Oddly enough, I don’t quite know what to write about! I’m not going to start daily updates of my work up here, so I almost feel like I’ve reached a standstill on my usual topics. Historically – except for my last entry – my blog has been about my adventures. Most days here are adventures in some way, but nothing I can go into terrible detail about like I generally do.

For some potentially entertaining reads, visit the Conservation Canines Facebook page to see some of the blogs I’ve written there. If you Like the page, I can guarantee you’ll get some cute pictures in your feed! I’ve listed my blogs in reverse chronological order below (most recent on top):

Why I love Waylon
An Unpredictable Day
Surveying at Last
Scouting in Alberta, eh

I don’t know if I mentioned it before, but almost all the CK9s are rescue dogs. Since they’re such high-energy dogs, owners typically find it too difficult to keep them out of trouble. The dogs want to play all the time; otherwise they easily get bored. How many families can actually afford to play with their dogs all the time? Not too many, based on all the dogs in shelters. Conservation Canines gives dogs with an extreme ball drive the chance to have their dream job: hiking outside and “searching” for their ball. How awesome is that?

To be honest, these dogs aren’t totally right in the head. Don’t get me wrong – they’re completely lovable, but they’re just a little too excited about toys.

Take Sadie, for instance. She is a special case, as she’s also particularly vocal about wanting to play. Up here in Alberta when she’s taken outside to “take a break”, the Kong toy gets left in the trailer. Sometimes it’s placed on the counter, sometimes on top of the fridge, sometimes on the couch, or just on the floor. Regardless of where it is, the instant Sadie is back inside and free from the leash, she either has the Kong in her mouth and is ready to play, or she’s sitting right in front of the out-of-reach Kong, just staring at it until someone grabs it for her. She remembers where we set it every single time. How’s that for being ball-crazed?

Sadie did retire from the program a few years ago, but things didn’t work out with search and rescue work or being returned to her previous owners. Somehow she ended up being dropped off at a shelter with a note saying she needed to be euthanized. She may have been hit by a car at some point, and she was also terribly overweight. Luckily the folks at CK-9s got that memo (after her microchip was checked) and Sadie was brought home to live happily with Liz and Tucker. Now she’s a back-up back-up dog for our work in Alberta.

We also have Sampson, a very sweet black lab who was born for this job. When everyone was at WFR training in Oregon, I decided to attempt a long run on the hills of Pack Forest with this easy going guy. I only learned it once we started running, but he’s a dream running buddy! He doesn’t pull or fall behind AND he seemed to want to run on the same surfaces as me. I kid you not, as soon as there was a softer section of road that I thought about moving to, he was already transitioning over!!

Sampson is about as mellow as they come when he’s living at the kennel in Pack. Honestly, there’s not a light on behind those eyes when he’s in there. His whole expression is rather deadpan, and he’ll pretty much do whatever you want. Why is he so great at this job full of play? He has a split personality. Show him a round object, and BAM! You’ve got super Sampson of brute stamina and strength! He’ll plow through anything in his way, and he gets excited about any round object, be it ball or otherwise. I’ve been told that he once got excited by a pumpkin. He may be #1 on our list of overworkers, which many of our dogs are since they just can’t wait for the next time to play ball.

The last dog I’ll highlight is one everyone has a soft spot for: Chester, the biggest player and lover out there. He and I are ginger buddies, so I have a little extra love for him. 😉 Anyone who meets Chester can see why he’s the traveling face of the program. Although he too is a rescue dog, he’s got a personality to woo anyone. Imagine a happy dog’s squirm as it moves toward its owner. Got it? Now magnify that by 10 and add a wagging tail, smiling face, full body wiggle, and regal run. Now you’ve got Chester! No matter who you are, he’s happy to see you. Once you’ve met him, your new purpose in life – should you choose to accept it, which you will – is to love him.










Somehow Chester was labelled as an aggressive dog when he was placed in a shelter. He does have altercations with a chicken and a cat in his history, but he’s as sweet as they come. At wildlife research-related conferences, he can charm everyone while Heath talks about the program. Chester’s personality seems perfect for life as a therapy dog; he’s just so happy to see everyone and will cuddle until he’s blue in the face. And to top it all off, he has a lionesque stance as he gazes across the horizon at his domain. The curve of his tail and the arch of his back just project a lion’s regality.

Way. too. cute.

I could go on about our dogs, but there’s probably more to life than just gushing on how awesome dogs are. My point is that the CK-9 program does wonders for some unfortunate dogs that end up in shelters. There have been times when a dog has been hours away from euthanasia when Heath rushes in, checks out his or her ball drive, and leaves with the dog. Talk about close calls! Unfortunately the program isn’t large enough to save more dogs from euthanasia, but at least it gives a few dogs another shot at life with love and plenty of play. That play time even ultimately helps researchers protect wildlife. Really, does a job get much better than that?

(If you’d like to help out the program by making a tax deductible $15 donation, you’ll not only help us rescue more dogs who can then go help protect wildlife and wild lands, but you’ll also get a desk calendar with pictures from our pooches on projects from the previous year! Email Conservationcanine@gmail.com to order one.)

Thanks to Canyon for the pictures of Sadie and Chester, as well as to Caleb for the pictures of Sampson!