Handler vs K9 by Officer Chris Beltz

Hey Y'all !

This is my first attempt at writing a blog post, so please bear with me. 

First off, give you a brief history of myself. Been Employed as a Deputy with the same Dept. since 1999. Also, have been K9 Deputy for same Dept. since 2000. During that time period I've had the pleasure to work with 3 Awesome K9s. Well they were awesome to me. 

Rocket, my first K9 was a Female Chocolate Lab certified in Narcotics and Tracking. She was retired to me in 2008 and passed in 2011, a fat happy farm dog . She was 13 when she passed. 

"Alle", my 2nd partner, also Female was a Belgium Malinois also Certified in Narcotics and Tracking, took Rockets place in 2008 and I lost her on duty in 2012 on Thanksgiving night.

"Kleio", AKA "Hell Bitch" is my 3rd an current partner, also Female Belgium Malinois Certified in Narcotics, Tracking and Handler Protection. 

Well now that I've brought you up to speed on me an my partners I'd like to share an experience or two with y’all.

That is if you’re interested ?

Like to take you back a few years and let you know how us Handlers rate in the Dept.

My first partner Rocket an myself where dispatched to a man with a gun call. Of course, being as status quo. We're on the other side of the County. So, we pull the wick back on 2003 Crown Vic light up the rotatars an we're running hot. We're located in BFE so not much traffic at 0315 but still have to be seen! Also, just to paint a picture in your mind, out here in BFE, not much except Farm ground an pasture. 

Well we're sailing 120 plus oh by the way just so y'all know, people aren't the only thing that rubber neck Cherries an Blueberries in the middle of the night. Seems deer come out to see the light show too. Well Bambi's Mom jumps out of the Corn field right in the middle of our lane of traffic. I jam the brakes an swerve to the left being deer traveling left to right I got it made right? Wrong, deer does a u turn right back in front of us ? Well smoked the deer at 100 plus! Let me tell ya, airbags suck !! Bambi's Mom dead center she rolls up the hood over the roof an off the trunk all the while taking the light bar plus all antennas off our vehicle. Hood is ran thru windshield an stops at steering wheel engine is sitting under dash in cabin with us. Smoke an powder fills inside of car an can't see no electricity so can't roll windows down an can't breathe. I'm freaking out worried about Rocket who was asleep in her kennel prior to impact. Finally get coasted to a stop upright an on all 4s I bail out an pop Rockets door expecting I don't know what. Well Rocket looks at me yawns an unloads. I give her a quick check over to make sure she's ok! She is fine, now comes the fun part! Finding my cell phone! Remember engine under dash an guess where my radios where located. Well finally find my phone an make the dreaded call to Boss. 

It went like this. Boss yeah Boss not gonna make it to the call, good you’re already there fantastic! Everything ok?  All good?  great!  Oh yeah, reason I'm not going to be able to get there is I hit a deer! Only thing Boss asks is " Rocket" Alright?  You know I'm worried bout her! Yeah Boss she's fine yeah she good! You’re not worried bout me? Boss replied Hell No your talking to me on the phone besides I can replace you easier then I can Rocket! 

So just letting y'all know, Administration is like all you K9 fans? K9s are important to them! Us Handlers not so much.

Well hope y'all enjoyed a little trip down memory lane.

If y'all like, let me know, have more to share