Taylor the Trailing SAR K9
By Cheryl Gorewitz, Redding, California

Taylor is a 7-year-old female Golden I trained as a trailing SAR K9. I started Taylor's 'basic training' when she was a mere seven weeks old and she took to the training like a duck to water! Taylor was certified as a search ready trailing SAR K9 for the Shasta County Sheriff's SAR Dog Team at the age of 13 months. Her SAR career continues today as a valued member of the Tehama County Sheriff's SAR Dog Unit.

Taylor's most significant 'find' as a trailing dog came on December 17, 1996, when an inmate escaped from the Shasta County Jail. After law enforcement personnel secured a perimeter around the area where the escapee was last seen, Taylor and I were called upon to attempt to locate the felon. Without benefit of a scent article, and no confirmed track, Taylor and I set out, accompanied by two armed officers.

Utilizing both trailing and air scenting skills, Taylor initially tracked, then air scented the subject who had secreted himself in a grove of cedar trees and brush, laying face down on the ground in an attempt to avoid detection. Unfortunately for him, the nose knows! In less than ten minutes from the start of the trail to the finish, the escapee was once again in custody and secured in the back of a patrol vehicle. What an adrenaline rush that was!

I have a second up and coming SAR dog, one of Taylor's pup's from a breeding to Emberain Jelly's First Jam in 1999. When not working full-time or involved in SAR dog training, I'm out gathering up abandoned and unwanted Goldens as a volunteer for Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary.