Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Day Four: STOP

NOTE:  at the end of this post are answers to some of the questions from yesterdays post.

But right here we have a suggestion from Shawnee the Shepherd http://trailnote.com/  This is an excellent site and people should take advantage of it.  Thanks Shawnee.....

Oh, and my sincerest apologies, it appears you have to wait one more day to find out about the light stick and the blue bandana.  SORRY but if you want a hint, KB has the answer in her comment.

Today us dogs are going to teach a very very important thing to our humans so Listen carefully.
 We love you so much and want you to be safe so no matter what your age, This applies to YOU. 
 Are you Listening?   Are You?
 Here it comes.....
If you ever find that you have gotten separated from your hiking group......
STOP
Seriously......STOP....Don't Panic.  Don't run and try and find your hiking group.  STOP.........STOP.....   Because, you see.....the more you wander, the more likely you are to become even more lost.....Really.  Even those of you who are grown ups.......STOP
 Look around you.....Pick out a Tree.  A beautiful, friendly, happy tree.
Go to that Tree.  Sit yourself down next to your tree and STAY PUT....Wait there.    You can talk to your tree, tell it jokes, sing it songs,  give it a name.  And promise yourself you will STAY WITH YOUR TREE until we come and find you...... 
WE know it will be scary.  WE know you will fill lonely and afraid....but still... YOU MUST STAY PUT. 

Thats it.....Todays Post.....Simple and to the point.   Stop STOP STOP

Check in Tomorrow and we will teach you of some things you can do while you are sitting with your tree waiting for everyone to find you.......(hint) finally the blue bandana

Response to Yesterdays Comments

Fiona, as typed by Dr. Liz said... Fiona
We're not sure if we can count the number of ways to use duct tape in the wilderness, but we've got a few ideas.... However, we're very curious about the BLUE bandana. When we hike (not on one the multi-use trails that has street access every 0.5 miles and cell-phone service everywhere) Mom also carries a 1st aid kit tailored to Dad (sometimes he needs special meds) and to us. Now, with the Thundering Herd raising the question of how you carry out a 50lb dog who can't walk, Mom is thinking about what she can add 'just in case' - any suggestions?

My Vickie and I were very saddened when we read about the happenings at the Thundering Herd.  But just a suggestion for those who are wondering what you are wondering.......Heres One Way to Carry a big dog out.......

A few years ago on a search we had a young german shepherd show signs of exhaustion.....(The dog weighed in at 90 pounds)  The handler was a girl and My Vickie and Jamie were with them at the time.

It was decided that they MUST carry the dog back because they didn't want to exhaust it more and felt it needed medical attention.  (They were bad handlers to have let it get that bad....sometimes you get so intent on finding the missing person that you become a little neglectful of yourself and your partner)

Anyway, It was decided that they would do a fireman carry.  One handler got on their knees and the other handler put Balto (the dog) over the shoulders of the one on her knees.  Placing both set of legs on either side of the head of the carryer. 

Then with great effort, the handler carrying the dog was helped to their feet and began the two mile hike back.

They switched off twice during the hike with one handler carrying the dog and the other handler carrying both 40 pound packs.

It was a MISERABLE experience, but do-able.  The dog was fine by the way.....and went on to do many many more searches.  The handlers on the other hand, will never forget the pain of carrying that dog on thier shoulders and backs.

28 comments:

Just Ramblin' said...

Again, more good information. : ) I often worry about how the dogs will get taken care of when something happens with their handlers!

Unknown said...

great information!!

GOOSE said...

OK, so if I understand what you're saying Bert is, STOP!
Goose

KB said...

I'm stopping, stopping, stopping. Thanks Bert, you got the message across to me! I need to tell my nephews that one.

When our dog Astro was almost 16 years old, he'd still go on trail hikes behind our house with us. I was terrified that something would happen so that he wouldn't be able to walk back home. So, I only took him when the Runner was home, and I told the Runner exactly where we were hiking so he'd come find us if we took too long.

I had one friend who lives nearby who had to leave her old dog behind on the trails, rush home, and come back with an ATV to carry the dog home.

It's a scary thing because, no matter what, I could never carry one of our dogs. I also don't think that I would be emotionally able to leave my dog behind to go get help so maybe I ought to carry Spot even on our little hikes behind our house... (cell phones don't work there - and I could sit there all day without seeing another hiker).

Kirsten (peacefuldog) said...

Great advice to keep everyone SAFE! Stop is a really good message for all of us in this crazy world we live in.

And I absolutely love those photos!

snoopy@snoopysdogblog said...

Hey Bert,

STOP and have a sit down, relax and wait to be rescued? Yep, I think I can handle that!

