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Tuck Search and Rescue Therapy Dog

Shepherds of Thuringia

Shepherd of Thuringia
The German Shepherd descended from the Shepherds of Thuringia. These dogs were much smaller, had small erect ears, curly tails and were grey in color. They were stocky and small in stature. They were independent in nature and required much socialization. They were natural tending herders. They were gentle in nature and extremely intelligent.

Friedrich Sparwasser's Frankfort kennel was working on perfecting the perfect sheepdog. He also raised Norwegian Elkhounds. He used Swedish Sheepdogs, which were lighter, light built body, and lighter bones. I will be scanning and posting one of the earliest Champion German Shepherds from Friedrich Sparwasser'skennels.This is Peter von Pritschen, who was also from Thuringia. Peter was SZ 148 KrH PH, and was the champion in the year 1902. He was an example of a perfect working with all desired psychological as well as physical features. He was born on 14 December 1900.

Captain Stephanitz (Father of The German Shepherd) required a breed that would have the best and most desirable qualities . Both the Thuringian and Wurttemburg sheep dogs were first exhibited in a show held at Hanover in the year 1882 – the year that marked the beginning of the evolution of a dog that was having a mind blowing ability to control herd of sheep. Drastic steps were taken to synchronize these varieties of typical sheep dogs in one single breed. Intelligence and Utility were the watch words for the breeding program. Selective breeding was one of the determining factors in the project. Selection was made on the basis of the degree of shepherding qualities the dogs used to possess. Those dogs were selected that had the typical shepherd qualities, such as expressive heads, moderately lighter weights, good bones and good gait. The dentitions were to be quite strong. The bites were to be quite resistant and such that it would redirect the sheep to the desired direction without damaging. Dogs with erect ears were chosen to get the sound and noise and especially the shepherds’ commands from distant more accurately. This was how the selection was actually made for the perfectly selective breeding program. The German Shepherd Dog as we know today did not really appear until after the Second World War, although the project on the development of a perfectly working dog had already started by the Prussian cavalry captain Max Von Stephanitz. Planned and scientific breeding for correctly blending the blood of best of both worlds had produced enough outstanding specimens, and the breed that is today known as the "Deutsche Schaferhunde" - German Shepherd Dog had gained popularity by fast pace.

Texas EquuSearch

There is so much professional jealousy that this is a putoff. It seems as if every organization is always hating on someone.

I participated in a search managed by Texas EquuiSearch yesterday that brought all agencies in, taught the locals how to use all the local, regional, and even national talent available, manage the media, and pull support for a large search, in terms of hardware, software, everything a search needs, funding, food, even down to sunglasses and sunscreen and bug support for a long term search. They did this quickly, efficiently, with no interagency egos detracting each other and worked like a well oiled machine. Instead of egos conflicting with each other, they directed all talent in a focused and positive manner. It was a pleasure to work with them.

I wish all agencies would work this well and constructively together. KUDO'S to Texas EquuiSearch and all those who worked well together.

Detraction is distraction. Hating on people only detracts from yourself and your team. It sullies YOUR reputation. It makes you look like someone others want to avoid. Lets use resources positively.Take the resources available. If a team falls short, instead of shaking fists and heads and saying how miserable and useless they are, take them by the hand and offer helpful suggestions for improvement. This would help the SAR community for all and focus on the end goal. Saving lives.

Expectations -Danny Story

One day, browsing a used book store in Greenville. At the side of the store by the house, at that time there was a dog tied to a dog house. Danny and I walked in the store to browse. Danny , my always present companion, as is his son, Tuck, is now; picked up a book and brought it to me. I could see the discernment and disapproval of the store proprietor at the thought of a dog handling the merchandise. No biggy, all books were ten cents. If she thought a little dog spit was going to ruin her dog eared book, I'm be happy to spent the ten cents and put her mind to rest.



So when Danny presented me with the book, I handed him ten cents with instructions to go pay for it. He exchanged with me, the 10 cents for the book, and then took the money up to the proprietor, stood on his hind legs and handed her the dime over the counter..



Not sure if she was shocked or amazed. But she was not expecting that. She said, it was as if he selected his own book! Well obviously he just did.



She said Dogs aren't interested in books. thinking of how if she weren't imprisoned in stereotypes, she might know of the joys of quality time children who can't read themselves, do enjoy being read to. by their parents. Thinking of that poor unstimulated dog tied outside to a dog house, I asked her, how she knew? Did she ever read to her dog?



Thoughtfully, she said, "no"



I told her, dogs are a product of our expectations. If you expect a lot of them, they excel. Children, for instance, if you tied them out to a dog house from infancy, and treated them like a dog, you would expect them to grow up an unsociable animal. A child is, what you invest in them. Same with a dog.



Tuck, who can read up to 10 words off flash cards, (more or less, admittedly he forgets, if we don't practice often.. he has reading retention issues) and works in therapy in the schools assisting in the reading intervention program has driven this home, between both dogs and children regarding expectations.



A friend of mom and dad's who was diagnosed with severe retardation, recently died of her congenital afflictions. She aspired, and graduated National Honor Society, and Valedictorian of her class, simply because she never was told that with her disease, she could never achieve. No one locked that box that forced her to live in those expectations. She achieved, because no one ever told her that she couldn't.



Same with Danny, and same with Tuck. Instead of locking their limitations, we have explored the world's potential together.



It's been quite the journey.