you can.

If the bad person takes you and puts you into a car trunk, it will be very dark inside. Have mom or dad show you where the wires are inside the trunk that work the brake and tail lights. If you are trapped inside, pull these wires off of the lighting harness so they don't work. When a police officer see's this they will stop the bad person. That will be your chance to scream, yell, bang on the trunk.

PARENTS, Stress to the children, that they are NEVER TO PRACTICE GETTING INTO A CAR TRUNK WITHOUT MOM OR DAD BEING RIGHT THERE WITH THEM. We don't want you to suffocate or get sick from heat or cold related problems.

Try to remember how much time you spend inside the vehicle. How many minutes or hours. Try and remember the sounds you hear. Trains, airplanes, machinery other cars. Look for landmarks, buildings, lakes etc. that you can recognize later and show the police.

Get a good look at the bad person if you can't get away. How long is their hair, is it straight, curly, dark, light, clean or dirty? How tall are they? What to they weigh? Are they real tall and skinny or short and fat? Look at their eyes, do they wear glasses? What color are their eyes? Do they smell funny? Are they wearing after shave or perfumes?

What do their teeth look like? Good, bad, rotten? Do they have a beard or mustache? Are they wearing a mask? What kind of clothing do they have on?
What colors? What color is their skin? What do their shoes look like? What does the inside of the vehicle look like? Clean or littered.

What kind of vehicle are they driving? A car, van, or a truck? What color is it?
How many doors does it have? Can you look at the license plate and tell what State it is from and recite the license plate numbers in your head five times.

If they take you to the woods, is there a bridge nearby? Are you around a creek?
Are there any Christmas trees without the ornaments on them nearby? Is the road you are on made out of dirt, gravel or hard pavement?

These are important things you will need to try and remember to help Police catch this bad person. Remember you didn't do anything bad to deserve this and you are not in trouble with Mom or Dad or your friends or the Law.
You need to get back to your family as soon as you can. So at your first opportunity, get away from the bad person and find safe help.

*Learn how to find a block home. This is a home, or business that has picture of a house in the window of the building with a red roof and a yellow face on it that says "Block home". this is a safe place to go in the city. Other Block homes that are not homes, but places you can still get help at, are: churches, schools, post offices, stores, gas stations, restaurants.

In Portland, we have block homes on wheels. The Tri-met bus service and the Max Light rail can provide safety for you and their drivers can call the police if you need help. People who work on the streets can help also. Fire fighters, police officers, postal carriers, delivery persons, Bus drivers, Taxi Cab drivers.

*Learn what to do in an earthquake and how to find safe help. Duck, Cover and Hold while keeping your eyes closed during the quake will help protect you. Duck under a big table, desk or chair and hang on to it. After the quake is over, get outside. If you are outside stay there, don't go inside a building until the fire department says it's OK.

*Keep an earthquake preparedness packet with you in your backpack or briefcase. This is a plastic one gallon plastic bag with the following items inside. One emergency space blanket or emergency cocoon sleeping bag, stocking cap, glow lite stick, toilet paper, hard candy, flashlight, notebook and pen or pencil, plastic whistle, small container of water, first aid kit. A long distant telephone number that you can call "collect" that belongs to a family friend or relative to check in with.

(These kits are sold by International K-9 Search & Rescue Services).

If you are trapped in the rubble, remember that rescuers will bring in Search dogs to find you. Bang a pipe or rock on something hard three times every time you hear someone or something. When you bang on something if it makes sparks, then stop and don't bang on it anymore. Don't light a fire without adult supervision. Gas leaks may cause an explosion. The search dogs will hear you tapping or banging on something inside and show us right where you are at.

*NEVER let mom or dad or anyone else smoke cigarettes around you.
The NICOTINE in the smoke is poisonous. It is just a deadly to you through second hand smoke as if you were smoking it yourself. If a search dog smells the nicotine in the air or on your clothing, their noses will go numb for 6 hours and it makes it almost impossible for a search dog to smell you in time to save your life.

The nicotine also masks the human scent. 160,000 children go to the emergency room at the hospital every year from second hand cigarette smoke poisoning. Over 1,600 children die every year in the USA from medically related problems initiated by second hand cigarette smoke.

