In the summer of 2000 we had one son who had already graduated from high school. We had another who was about to be a senior, and our daughter was going to be a junior. All three of our kids were involved in all kinds of activities. There was band, choir, football, powerlifting. And those were just the school activities. Then we had 4H. So we also had dog projects, clothing, food, swine, sheep, rabbits, photography and I am sure other things I am leaving out. And of course, church. So we stayed busy.
But this summer my husband came to me and said, "You know, for years now you have been following the kids around and have been involved in all the things they are doing. They are going to be out of the house soon. What do YOU want to do?"
I didn't even know. I had never thought about it. I told him I would have to think about it and get back to him. I thought about all the things I enjoy. Gardening is definetly one of them, but that is fairly seasonal. I enjoy crocheting, but that is a rather sedentary activity. I enjoy reading, but there is just so much of that you can do, and again, it is a very sedentary activity.
Then I thought about how I enjoy being outside and I enjoy dogs. I love dogs. Always have. When I was a kid I would study dogs, learn everything I could about them, dream about them. I love watching a well trained dog do what it is trained to do. I don't care what it is. Herding sheep, taking down a bad guy, leading their blind partner around obstacles. Whatever it is, I enjoy watching them. So that was it. I wanted a dog. And not just any dog. I wanted a dog that I could train and work with and then go to some AKC Obedience Trials. So that was my answer. I wanted a dog.
But then he asked me what kind of dog. Again, I told him I would have to think about it and get back to him. I thought of different breeds that would be good for what I wanted. I like Shelties, but that is a lot of hair to contend with. Border Collies would be a good choice, but they are just too hyper for me. Then I thought back to the German shepherd (GSD) we had when I was a kid. And I also thought about the German shepherd that lived next door, but always came over to visit. I knew then that was what I wanted. So the search was on.
Now, at that time I didn't know much about the bloodlines of GSDs. I knew the history of the dog and they were a great multiuse dog and that I wanted a tan and black. I found a guy in Amarillo with a litter so we went "just to look." Well we brought home this little bundle of fur that our daughter named Jax.
Jax turned out to be a fabulous dog and learned the obedience commands quickly, but also became quickly bored as most GSDs will do. We went to a few obedience trials, but enjoyed smelling things in the ring more than he enjoyed listening to me. I also found out by taking him places and talking to other dog lovers that he had some German bloodlines which is a great thing.
At one of those trials a lady came up and asked if we had ever considered doing search and rescue (SAR). I told her we had, but didn't know who to contact. She invited us to come out and see if we would like it. So we did. And we got hooked.
From there we got very involved in SAR. We trained Jax and eventually got Sasha. Both dogs did a super job and we went on over 20 missions. We also started our own team with some friends who had also got started in SAR. We all knew this was where God wanted us and we honored him in all we did.
Even though we aren't involved in SAR now, we still do some training with our dogs just to give them a challenge. GSDs love to use their brain as much as anything else. They love a challenge. And now I am involved in Rally Obedience with my current GSD, Ricka. We both enjoy it.
Jax turned out to be one the greatest things for me when the kids were all gone. He was my constant companion. If I did go somewhere without him I would have people asking me where he was. Many times I would have vets, dog trainers and others who know about GSDs tell me that HE was what the German shepherd was supposed to be. Two of our kids have one of his offspring. He and Sasha had some beautiful pups in looks as well as temperament.
So that is how we got involved in SAR. All because my husband asked me a simple question. When I tell this story to couples the wife usually looks at her husband and asks, "Why didn't you ever ask me that?" I kind of think sometimes my husband wonders why he asked me. But he was just trying to be a good husband. He succeeded. He just didn't know where that simple question would lead us!
