Totally Tuesday chat

Sad about the firefighter. Glad the mama dog is safe.

My eye itches so much I'd like to dig it out right about now. Stupid allergies.

I'll bet the BBQ chicken is awesome in Texas.

cakana

Julie - I must've missed the post about your gma passing away. I'm sorry for your loss and agree that funerals and death bring out the worst in families sometimes. (((Hugs)))

It's gorgeous here today and looks like it'll stay sunny but not too hot for the rest of the week. DH wanted to go to the gym and then for a long bike ride, so I brought Shane to work with me. I love having him here with me .

A firefighter DH works with has been missing since last Friday. He went out on a kayak on a small lake and hasn't been seen since. They found the kayak, so it doesn't look good. They've had people out every day with their boats looking for his body and they set up a camp out there for his family.

 

I didn't really post that she passed away, just said she was on her last days. I spent nearly all night with her at the hospital on Fri and while she wasn't breathing well, we laughed and enjoyed each others company. She was very glad that I was there and I was content being there with her with just us 2. Hanging out. The nurses were great and we were entertained by the super foul tempered delirious old people on the floor. Sunday morning my SIL texted me and said gma declined and the docs only gave her about 24 hrs. So, I went to the hospital again. The whole family was there (at least everyone from MI), including my uncle from CO so it was nice. She was totally out of it for most of the time I was there but she did wake up and smile at me when I walked in and she heard my voice. Then right before she passed, she was trying to talk to me but I couldn't make out what she was saying. I just told her that we were taking her home that day or the next (she hated not being home). She mouthed OK and went to sleep. That was pretty much it. Fairly peaceful. She wasn't in any pain or discomfort other than not breathing well. We never had to give her pain killers or any type of stress relaxer. It is sad, but she was ready to die. Had been for a while. I know I brought her comfort by being there, we had a good relationship. What else can you ask for right?

 

sorry to hear about the missing firefighter. ugh. I have worked missing person cases just like that. It is so hard for the family. Here in MI, when a person goes missing on the water, it usually takes 7-10 days to find them due to water temps. I imagine they will make a recovery soon. Are they using dogs? That would pinpoint a dive area based on scenting conditions.

 

Julie, I'm sorry to hear about your Grandma.  It sounds like you had lots of quality time with her in her final days, which I'm sure brought great comfort to her, and will be something you can hold in your heart always.  From what you described, she passed in a way most of us would want for any loved one (or even ourselves) -- peacefully, no pain, with special people close by.  I think you should honor her however you wish - and going to a wake or funeral service doesn't have to be a part of that.  I find wakes (with open caskets) rather disturbing and prefer to remember people as they were alive and well.

Cathy, what a sad situation with the missing firefighter . . . maybe there's a ray of hope he's okay.  His poor family.

Glad the pittie mama was caught -- I hope she feels safe now, and is strengthened by some food and shelter.

Glenda, you may get sniffly over a card, but it could be worse --- I react that way to some TV ads, YouTube videos, and other stories I read online or see on the news!  At least I'm alone in 99% of those cases, but being in a movie theatre can be risky! 

Paige, we're looking into getting some local honey (this guy didn't sell his, but other members of the association do, so I checked out info on their website).  If you want to PM me your email address, I can email you a few photos of the swarm collection!

Julie, I knew you were spending some time with your GMa.  Sorry about her passing but it sounds like she was ready and you helped her let go.  You know we talk about this often when we are concerned about our sick or old pets but our grandparents are much the same.  They get tired, they get lonely and then they are ready to go, it is our duty as loving grandchildren to tell them it's ok and they can leave when it is time.  To me memorials can be special, I dont really get the whole arguement about the monetary things.   I want my kids to celebrate my life not mourn my death.

I had read the news about the firefighter, my prayers go out to that family. 

mmmkay.....I am not movtivated to work....I wanna go home and play in the dirt.   Would one of you guys come over to my house and get rid of all the clutter and sell it so I can buy an heatpump?    People sell stuff on Craigslist that some times have me scratching my head???  I know I got some good stuff...I could sell it all and start all over and would not hurt my feelin's at all. 