This CITY SURVIVAL information sheet is written by Mr. Harry E. Oakes Jr. a well known Child Safety Expert and International Search & Rescue Instructor for Search dogs and Disaster teams. Harry is the founder of the Help Us Find You Search and Rescue Safety programs and the International K-9 Search & Rescue Services.

Mr. Oakes has been serving our community since 1972. If you have any questions, comments or wish to make a donation, please contact our offices at:
Search & Rescue www.k9sardog.com.

If you would like a H.U.F.Y. presentation made at your school, church, work, or neighborhood association meeting, please call our offices.

PARENTS please remember it is your responsibility and nobody else's to take preventative measures. Review these safety tips monthly with your children.
FINGER PRINT, VOICE PRINT and PHOTOGRAPH your child yearly.

The next child that may come up missing today may be yours.
Are you prepared? If not, why not?

The parents of the children missing all said, "It would never happen to them". BE PREPARED. Please do it today.

Thank you.

Mr. Harry E. Oakes Jr.

Harry’s Yahoo 360 blog re SAR.
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-aczg0BU5erSlJvtwUKlYqssO

Photos of Harry’s search dog teams in action.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/searchdog/page1/

Before your child comes up missing, identify them.
Write us at searchdog@iinet.com and we’ll send your our free child id kit.

If you know of anyone who is missing a human or pet family member please feel free to pass on our web site to them. Thank You.

www.k9sardog.com

Before Disaster Strikes. Prepare your pets.

Many disasters that respond to there’s a strong push to rescue the people and many times, the pets are left to die. Example in NY City during 911, the police refused pet owners and rescuers to enter the outlying stricken areas to rescue the pets until almost four days after the initial disaster. Many pets were found dead.

Here’s what you can do to help rescuers find your pet alive.
1). ID YOUR PET. See our section on photos, hair samples, DNA, etc.

2). Mark the outside of your home with a sticker that tells firefighters, rescuers how many pets and what kind are in the house. Example 1 dog 2 cats. Sticker in the window closest to the door.

3). Find a neighbor or someone who you trust who knows your pets, and give them a key to your home. Give them specific directions on what to do during a disaster with your Pet(s).

4). If you are going on vacation and leaving your pet behind with a pet sitting service or having someone come check on your pet, always leave emergency vet, and contact information. This information should contain info on how to contact you during your trip,
what the person should know regarding which vet to take your pet to.

What specific medical history does your pet have, and what medications is your pet on.
The nearest family or friend who will take physical custody should you be injured, killed or if a disaster strikes while you are away.

Remember ALWAYS check pet sitter references. Make sure they are licensed, bonded, insured and know how to contact search and rescue should your pet escape.

5). Make up a missing poster of your pet before you leave. With contact #’s of friends, family. Include several different photos of your pet, a reward, contact #, and specific directions to the person in charge of the search. (While you’re gone).

If you travel with your pet you should make up the poster before you leave so if your pet gets lost or is stolen while you are on your trip, this info is ready to print.

DURING A DISASTER NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR PET BEHIND FOR ANY REASON.

The American Red Cross will not allow your pet in the emergency shelter. So it’s up to you to take responsibility, pre plan, tent, food, sleeping bag, water, for yourself and your pets. Should include kennels, food, water, first aid supplies for your pet for a minimum of one week. So if a fire, flood, other disaster strikes and you are ordered to leave your home, take your pets with you. It may be days or weeks before a rescue team is in the area to search the homes to find survivors. If you love them, don’t leave them.












ID your Child.
International K-9 Search and Rescue Services
Office of Emergency Management P.O. Box# 1472 Longview, Wa. 98632
Office: 360-414-8093 Mobile (503) 705-0258.
Email; searchdog@iinet.com Web: www.k9sardog.com
Help Us Find You Safety Program Child ID Kit.
FORWARD:
Children disappear each and every day. Some by parental kidnappings, others through stranger kidnappings. Last year we received over 750 calls for assistance. It’s your responsibility as a parent to help those of us in Law Enforcement and Search and Rescue to identify your child before they disappear.
You should update this information every year the day after your child’s birthday.

