K9 Scout and New Beginnings

KYK9 lost K9 Scout in January at the age of 16. K9 Scout was my devoted partner whose sense of adventure, tenacity, and intelligence inspired the creation of KYK9. She was my first search dog. Together we learned how to become a K9 search team. She would stare at me with her coal black eyes. I would blink; she would blink. I would close my eyes; she would close her eyes. Then we would both fall asleep.

That devotion and her unrelenting desire to work gave me the courage to enter the world of K9 search and rescue, a world that thought a small white terrier could not do the job. Scout paid them no heed, and following her lead, we were not deterred.

K9 Scout paved the way for her little sister, K9 Remy. And, what a work team they became! They saved lives, they found the living, and they found the dead. They helped families. And now they are both gone. Losing Remy and now Scout, my partner of 16 years, has left a hole in me and in KYK9.

Springtime is a time of renewal. K9 Pocket is now KYK9’s torchbearer who will teach the next generation of KYK9 search dogs, sharing all she has learned from Scout and Remy. K9 Pocket’s breeder, Laurel Seison, has been looking for the perfect puppy to become K9 Pocket’s first protégé.

And, great news, Laurel has found that puppy in her newest litter. KYK9 is blessed to have Laurel’s generous support as we move on to the next generation. If all goes as planned, K9 Pocket’s protégé, a male, will be here in a couple of weeks! I will be in touch shortly with a photo of the new puppy. I am thinking KYK9 could use a little help naming its newest addition.

In memory of K9 Scout, my beloved first.

Jennifer Jordan Hall