K-9 Memorial Tribute

Marco

Marco:

June 29, 1993

December, 2004

    Marco was certified in Basic Area and Advanced Area S.A.R. and was also excellent at water searches.

     Marco has been credited for several deceased victims finds and one live find on land as well as over 20 water finds; including one being in Fayette County. Marco was and will always be a special dog, he was first being trained as a Police dog, he was doing excellent at tracking and finding hidden suspects but would not do the protection work, so the Rescue Squad bought him and he was introduced in 1996 as the first Search and Rescue K-9 in the Sangamon County Rescue Squad. At that time, he had several Handlers working with him under the watchful eye of the Springfield Police K-9 Trainer JR Hauversburk.

Donna

 Donna:

May 8, 1994

July 22, 2004

    Donna was certified in Basic Area and Advanced Area S.A.R. as well as Tracking. Donna was a member of the Sangamon County Rescue Squad since December of 1996, when she was imported form Amsterdam. We like to use a second dog to confirm our hits on water work and Donna came forward in doing this. She was credited with several water finds along with Marco. Donna was also the mother of 11 puppies, 10 of which were certified Search Dogs.

Owen:

 July 24, 1997

 June 18, 2003

     Owen was the largest of 11 littermates and was number 7 in birth order. At six years old his average weight was 97 lbs. We chose Owen as his name after learning that his father’s name Marco stood for Warrior and that Owen stood for Young Warrior. It started as a joke because my middle name is Owen, but it was fitting and we stuck with it. Maybe sharing a name with him was another part of what made him so special to me.

   He was so full of energy and always ready to go in the truck. When it was time to train it took all I had to hold him back. Owen really liked to jump into or over objects. He was not always graceful but always got the job done. He would crawl through pipes that you would think he would get stuck in due to his size but always came out wanting to do more. It became a game for him to jump over our deck rail when he was out playing in the yard. He really enjoyed performing for anyone who wanted to watch. The continuous training with him over his six years with us was like one big playtime.

   I learned a lot about dogs working with Owen and intend to use this knowledge with my next dog. Even though Owen never had a chance to help a victim in need while he was living, the knowledge I gained from him will help me prepare my next helper to be as devoted and ready to work as he was.

  Owen not only enjoyed his time with me during training but had also become a big part of my family’s life as well. When my wife Cindy passed by his kennel he would always be there, looking for the treat that he knew she had. My two daughters enjoyed playing with him every chance they got.

The bond that formed between us made his passing very difficult. He will be greatly missed and always remembered, not only by his immediate family, but, by his extended family of the other Rescue Squad members, and everyone else that ever met him.

Max

 Max, 6 year old German shepherd

Handler: Kathy DeJong

    Max is certified in Basic Area and Advanced Area S.A.R and has the Canine Good Citizen and Obedient Dog Achievement Awards.

     Max’s handler, Cathy, is a charter member of the Sangamon County Search and Rescue K9 Team with the acquisition of Marco, both Xavier and Max’s father, in 1996. She has been training both Xavier and Max since they were 8 weeks old and is also one of Marco’s handlers.

Brutus

K-9: Brutus, July 24, 1997

2005

Handler: Paula Sawyer

    In loving memory of Brutus, a gentle soul, who was bred for a life of service. He worked graciously not only in the field but also as a good will ambassador for his breed and profession.  I was proud to have him as my partner until his death in 2005.