Make three copies of this information. One goes with the mom. One goes with the dad. One goes with the grandparents.

When my son was growing up, I updated this information each and every year and scanned the information onto a portable USB drive so when I traveled I had the fingerprints and other important data on file.

Help Us Find You Child Safety information can save your child’s life.
It’s up to you to make the difference by being a SMART parent and having your child identified before the need arises.

Thank You
Mr. Harry E. Oakes Jr.
Director of Search and Rescue I.K.9.S.A.R.S.
Child Safety Programs Help Us Find You.


See below

Child's Name:_____________________________________________________
First Middle Last.
Height:__________________ Weight:__________________

Hair Color:________________.

Eye Color:________________. Eye Sight ______________________

Vision:_____________________________________.
(Uncorrected left Uncorrected right)

Shoe Size:____________________.

Child’s physical Identifiers:_________________________________________
(Birth Marks, Surgical Scars, Piercing, Physical identifiers)

Name of Dentist:______________________________________________.


Dentist Telephone:_________________________________________.

(Area Code) Telephone

Dentist Address: _______________________________________________.

Child's Passport ID#:________________________________.

Issued:__________. Expires:___________.

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Recent Photo Side Profile Photo













Full Face Photo. (Pull Hair aside to show Child's ear).

Fingerprinting instructions.
1). Get an stamp inkpad.
2). Wash the child's hands and dry them.
3). Ink up the child's fingers. One at a time.
4). Put the child's fingerprints on the first piece of paper.
This gets rid of most of the ink not needed for the print.
Go to fingerprint sheet and ROLL the child's fingerprint from left to right. (Make sure the loops, arches, and whirls) are readable not smudged. Practice a few times on regular paper before actually printing the child.
5). List Child's Blood Type.__________.
6). Race:___________________.
7). Collect a sample of child's hair. Take a clean brush or comb, comb the child's hair and collect 10 strands of hair, place the hair inside a clean dry paper envelope. Put the Child’s name, the date collected on the outside of the envelope.
8). Collect the Child’s fingernail clippings and place them inside a clean dry paper envelope. Put the Child’s name, the date collected on the outside of the envelope.
9). Take a cotton swab and swab the child's mouth for approximately 10 seconds. Put swab inside a clean dry envelope and seal the envelope. Put the Child’s name, the date collected on the outside of the envelope.

Parent information.
Mother:_________________________________________________________
(First Middle Last Maiden - Married Name).
Date of Birth __________________________. Age:_______________.
Home Telephone#________________________ WK#___________________________
Cellular_______________________________. Race:_____________.
Home Address:_______________________________________________________
Work address:_______________________________________________________
Email address:________________________________________

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Father:_______________________________________________
(First Middle Last)
Date of Birth_______________________. Age:_______________.
Home Telephone#______________________ WK#_________________________
Cellular__________________________________. Race:______________.
Home Address:________________________________________________________Work address:______________________________________________________
Email address:__________________________.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Write us at searchdog@iinet.com and we’ll send you our free child id kit.
Visit our web site www.k9sardog.com for more information.

Thank You
Mr. Harry E. Oakes Jr.
Email: searchdog@iinet.com
Web: www.k9sardog.com
Office 360-414-8093.


Harry’s Yahoo 360 blog re SAR.
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-aczg0BU5erSlJvtwUKlYqssO

Photos of Harry’s search dog teams in action. http://www.flickr.com/photos/25451583@N03/


www.k9sardog.com

Jackie

International K-9 Search and Rescue Services
P.O. Box# 1472, Longview, Washington 98632 USA.
E Mail: k91sar@yahoo.com Web: www.k9sardog.com
INTEGRITY YOU CAN TRUST - SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON.

The bond of love between humans and animals is expressed by this story.

"When Her Little Dog Cried and Said Good-bye".
By Mr. Harry Oakes, Search and Rescue Coordinator & Dog Handler.

On 08-06-96, we flew two K-9 SAR Dog teams to Tennessee, to try and find a kidnapped victim. The lead dog handler, Harry E. Oakes Jr. with Search and Rescue (SAR) Dog Valorie, took time from his work and donated his own money, time, and skills to assist on this case.