That is all I have for now, hugs for those that need them....

 

 

Julie, I'm sorry about your grandma but I have to second everyone else.  No way are you callous.  You were with her while she was still alive and could be comforted by your presence.

Cathy, I'm sorry about the fireman.  I'll keep his family in my thoughts and prayers.

Callie, I'm glad your dad is doing better.  Doesn't it make you a bit nervous though, knowing that some of those types of people that you've encountered in the hospital could one day actually have your life in their hands? 

I went to the last day of a small local fair with a neighbor on Sunday afternoon, and when I got home I discovered that DS #2 had totally cleaned up the house.  He cleaned the kitchen counters and sink, vacuumed all the dog hair up from both the carpet and wood, took out all the junk mail and newspapers still lying around etc.  Now I'm wondering if I can maybe keep it this way just for just awhile. 

Joyce

Jewlieee

It is so hard for the family. Here in MI, when a person goes missing on the water, it usually takes 7-10 days to find them due to water temps. I imagine they will make a recovery soon. Are they using dogs? That would pinpoint a dive area based on scenting conditions.

I think I read that they are using dogs. How do they do that on water?

Your last visits with your gma sound wonderful and I can only imagine how content and peaceful she felt to have her family there and to hear that she was going home.

I forgot about a lunch date with a friend I haven't seen in ages. She called to see where I was and I almost started crying I felt so horrible. She was way more forgiving than I might've been. I have never, ever done anything like that before and I'm still baffled why it's not showing on my outlook calendar. I remember when we planned it that I put on there but there's no sign of it. I looked for last month, next month, next year....nada

cakana

I think I read that they are using dogs. How do they do that on water?

 

**raises hand wildly with answer**  The dogs are in boats with their handlers.  They can smell the gas and other scents released by a body that's under water. Julie can probably describe it in more detail than I can since SAR is her thing and I've only read a little about it.  SAR dogs have different areas of specialty work though some have been trained to do several different types.  I hope if the firefighter is dead they can locate his body for his family's sake. 

Cathy, I would have been equally distressed if I'd forgotten a lunch date with a friend.  I'm glad she wasn't upset with you.

Jackie has it right. The skin cells and biological chemicals float to the surface and the dogs smell that. Some dogs are good on boats, some not, some are good at shoreline and some not. On our team, when working a drowning, we will work a boat dog and a few shorline dogs at the same time then mark on a map where the dogs alert, then you can triangulate where the person should be within the scent pool. You look at water temp, how much body fat a person has, when they last ate, if they had alcohol in their system and water current then you can estimate depth and location for where to send divers. Its very interesting watching a dog work water scent. A dog who would normally happily play in water will taste (different than drinking) the water surface when there is scent linguring there. Its not something a normal dog handler would notice, you kind of have to be trained to see the behavior shift when a dog goes from just hanging around water to actually working scent on water.

We are having a boat/water training session this weekend. I will see if I can get video of some of the dogs. Technically abbie is not supposed to be working human remains yet but i plan to get her in the boat anyway to see how she will do with it moving.

Julie that is so amazing.  I think SAR dogs and handlers are so special.   I have a couple of SAR teams as customers and it just amazes me when they tell me stories, I always am interested when you or any of the others talk about SAR.  I always thought Shadow and now Rocky would be good SAR dogs.  They have the focus and personality I have heard is important in a search.  I know I could get involved but the would be time and money I dont have right now, I am very thankful for those of you that do SAR, it is very important work.

Theres a gorgeous rotti on one of the teams in TN that I met at the conference in GA. It was very cool to watch that dog work and interesting how he was trained a tad differently because of his strength and power. He was a pretty large (not fat) rotti! I am always amazed at how versitile that breed is. I have seen them herding sheep too! Anyway, sar does take a lot of time and a LOT of money. I prob put at least 5k miles on my car each year just for sar. Think of all that gas money! Blech. It is also annoying at times. Sar has a lot of stupid politics, not just within individual teams but btwn teams in the same state and surrounding states, plus politics with local officials. Its enough to make anyone ask why they would volunteer for such a thing. But the dog training part of it is very interesting. You have to work with the strengths and weaknesses of your dog, which can be frustrating. Abbie, for instance, will never work an urban search, like the searches we did in detroit, saginaw and flint, due to her reactivity issues and all the stray dogs found in inner cities. She is awesome in the woods though, especially if there is water around that she can pull scent off of to follow the scent trail. Neiko otoh would be great in urban areas but because he doesn't range far would take twice as long as abbie to search 200 acres or more.

