My Blog
Back from Vacation
We are back from a much needed vacation from Cocoa Beach FL. Well, we stayed on vacation with Julie and Tessa, but everyone else went to Florida. I began to think how fun it would be to travel with the dogs. I noticed the the Holiday Inn we stayed in was very pet friendly, especially to service dogs. To my surprise, Our hotel was literaly right next door to a dog park. On top of that, I noticed that both Sea-World, and Kennedy Space Center, had on-site kennel facilities. I think the boys would just love a trip to the beach. I can see them chasing balls around in the surf now. It seems that accomodations would have been great if they went on this trip. The only downside is that we were traveling in the compact car to save gas over the usual vacation ride which is the truck. There was possitivly no room for dogs on this ride. I have been on numerous bussiness trips with my partners over the years, and they seemed to enjoy crashing in the hotel with me for a week, but never just for fun. I would like to try that out sometime.
Bell county closer to new K-9
The Bell County Sheriff's Department is closer to getting a new K-9.
You might remember "King" was killed along with his Deputy Sean Pursifull in a crash in January. Students at the Yellow Creek School recently started saving pennies. The fundraiser grew and Thursday the students presented the Bell County sheriff with a check for over one thousand dollars.
"It was a very special dog. It meant a lot to our community and I thought it would be the right thing to do," said Yellow Creek Student Caitlin Abbott.
"I don't have words to describe how grateful I am and how much this would have meant to Sean and how much King and Sean meant to this community, especially the schools," said Bell County Sheriff Bruce Bennett.
The sheriff says people throughout the community have raised enough money that he's already begun the process of getting another K-9 for his department
Another new development:
I talked to the Bell County Commonwealth Attorney today. He is wanting to build a statewide memorial to dogs killed in the line of duty. Sounds like a great idea to us!
First ever (annual?) retired dog days
Last weekend brought big fun as k9Jessy got a visit from her friend, and former handler for Grand Rapids, with her retired partner Bo. I smell some competition here involving certain retired dogs. Now, Saturday the girls got together and did some bite work. I have to hand it to them, the rain and cold did not deture them from having a bunch of dog fun. (If it ain't rainin', we ain't tranin') Now I on the other hand was home dry and warm. In my defense though, I did not get a phone call until after the festivities were over with. Eros said they might have been a little scared.
Sunday though we scrounged up 5 cars to put drug odors out on to see if the dogs still had what it takes. I was thinking of a guys vs. girls competition. The only problem is we had guy/guy (me) team, girl/girl(Jessy) team, and girl/guy(bo) team. By the end all the dogs didn't look like they had missed a single training day. Eros had a bit of trouble with one car, and so did jessy. That left the tie breaker to Bo. He knocked it out like a champ. In the end there was some controversy over wether or not that counted as a guy win because of the dog, or a girl win because of the handler. We ended up settling for a tie. Oh well, maybe next year! Photo's of the event can be viewed in Eros' photos.Handler and dog killed in the line of duty
This happened about 3 am this morning. It is my understanding that he has a wife and two young kids. May god watch over them!
Deputy Sheriff Sean Pursifull
Bell County Sheriff's Department
Kentucky
End of Watch: Thursday, January 10, 2008
Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Thursday, January 10, 2008
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Charged with murder
Deputy Sean Pursifull was killed when his parked patrol car was intentionally rammed by a suspect fleeing a trooper from the Kentucky State Police. The two juvenile suspects in the car had just stolen gas from a service station in Baster and then fled down US 119.
As the occupants fled from the state troopers, the driver crossed the center line and rammed Deputy Pursifull's patrol car, which was parked at the time. Deputy Pursifull and his K9 partner, King, were both killed.
The two suspects were taken into custody and charged with murder and assault on a service animal.
Agency Contact Information
Bell County Sheriff's Department
Kentucky Ave
Pineville, KY 40977
Phone: (606) 337-3102
Please contact the Bell County Sheriff's Department for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.
Rest in peace brothers
These are the dogs of our lives
I was watching Eros the other day. Watching the big man trying to get up off the floor to walk. It is a struggle these days and a far cry from the young dog I used to watch jump over six foot walls. I keep telling him he is not allowed to get old, but it doesn't seem to be helping any. It naturally caused me to think of all the dogs that have passed through my life...all too briefly. The first was a fiesty chihuahua that belonged to my parents when I was born. Then the boarder collie that gave me rides on my skateboard as a youth. Then a dog that changed my sixteen year old life. His name was Sam and he was one of the timberwolf/shepherd mixes. That is when I became interested in training dogs. A K-9 handler with the local PD agreed to help me train the dog (why I don't know!). I learned a lot of lessons that summer not just about training a dog, but having a bond with a dog that really can't be understood by regular folks. Success, failure and having a friend that gave his all without really asking for much in return. My first partner as a handler was a salty old veteran named Khan who can be seen "on Vacation" at JessyK9's page laying by the pool with jessy, and Tessa. He taught me as much about handling a police dog as I ever taught him. He also saved my butt a time or two! I can never get the memory out of my head of our last trip to the Vet. You know the one. My nickname for Eros was "wonderdog" 'cause he was just that good. I placed my life in his hands (paws), and him in mine. It still breaks my heart that he can't go to work anymore. God knows he is willing. I think often of how much time we have left. How will I cope with his loss? Perhaps I should just be glad that I have him now, and that I had the pleasure of knowing and working with such a fine soul. Now I have a new partner in Jerry Lee. I look forward to getting to know this dog and wonder what things he and I will do as he passes through my life....all too briefly |