When we arrived at the little girl's home, we found a little brown pregnant dachshund named Mudpuddle. The sadness in her eyes said it all. Her heart was aching and broken and if you looked deep into her sad eyes, you could see the tears. You could feel the emptiness and loneliness in her heart as her best friend, Jackie, was gone, taken by a monster, forever. A monster named "R" had stolen her 9 year old partner named Jackie from the front yard, savagely raping her and then strangling her to death. Then the monster buried the little girl in a cold, wet, shallow, dirt grave.

When we started our search for the little girl, our hearts were filled with sadness when our dogs tracked the victim to the suspect's car, and then to where he performed his horrible acts of terror. When our dogs gave the death alerts in the suspect's vehicle, we knew that Jackie would never return to Mudpuddle, or her family alive.

When we were all done with our search, I was sitting down with my dog, Valorie, wiping the tears from my eyes. I was looking into the sky trying to find some answers and comfort in what we do, from God above. I felt a nudge, a soft gentle nudge of a little scared dog with a broken heart. She was asking me if she could share her pain. In my heart as I looked deep into her big brown sad eyes, I could feel that she was asking me if her best friend was coming home. I pulled her close, gave her a long hug, and I kissed her gently on her head. I sadly told her that her best friend would never be coming home again and that "It wasn't her fault at all, her best friend Jackie was dead" and I reassured Mudpuddle that we shared in her loss and sorrow.

You see, when I talked to Jackie's mother, I was told that Mudpuddle never left Jackie's side. If Jackie got a bath, so did Mudpuddle. If Jackie went to school, Mudpuddle was there, waiting to walk her home. When Jackie went to bed. Mudpuddle was lying there asleep next to Jackie on the bed, protecting her from the night. They were inseparable. When Jackie disappeared that day, Mudpuddle had been at her side and was forced by "R" to be separated from Jackie.

Mudpuddle was found by the family, police, and searchers, lying right at the spot where "R" abducted little Jackie. And where he had driven off with Jackie, leaving poor little Mudpuddle all alone in the rain, shivering and cold, crying for her Jackie. Mudpuddle wouldn't leave the spot from where her partner, Jackie, was taken.

Mudpuddle was never to see her friend alive again. When I saw the sadness in her heart and in her eyes, I held her close and reassured her that she did everything she could, and this wasn't her fault. As I held Mudpuddle gently in my arms and as I talked with her, a peace seemed to come over her heart and Mudpuddle gently licked my face and laid her head on my shoulder and whined. As the tears streamed down my face, I could feel a little broken heart next to mine. I had to go, and as I walked my own SAR Dog Valorie to the van, I looked back at Mudpuddle and bent down one more time and gave her a hug and a kiss and told her she was a good girl.

Mudpuddle walked towards the house, paused and looked back towards me as if to say: "Thank you for doing what you did for Jackie and me." She then walked to Jackie's bedroom, lay at the entrance of the door and looked out to the woods and roads where Jackie disappeared, never to return again. She only moves to go to the bathroom and then she returns to Jackie's room, waiting.

My Letter to Jackie

Dear Jackie,
We did our best to find you, my partner and I, along with your dog Mudpuddle and our search dog Valorie. Your mom and dad searched day and night, along with Billy Hale, an NMCLC Investigator, and a lot of good people from your home town. We were able to find enough evidence to put the monster that hurt you away forever. I just want you to know that though we never met you.

You're a very lucky and special girl. You have a very special friend waiting for you. Ask God if you can come say good-bye to Mudpuddle? She is pregnant and when she has puppies, this will give her someone to love and hold dear. Jackie, Mudpuddle wanted me to say she loves you and misses you and she just wanted to say GOOD-BYE. Your friends from Search and Rescue, Harry with Search dog Valorie.


This is why Harry and SAR Dog Valorie do what they do. "To bring the kids home so the family can have closure". If you ever wish to assist I.K.9.S.A.R.S. with our efforts contact us at our web site: www.k9sardog.com or, email us at: searchdog@yahoo.com International K-9 Search and Rescue Services P.O. Box# 1472, Longview, Washington 98632 USA.

Thank you
Harry and SAR Dog Valorie K-9-1.