Isn't there a "cone of scent"?  Can you explain that a little bit?  I really wanted to do SAR, but the folks I talked with were worried about my ancient body not holding up to the rigors.  Loved the dogs, didn't want ME so much.....story of my life...LOL!

I too find the SAR dogs and the work amazing and that's fascinating how they do it on water. DH has the opportunity to go out to the site and help with the search, so I'm kind of hoping he does it. Although the whole situation is incredibly sad it might be a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.

I started working with "sit" on walks today with Shane and he did fantastic, even with a bunch of distractions. I'm using only moderately yummy treats too but he seems motivated to work for them. I hope he's having as much fun as I am.

glenmar

Isn't there a "cone of scent"?  Can you explain that a little bit?  I really wanted to do SAR, but the folks I talked with were worried about my ancient body not holding up to the rigors.  Loved the dogs, didn't want ME so much.....story of my life...LOL!

ROTFLMAO!!!!  Apparantly they do not know you very well, Tough Old Broad with a chainsaw and shovel????

ETA: Good job Shane!  Of course he is having fun...cause he is being loved and he knows it.

 lol yes, that is a common problem in SAR: the dogs are great, the handlers, not so much haha! Some teams are different than others as far as age and physical ability goes. Since MI is fairly flat you don't need to be able to climb mountains and all that. Just stay on your feet and walk all day. You do have to be able to clear 160 acres in 2 hours though (in typical MI terrain). For some people that can be a challenge, especially if you don't have a dog who ranges from you very far. That area and timeline is just the basics. Our searches usually last for 8-12 hrs with very little break time. It's a lot of walking and walking and walking and by the end of the day you have probably covered 400+ acres. With the shape I am in, I could not do SAR in a state like CO or one that is similarly mountainous but I can walk for a long time with no issues. It just can't be up a side of a mountain ;p

Cone of scent (or scent cone) is used to describe what the scent picture looks like. For example, picture a person standing with the wind in their face. Skin cells are constantly falling off their body and dispersing in the air around them. With the wind in their face, the scent picture (or scent cone) would be very concentrated right at the person, then it would slowly expand out behind the person, traveling with the wind.

 

So, your job as a handler is to put the dog in a position that would be down wind of a victim. In training, you train your dog to work perpendicular to the wind, making sweeps. When the dog gets into the scent cone, it will do a "head pop", meaning its head will come up and turn into the direction it catches the scent from, then it will sweep back and forth, working the scent cone edges until it gets to the source of the scent

 

 

With training, the dogs learn pretty fast to work  areas that would catch scent, which are called scent rails. Those are things like pools of water, hedges, fence lines, downed trees, holes in the ground, sun vs shade (depending on the time of day) and so forth. So you let the dog go and it goes to all these places that would likely hold scent until it finds scent, then it works that scent to the most concentrated source, which is at the victim. It is very cool to watch a naturally talented trained scent dog. 

ETA: even if you don't find your victim in the area you are searching, if you pay attention to the dog's body language and mark on your map whenever the dog gets scent behavior or a head pop, you can narrow down where the missing person might be based on the direction the wind is traveling, time of day, terrain, etc. So, if the person is a half mile away and you have good wind, you wouldn't want to ignore a subtle head pop even if the dog loses the scent. Mark it down then look at all your subtle head pops and you can see where the wind is taking the dispersed scent from. 

 btw Cathy, I don't know what I would really encourage your DH to go. Something like that really sticks with you. I'm sure your DH is used to stuff like that but the few drowning / long recovery searches I've done really got under my skin. Every search affects me but those are always hard for some reason.