Belle
The hardest part of SAR is losing one’s partner, rapidly and before their time. Belle was known for her agility, beauty, speed, and trailing; the toughest of problems were no match for her thinking skills. She is the only dog I know that has climbed a tree over 10 feet off the ground in order to obtain a scent picture of the problem she was working. She enjoyed agility so much that she is the only canine I know of her size that could walk, sit and turn around on a 2×4. Belle helped me extend my knowledge to understand there are four trailing zones for a problem and that a handler needs to learn the body language for each zone. Trust in a partner’s ability allows for success as the search work is the dog’s problem and the handler’s job is help keep the canine in the workable scent zones. Our bond is inseparable and she will always be missed. Belle is now with Tasha, playing and searching.