Bella

My name is Lizzy and I’m an Australian Shepherd/Dalmation Mix.  I was born July 31, 2002 and I began training in Search and Rescue when I was 2½ years old.  I really enjoy going to Search and Rescue practice with my mom and dad, Linda and Fred Merrill and like being around other people.  My mom is my handler but my dad helps to keep me in line.  I also live with Molly, the other dog in our house.  I like to protect the house from other dogs that walk by our house, and I’m a very good doorbell, but my mom doesn’t always appreciate it.  Dad wasn’t happy with me when I chewed the seat belts in the car.  And I really like to eat Oreos even though I’m not allowed.  They were very proud of me when I passed my AKC Canine Good Citizen test.  “I bet I can outsmart any human any day of the week.”

Lizzy

Honey

Hi, I’m Honey Gallery, and my mom and handler is Patty Gallery.  I like to play in the water.  I was born March 4, 2006 and I am a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.  I first started in Search and Rescue when I was 14 weeks old.  My mom says one of my most mischievous moments was when I opened the donut box and picked out the one I wanted.  I didn’t even move the box and no one knew I stole it till a few days later.  I’m very strong and, honestly, don’t mean to pull people into the water with me.  Did I mention that I like the water?  My favorite things to do are to play in the water with the other search dogs on our team, counter surf when no one is watching, and play with my flying squirrel. I don’t live with any other animals – I have the house all to myself!  Mom says I’m very stubborn.  My motto is, “My way … alright … I’ll try it your way!”

I am Munsee and I’m not a lab – I AM a German Shepherd!  My new friend Ripley came to my house for a SAR Canine test, and she is a German Shepherd.  She has a long nose and big ears that stand up, just like me!!!!  I was born 12/15/06, and I’ve been training for Search and Rescue since I was three months old.  I live with my Mom, Paula Moore, but my SAR handler is Vikki Coup.  My best friend is Sam, a yellow lab, and I really look up to her.  She’s been doing SAR a long time.  I live with two cats, and I like to herd them and send them back down stairs.  Mom says I have a lot of mischievous moments, but I think my best was when Mom was getting me ready for SAR training and I stole the treat bag and ate all of them and didn’t wait for training.  I like to lay out in the yard and chew sticks and chase bugs.  One time a grasshopper jumped on my nose.  Mom and I knew we were right for each other the first time I laid down on the couch on her arm.  We looked into each others eyes and I told her, “We belong together and I love you.”

Munsee

Ebony

Hi, I am Ebony. I also answer to Eby or Ebonezer. I am an Australian Shepherd and I was born May 26, 2008. I have a big family. My Dad and handler is Fred Merrill, my mom is Linda Merrill, my big sister is Lizzy who is also my mom’s Search Dog, and Molly, a Yorkie. I started Search and Rescue when I was only 7 weeks old, and my favorite toys are balls. My dad’s most memorable moment was the first time I did a refind and came back to him, ALL BY MYSELF! That was only my third time, he says I am a quick learner! Dad says I am a true Aussie, I like to run all out in circles, and grab at anything I pass. My favorite thing to do is to run with my dog friends, but I also like to take naps. Foods that I like best are the ones my mom has, coffee, candy, anything she has is what I want. I also like to use my little sister Molly as my personal rag doll and drag her around by her hair. When my dad asks who did it, I say one of two things … “Who Me? I’m innocent.” Or “The devil made me do it!”

My name is Keele. I am a Border Collie and I was born January 29, 2007. I was named after my Great-Great Grandfather and I come from a long line of sheep dogs. I live with my mom and handler, Wanda Keppler, my dad, and my big sister Bella, who is also a Search Dog. My favorite person in the whole world is my mom, and I follow her everywhere. I started the search game when I was 9 months old, right when my mom adopted me. My family calls me “The Brat” because my favorite thing to do is to steal my sister’s toys. She gets really upset and barks at me. Once I went for a really long swim in the big river and my mom got really worried. When I can, I like to sneak out of the house, and sometimes my parents don’t even know I’m gone. My mom says I am very smart but that I don’t always show it. I am a Mama’s Boy!

Keele

Mekane

My full name is Mekane Urika, which are Native American words combined to make “Dog, useful to all.” Everyone just calls me Mekane. I was born June 6, 2008 and I am a German Shepherd. Brenda Peachey is my mom and handler and she remembers when she brought me home from my breeder. I cried pitifully for about 3 miles then fell asleep on Kayla’s lap. Kayla is my big sister. I started learning about Search and Rescue when I was 7 weeks old when I first attended a STRIKE team meeting and got to meet all the other dogs. My favorite toy is an Adidas Jabulani ball which is like a small soccer ball. Chilly Willly’s in Hartleton has the best food, a “dog dish.” I guard our house when I am home, but I really like to play in the woods. At the first morning of SAR-EX 2010 at about 5:00, I opened the zipper on our tent all by myself and played the “catch me if you can” game. I took Mom and Kayla, in their jammies, on a LONG tour of the Pinch Pond Campground. It was a wonderful game and I didn’t listen to anyone or take any treats because they didn’t want to play so early in the morning. Aunt Vikki ended the game by the time I got out on the road. Mom says I’m the Class Clown.

I am Quinn, the “Little Man.” I am a Yellow Labrador Retriever and I was born January 5, 2008. Vikki Coup is my mom and handler. My favorite toy is a floating boomerang that my Aunt Brenda gave me. If it is food, it is my favorite. Once I ate a w-h-o-l-e raw spaghetti squash! I really like to go swimming with my friends, Honey, Sars, and the big guy, Okie. I live with my big sister, Munsee, a German Shepherd. Thank goodness my ears don’t stand up like that! As soon as my mom is asleep, I jump into bed without her even knowing it! My mom is very proud of me because I am FINALLY learning the Refind.

Quinn