Sheriff's Search Dog Refuses to Retire
By Jo Moreland, North County Times Staff Writer, December 23, 2002

    
CARLSBAD ---- Scout's silky curls are almost white now, but the Golden Retriever still goes to work every day. The 14-year-old dog, mostly deaf now, doesn't understand that his career as a San Diego County Sheriff's Department search and rescue dog ended early last fall when he received his official retirement plaque.
    
Every weekday morning Scout blocks the door to the garage at Lynn Diamond's house until she puts him in her sport-utility vehicle, where he spends his day napping in the employees' parking lot while Diamond works at the Carlsbad Police Department.
    
"This is all he does," the police spokeswoman said earlier this month, stroking Scout's head. "There's that hope, that hope (that a call will come). Or it may be just his work ethic. He's got a better work ethic than a lot of people."
    
In fact, Scout responded with Diamond to about 200 searches for law enforcement agencies throughout California as one of the state's Office of Emergency Services search-and-rescue dogs certified through the California Rescue Dog Association. Out of about 80 such canines, he was the only dog certified for all air scent work ---- wilderness, cadaver, water, disaster and avalanche.
    
Scout had more than 19 finds, including six cases of scattered human remains, a half dozen drowning victims at depths up to 80 feet, two buried victims, an avalanche victim, cadaver scent on evidence, a missing hiker and one live find.
    
"His nickname is 'The Professor,'" Diamond said. "He's very thorough, very meticulous. He's a very serious dog."
    
Diamond had different career plans for Scout when she got him from a Los Angeles breeder. Named for the horse that Tonto rode in the Lone Ranger western tales, the 10-week-old puppy was originally going to be a show dog. "Neither one of us really liked it," Diamond said. "We were really cut out for getting dirty and tramping around."
    
Search and rescue work allowed her to be outdoors with Scout and travel. Scout started training when he was a year old and his natural instincts took over. One of two dogs that have worked longest for the state, Scout still provides public relations services for the Humane Society and the Scouts.
    
"He went to search dog training on Sunday," Diamond said. "We still go to training every week. He helps some of the new dogs. Still to this day his nose is so good."
    
Diamond uses hand signals often now to communicate with Scout because of his failing hearing, but her long-time partner is still interested in what's happening and ready for fresh fruit treats. They're kept near his water and white, stuffed-toy dog in the SUV. "He just waits for people hopefully to come by and pet him," Diamond said. "And he does some serious heavy duty sleeping. Whatever makes him happy."


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