K-9 Details - A Dogged Pursuit

MJ: My guest, Nancy Borylla is a dog lover, and very knowledgeable about K-9 police dogs. In our mystery Kat Out of the Bag local cop Jason Holmes and his dog and K-9 partner Hobbs have a thrilling role.

Katherine: I learned a lot about Hobbs, his dear personality, and also what skills Hobbs has in dire circumstances. In our sequel readers will also meet Jason's dog partner from his duty in the military. Nancy has some great dog stories to tell.

MJ: Nancy, super dog lover, tell us about yourself and when your love for dogs started.

Nancy:  I've been a dog lover all my life.  As a kid my first cousin was a dog named Snofoot.  We didn't get our family dog Whiskers until I was 12.  From that point on I've never been without a dog. When I was bouncing around trying to consider my future career, I took correspondence classes from a guard dog training school.  Through them I was referred to a local breeder from whom I got my first Doberman, Sultan. From there I got involved in obedience training and showing, rescue, serving on a local humane society board, and an animal control commission.  I've put 7 titles on 5 Dobermans over the years.

Katherine: Wow! Congratulations on such amazing team work and talent! And thank you for this lovely picture of yourself with your beloved dog Holly. You both look so happy and ready for your next adventure.

MJ: Taking time out to smell the flowers along the path of life. Beautiful.

Katherine: Nancy, you're a volunteer breed rep and co-rep Doberman and German Pinschers at the Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue. What does that entail? And can you tell us about some dogs you've met there and their personalities?

Nancy:  I'm actually taking a backseat these days.  I was the Doberman rep for several years off and on and placed many wonderful dogs in good new homes.  Most were just dogs that people got tired of, couldn't deal with the Doberman personality, lifestyle changes, etc.  But there have been a few that have totally broken my heart.  Jake was a large male who had been wandering around a neighborhood for three weeks before someone finally called animal control.  He was emaciated and could barely walk.  But he had the greatest temperament and found a great home with the mother of one of my co-reps. That's the type of case that makes one say the more I know people, the more I love my dog.

Katherine: I think our Bayside's finest Jason Holmes feels that way too. I've learned from him and his pawedner Hobbs that they do a lot of training together, including annual continuing education and exams they take and need to pass. Specific training exercises are important police work to prepare the partners both for dangerous encounters, but Hobbs thinks of these exercises as games. Can you tell us about your 4 legged friends on the police force and their partners? Can you tell us about your internship at your local police department?

Nancy: I was enrolled in ITT's school of criminal justice and for one of my classes I was able to intern at the local police station.  They already knew me as I'm on the police foundation that raises money for the department.  It wasn't very detailed work, but the others in the office were happy to show me what they each did and I really wanted to get a full time job there!  As for the K9s, my first major project on the foundation was selling stuffed police dogs.  We raised enough money to purchase Hobbs.  

Katherine: Our author has one of your stuffed K-9's that sits/stays in the corner of her writing desk in her studio! Now I know where it came from.

Nancy: I was graciously allowed to attend one of the K9 training sessions with Hobbs and Kira.  I was given the glove to wear and had I not let go I would have ended up on the floor!  Those dogs are STRONG! In training, when tracking a "subject", the dog is rewarded with lots of hugs and laughs by the subject.  So, yes, it's a bit like a game for them. You definitely need a dog with a stable temperament plus good obedience training.  It's one thing to attack, but you need to be able to "turn them off" as well.

Katherine:  Love seeing these dogs in action. Very intense. I've learned a lot about the tracking too. For example, I thought with our rainy weather in the Pacific Northwest that tracking would be difficult with puddles and such, but dead skin cells that are shed all the time actually can float on top of any water surface and so suspects can be tracked over water. Wind is the worst for dead cell tracking, as you can imagine that scatters the trail. Can you tell us some highlights about your own studies in the fascinating field of Criminology and Forensic Science?

Nancy: There is so much to learn in law enforcement.  You need a firm grasp and understanding of local, state and federal laws.  And there are many facets of the criminal justice system - police, detectives, forensic teams, corrections officers, etc. I did some papers on real life criminal situations, including OJ Simpson and the murder of prison guard Jamie Biendl.  There are so many factors involved in investigating crime scenes and suspects I don't think the general public fully understands or appreciates. After studying forensics, I used my new knowledge to delve into mysteries like the Titanic sinking and Egyptian pharoahs.  It's fascinating!

MJ: I really get into history and mystery. You make me want to know more, and I'd love to read those papers. When you're not researching and investigating, I think you savor the love and comfort between people and animals, with highly trained guide dogs and other helping animals?

Nancy: I have always been interested in Service Dogs.  One of my favorite books as a child was "Follow my Leader" about a German shepherd guide dog and his owner.  A friend was volunteering at the women's prison and through her I adopted two "paroled pets" from their program.  The pet program was developed for inmates to train service dogs for the disabled.  The dogs that don't qualify as service dogs are adopted out as pets.  It's a win/win/win situation - the dogs get out of shelters into good new homes, the inmates gain a marketable skill for when they are released and the new owners get the best dogs in the world.  This is actually the topic of the book I've been wanting to write for years!

MJ: My heart is warmed to hear about this vital program. Dogs to the rescue again, in so many ways. What a wonderful idea. You really must write that book. It would make a great read. Of course animals also have auras just like people do. Usually their auras contain 2 colors blending together close to the dog's body, although there's no limit to the number of colors. A shining and colorful aura reflects happiness. A fearful animal can show a cloudiness with a mix of grays and browns. Do you have advice for keeping a dog's aura shining, and a dog happy?

Nancy: Dogs need structure.  They are pack animals and that pack has a hierarchy whether it's other canines or humans.  It's important that an adult be the alpha leader in a human family with a dog.  For new owners I stress the No Free Lunch program immediately.  Leaders eat first.  Leaders go through doorways first.  So feed the dog last. Make them wait at the door.  Keep them off furniture to reinforce their subordinate position in your home.  That's not to say you can't sleep with your dog!  But until they get the idea that they have to be invited up, keep them off. Working dogs need a job to do.  There are so many options today of activities to do with your dog - nose work, agility, barn hunt, lure coursing,tracking.  Dogs are social animals and want to be with their pack, canine or human.  Make sure you spend lots of quality time with your pet and praise and treat for a job well done.

Katherine: Dogs and people all deserve quality time together. Dogs have some toys and treats and other essentials that are needed for them when they are away from home. Do you have a type of bag you prefer to carry for these things?

Nancy: I don't really have a bag for toys and treats, but they are always available. My dogs have mostly gone on vacations with me, except cruises!  Now that I'm retired and down to only one dog, she gets all of my attention and goes with me pretty much everywhere.

Katherine: Dogged travelers! Glad to hear that they pack light. I have an aversion to seeing small dogs carried in my designer purses. Otherwise, I suppose purse dogs can be fun, and especially that's handy if the dog tires easily. What are your thoughts about purse dogs?

Nancy: Personally I think it's silly.  Too many people treat their dogs like little toys instead of dogs and that can cause a lot of problems.  They are not little humans in dog suits!  I don't want to criticize anyone for having a purse dog.  It's just not my thing.  And I really don't think they belong in grocery stores, etc. 

MJ: You've blown my mind on the love of dogs, and understanding them better. Thanks so much for talking with us today, Nancy. You're so inspiring I want to help a shelter dog, and volunteer or donate some dollars to help.

Katherine: That would get some tails wagging.

Sending our author back to her studio now.
Get back to work on our sequel!