[Dailydrool] searching for lost dogs

[LOIS LEMA]

so you get a call to help search for a lost dog...great!  you are ready to run out & help.  stop.  sit down for a minute.  assess the situation first.  are you going to be an asset or a hinderance to the situation wandering around?  would you be best help manning a phone or driving the roads?  maybe your health needs really won't allow you do wander around for hours?  be honest..once the adreniline wears off searching isn't fun.

get a small backpack...open it.

ok..think about the weather....is it supposed to rain?  nothing worse than traisping out in the rain soaking wet looking for a dog.  if you are really miserable your concentration is off...pack a poncho, raincoat or at least a few heavy duty hefty bags (not fashionable but they work in a pinch)

food...got a medical condition?  you might be out there for a few hours or all day & not near your car...pack a pb &j sammie or some nuts, m & m's, some water etc.  you get depleted & wiped out then folks are having to search for you too.  that sucks 

flashlight...it gets dark.  you get lost in the dark ..can be small, fresh batteries help.

wear a bright shirt so peeps can see you, maybe a bright ball cap...

carry rescue business cards to hand out if you come across people to hand out so they can contact rescue

leashes...collars if you have a spare...great you find the dog but nhave nothing to walk him out..belts work well too but spare leashes are better

whistle...(like a ref's one) loud  you get stuck, fall down, in trouble dog in trouble count on your cell to not work.  whistles always do.

dog treats of some variety

charged cell phone with at least one # of the search party entered in

pocket knife...dog might have leash wrapped around something or be caught up in fishing line...sometimes you will need to cut away stuff..pocket knife always good to carry along.

the best search is one that doesn't have to happen.  check your dogs.  tags.  make sure everyone is tagged with correct info.  BOOMERANG  TAGS great product.  you can imprint both sides of the tag.  mine have rescue info on 1 side & mine on the other..a friends dog has mine & theirs..when she got loose the dog was found 10 miles away & i was called because of the tag.  

check the fence for spots they can get under/over etc.    you know the drill.  think like a dog.

have a handy pix of your dog (s) so that if they do make a run for the border you have something to give searchers so they know what they are looking for.



it sounds like a lot but really it isn't..small backpack.  but if you need any of this stuff & don't have it..well you'll be up that creek without a paddle.  it will make life & the search easier.

you laugh but when i get called to do a search i pack this "go" bag..i plan on being out there for a while & having all my crap with me...call it a left over havbit from those park ranger days.  if you are going to do a search, do it right.  don't get hurt, be safe & compound the problem.

lois



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