Your story about carrying the Dog reminds me when I was a puppy and Mum and the kids took me for a walk and decided to take a short cut through some 'brown bushes' - Dad had said never go through brown stuff, but hey - anyway I got all kinds stuck to my coat and feet and couldn't walk, Mum realised they couldn't get it all off there and Mum and Carly had to take turns to carry me back to the car - they were soooo hot and exhausted by the time they got back that I don't think they'll do that again - I was fine and got a nice grooming when we got home! They were so lucky I wasn't fully grown yet - Tee Hee

Have a fun day buddy,

Your pal Snoopy :)

Adien Crafts said...

Great advice, the temptation is to wander off and often go round in circles anyway and end up where you atarted but exhausted! This is such fandabidozee safety advice! Dex and Lou xxx

rottrover said...

Thanks, Bert! We're stopped on our couch right now. We promise we won't move!

-Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Makes sense to stop at a tree when you think about it. The more you wander, the more "losted" you will get!

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

OK... that makes REAL sense/scents to ME... I hope this one sinks in with the Peeps.. It is EXCELLENT advice... Hard to do... butt it is a MUST!!! STOP and STAY there!!! Keep your Special Tree Furend in sight at all times. I LIKE IT.
Can't wait fur MORE lessons!!!!

Unknown said...

Great Post! Particularly about Stopping!
And Carrying a BIG dog out! Wow Yous guys is in way better shape than us!
Kisses
Nellie

Dexter said...

Hey Bert! Great advice. I think maybe howling and yelling while you wait by your tree is also good.

As for the carry out. I don't think that would work with me, bug luckily, I am never far from home.

Slobbers,
Mango

Whisppy said...

STOP! Yes, this is really very very good advice as it is very natural to go wandering in an attempt to find the way out or the group. I can imagine myself singing to the tree. Poor tree. LOL.

Road Dog Tales said...

Tree huggers will love this post! That includes US :) Great post and we're still wondering about the blue bandanna! And that's a GREAT tip about trailnote from Shawnee! She knows lots of great hiking tricks, too! Thanks for sharing this awesome info, Bert.

The Road Dogs

Leslie said...

Hi Bert, This series is so important - thank you for doing it. We've been hiking for years and years but we're learning lots of new ideas here.

Oh, and the story about having to carry a 90 pound dog? That's part of why we chose Bella who shouldn't top out at any more than 60. At 110 pounds, my Lab Beau was too much for me to handle as I started to age (never mind him!)

Thanks again for a great series.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Oh how we are loving this series of posts!!! Another fantastic idea for our Mom to share with the little bipeds. Yes, STOP, makes the finding much easier. One time one of Mom's little cousins got separated from her family at the age of three on Misquamicut Beach, R.I., on a very busy Sunday beach day. When she was found, she was almost 1.5 miles down the beach. If only someone had taught her to stop, sit, and wait.

Great advice about how to carry an injured or tired dog. Maybe that is why the Momster only walks us within sight of other houses when she is alone:)

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Sophie said...

This is a really awesome series of posts. You should put them up on hiking/safety sites!

Ryker said...

Such good information you are sharing.
I saw a Bokeh in there!

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Bert, we totally understand. STOP. Ok got that. We would be scared without our mum, but we would STOP. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

Backcountry Brodie said...

OMD, Bert, you is making me famuss with all the menshuns on your bloggie. I is so blushing! And the STOP, yuppers, I can handle that. Mom always sayed if'n there be a problem, Lassie I is not coz I would not leave her to go fur help. Nope, I STOP rite there with mom.

Bailey Be Good! said...

I'm LOVING this series!! Thanks so much! :)

Woofs & hugs, <3

~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

KEY WEST COLLIES said...

Bowsers, that is quite a story about the fireman's carry.

Shane Kent Louis said...

Hey Bert, thanks for this post, I stop right now! Bert, I love hiking too with my mom, I hope we can go with you! Woof!


--------------------------It's all About Pet Fences | Dog Fence

The Daily Pip said...

Wow, another great post. I promise I will always remember this - STOP and WAIT. Thanks!

Your pal, Pip

Scooter said...

Hey Deputy Bert!
Wow, I'm so sorry I missed Blogging yesterday. I didn't want to miss your post though and I'm so glad I read this! Great advise and I'm sure most of us wouldn't think of that point. Great word...STOP! :)
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP

Lucy-Fur, as typed by Dr. Liz said...

We're a bit slow on catching up, but thanks for the answer to our question! Mom hopes it never comes to the point of the fireman carry, but you never know - a mis-step, or whatnot, and we could twist something important! (Although in all the hiking/trail running we've done, it's usually Mom who trips...) This is all fantastic information!

*kissey face*
-Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus

PeeEss: While Mango is the one and only RH, we are rather fond of your snooter, and don't think it's big at all!

Sagira said...

Hey...that is my brother Bokeh and beautiful niece Kena. :)

World of Animals, Inc said...

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post with us. The photos are all just so amazing and shows you all the love from human to animal and vice versa. Have a fantastic rest of your week.
World of Animals