On
February 2, 2020, the best dog in the World went to his final home. He stepped across the Rainbow Bridge, where he waits for his earthly owner. Now, it was his turn to be shown the ropes by other dogs
who were waiting for their owners just like he was. The best dog in the world had a name and that name was Radar. Radar found his new mom and his life started on a special path when he
was just five weeks old. Lori was looking for a special dog to perform a very special life-saving task.
Lori's teammate convinced her to go look at a new litter they had heard about from friends. This one dog with an intense stare was the first one to run up to her. She reached down scooping up the intense little pup, checked him out and put him back down. Grabbing another puppy, Lori also checked this one out and set that one back down. Reaching for the next one, she paused because the intense little dog she had chosen first had made his way back into the loop. She passed him over, but try as she might, after each pup, he was right there for her to pick up again! She acknowledged to herself his persistence and told him, "okay, I already saw you". Trying to move on she finally realized this little puppy repeatedly engaged with her over and over again, begging for her attention! She had heard it said that the right dog will raise their paw and say they want to be a search dog, but this dog was jumping up and down, barking at the top of his lungs that I CAN DO IT! Quicker than the blink of an eye, "Radar" and Lori's life changed forever. It appeared "Radar" had found Lori, and a bond was formed that would take the two of them on a journey that would change their lives and the lives of countless others.
From
Lori, "Someone told me it always helped them to put into words what his
dog meant to him and suggested it might help a little. So I decided to give it
a try! RADAR was the best part of me! I
just hope I can keep some of that with me moving forward. Radar LIVED life!
From day one, that boy lived every day with enthusiasm, excitement, love, and
pure joy! He never understood "easy" until he drew his last
breath!
Radar
started his training as a "live find" wilderness search dog at 12
weeks of age in the summer of 2007. I NEVER
had to tell him twice to work. His command to start searching was "Go
Find." He was a National Association
of Search and Rescue certified dog who could search a 60-acre area in 1.5 hours. We train
every weekend. Either Friday night or Saturday morning. And work throughout the
week as well. It takes about 2 years to get a dog certified and mission ready.
I could not even begin to count the number of training hours, and actual search
missions Radar attended. I am very proud of the fact that Radar knew his job
right off the bat and did it VERY well.
Part of his job was to attend PR (public relations) events for the team.
We receive calls all the time to participate in different functions and teach all ages what Search and Rescue is all about, how the dogs work, and how they can be safe. He truly loved doing the events and interacting with the public. The dogs must be well behaved and pass a basic obedience test as well. Radar was ALWAYS anxious to learn something new! Tricks, Agility, Dock Dogs, Rally, and Frisbee.... anything! He just wanted to be doing something every minute!
Radar endured TPLO surgery, upper respiratory infection, a heart condition, Lyme disease, and Ehrlichia! All at the age of 10 years and older. He even had 3 episodes of sudden collapse within 10 days in which we never found the cause and he never stopped. I decided to retire him on December 11, 2019, from search and rescue. He was still more than willing to do his job, but it was irresponsible to take him to a search or PR event, never knowing when he would be affected. It was then I decided he and I should learn AKC Rally Obedience. At first, he thought this slow-paced game was quite silly, and I had to keep reminding him this was a non-speaking role as Radar was a very vocal guy. We only had the opportunity to compete in two trials. Still, in true Radar fashion, he qualified in all four runs with scores from 87-100 and earned his AKC Novice Rally Title! Not too shabby at the age of 12.5 years and his first time in an obedience ring. Radar was proof you can teach an old dog new tricks. Of course, you never told Radar he was old! His other recreational sport was playing agility. He loved it, as well. We humans couldn't keep up with him, and he was very vocal about that too!
We receive calls all the time to participate in different functions and teach all ages what Search and Rescue is all about, how the dogs work, and how they can be safe. He truly loved doing the events and interacting with the public. The dogs must be well behaved and pass a basic obedience test as well. Radar was ALWAYS anxious to learn something new! Tricks, Agility, Dock Dogs, Rally, and Frisbee.... anything! He just wanted to be doing something every minute!
Radar endured TPLO surgery, upper respiratory infection, a heart condition, Lyme disease, and Ehrlichia! All at the age of 10 years and older. He even had 3 episodes of sudden collapse within 10 days in which we never found the cause and he never stopped. I decided to retire him on December 11, 2019, from search and rescue. He was still more than willing to do his job, but it was irresponsible to take him to a search or PR event, never knowing when he would be affected. It was then I decided he and I should learn AKC Rally Obedience. At first, he thought this slow-paced game was quite silly, and I had to keep reminding him this was a non-speaking role as Radar was a very vocal guy. We only had the opportunity to compete in two trials. Still, in true Radar fashion, he qualified in all four runs with scores from 87-100 and earned his AKC Novice Rally Title! Not too shabby at the age of 12.5 years and his first time in an obedience ring. Radar was proof you can teach an old dog new tricks. Of course, you never told Radar he was old! His other recreational sport was playing agility. He loved it, as well. We humans couldn't keep up with him, and he was very vocal about that too!
Radar's
Legacy was to live
like he did! LIVE LIFE! Don't just sit back and watch it go by! Try new and
different things and do it with enthusiasm, joy, and LOVE doing it! Help
people and other animals every chance you get! He so dearly loved his #1 job as
a search and rescue dog! He was BORN to search, and boy did he did it
well! I would always ask him...
"Are you ready? Somebody needs help... can you help them?" He would
answer with a resounding "woof woof"!!! Then I gave his command to
"Go Find," Off he went and never stopped until we cleared our area or
found who we were looking for. Whether at training or a real search, he always
gave it everything he had! You always knew when he caught their scent and took
off! His tail went up like a flag waving in the wind!"
Radar
played a huge role in helping locate many lost and injured individuals over the years. He was the ultimate pack leader, accepting foster dogs over the years teaching them things I could not. When
potential dog adopters came for a meet and greet, they were always impressed with
Radar’s gentle but firm leadership. Many contacted me after the adoption and
told me to thank Radar for helping teach their new furry friend good
manners and fun games. From young puppies to mature adults, he helped them all.
Many of those adopted parents, upon learning of his passing, have sent me heartfelt messages thanking Radar once again and sending their love.
Lori Wassmer
Radar 2/2/2020
Ohio Valley Search and Rescue
Most of you have had that "Best Dog in the World," but if you," haven't, be prepared, they will teach you to love like you have never loved before! I never had the opportunity to meet Radar, but I felt I knew him through the beautiful story Lori shared with me. I understand her helpless sorrow because I too have met and lost "my" Best Dog in the World. We can all relate to this kind of pain and sorrow when losing that special dog. Try to remember and celebrate their life and the many things you did with them. I encourage you to never feel guilty about the things you “should of" or "could have” done. To them, it’s enough that you gave them your heart, you gave them a gentle hand and loved them with everything. Trust me, it's not how many times you threw a Frisbee or slung that ball with all your might, make no mistake, they have loved you with all their strength and will carry that love beyond their last breath as you will too. You will never be the same when they are gone. Even though their loss hurts so much, I will celebrate their life and our relationship together but at times, it still takes my breath.
Standing
on the edge of Rainbow Bridge, the last command to Radar was said, "Go Find,” “GO
FIND HIM RADAR." Find Clancy and tell
him I love and miss him... Once Upon a
Time the best dog in the world, was born, and he was ours... Ken
