I grew up with the adage – "boys and their dogs." This was reinforced every Sunday evening by Timmy and Lassie, slotted somewhere between Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and the Wonderful World of Disney. I think that was the order, but not 100% sure. What I am sure of though was that every episode of Lassie never failed to produce a heart-wrenching scenario that left me in tears by the end of the show – even though I knew Lassie and Timmy would live to bring me another show the next Sunday! Finally, I had enough and began to cull the ever-problematic duo from my Sunday-evening viewing. How many times could Lassie get lost or be ready to risk her life to save Timmy from a wild animal or a mine shaft? Way too much for this girl! There was also Old Yeller and Travis – whose troubles I am not even going to delve into and more recently, the doomed Edgar Sawtelle and his trusty dog Almondine.

Always the boys and their dogs! Well, not where I live. It seems that the phrase needs to be tweaked. My observations indicate that there needs to be a change to "Girls and their Dogs" – and that is what I plan to feature in the upcoming issues of the Eccentric. My stories will be about girls and their dogs. Some of the girls and dogs you will know, others you will meet and get to know. Some stories will be long, some short and on occasion a photo might tell the story.

With the whistle between her teeth, Jennifer gives the command for Jade to begin her search, "such!" (go find in German). Jade, a 60 -- pound German Shepherd begins her job. Working just under 2 acres, intent on finding her source, Jade moves about -- first to the perimeter, sniffing nose up around the back of the building and then to the side of it. Out of sight momentarily, Jennifer calls Jade; the dog responds quickly, changes direction and continues to investigate for the human remains that have been hidden on the property. Jade moves toward a bush surrounded by scrub. Jade sniffs, becomes still, then barks (the find). Jade continues to bark until Jennifer tosses a ball in Jade's direction. The ball is the reward for a job well done. Jade has located the placenta (source) hidden prior to the training exercise. After a couple of ball tosses, Jennifer takes the ball, hides it behind her back and restarts her dog -- the signal that lets Jade know she's back on the clock. Jade roams over to an open area – moving back and forth -- circling and sniffing the air in front of and around her. Jade is seeking a unique scent, a scent that is different from Jennifer or any other person in the vicinity. A Human Remains Detection (HRD) dog, aka cadaver dog, is not looking for a certain scent, but a different scent. (Unlike a tracking dog, Jade does not need an article of clothing or the beginning of a trail to perform her duties. She works off lead, air scenting.) Jade sniffs more intently and then barks out that she has again detected remains -- in this instance teeth. Jennifer chucks the ball in Jade's direction and play commences. All of this takes slightly less than three minutes.

Most training material for HRD dogs is human remains. There is pseudo scent; however, most handlers prefer to use the real thing. No one's blood or loose tooth, in Jennifer's household, goes to waste. One never knows when a cloth with blood or a tooth, grabbed from the clutches of the tooth fairy, might be needed for a training mission. Western Carolina Human Identification Laboratory maintains a research facility that studies decomposition in human remains and on occasion, allows training of HRD canines. It's not always easy for a girl to come up with spare body parts.

Jennifer Breeden, a slender, fit woman of 33, is the handler, trainer, mother and companion of Jade, now four years old, as well as Jade's "brother" eight – month-- old Hunter – also a German Shepherd. Hunter is currently in training. It is anticipated that Hunter will obtain his Human Remains Detection certification within the year.

Jade began her training at nine weeks old. It took approximately two years for Jade to become a Certified Search and Rescue Canine. When Jade began her training all of VSRDA's (Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association) rescue dogs had to become certified in "live-find" training before specializing in HRD or Water Rescue and Recovery. Jennifer changed the direction of Jade's job from live search to HRD search after she noticed Jade was becoming bored and losing her focus. Thriving in HRD Search, both Jade and Jennifer are happy; Jennifer initially wanted to just train cadaver canines. The rules now allow the handler to choose the discipline that best suits the dog, as well as the handler. HRD is not for everyone – for obvious reasons.

In 2013 Jade and Jennifer participated in 16 calls. All calls -- searches -- are initiated directly through Law Enforcement and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). Canine units working on search and rescue or HRD searches do not look for lost pets -- only missing or deceased persons.

Jennifer speaks proudly of the first case Jade solved. Jade located the remains of a missing person whom law enforcement believed had been murdered. Jennifer is unable to give specific information since the case may still be ongoing. However, Jennifer stated that, "This is what we train for. We want to give families of missing loved ones answers and closure."

Live -- find canines certify with VSRDA searching multiple areas up to 160 acres. Requirements to become a certified HRD canine include above ground, buried, and urban area search, which can include buildings and vehicles.

A Search and Rescue Dog is not created overnight. Success comes after long hours of training which can challenge the dedication and perseverance of both the dog and the handler. Handlers with The Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association look for animals that are "outgoing, independent, playful with strangers, confident, sociable, able to maintain concentration, obedient and curious." Most likely the Association is looking for many of these attributes in the handler too!

Once the dog and handler receive the Certification, the training does not cease. Jennifer and Jade work an eight-hour day every Sunday (usually participating in a controlled search activity through the VSRDA), as well as several hours of "home training" every other day throughout the week. To Jennifer, this is a labor of love. All Search and Rescue handlers feel the same way -- their work is strictly voluntary. There is no compensation for the service the dog and handler team provide. Handlers pay for their own transportation and gas to and from training and search sites. On occasion, the teams are called out of state to provide assistance. A few of the VSRDA members, who are also members of the FEMA Virginia Task Force 1, participated in the search and recovery of the bodies of victims in the recent Washington State mudslide disaster. (On these occasions, there is usually compensation to cover lodging and meals.) Real--time search and rescue doesn't just occur on the weekends. Handlers need to take off from their jobs -- using vacation or unpaid leave to answer the call. All equipment (harnesses, leads, crates), as well as the cost of the dog and the dog's training and vet bills are borne by the owner. In order to help defray costs, the VSRDA holds fundraisers and accepts donations to go toward an Emergency Veterinary Fund, specialized training, equipment and education. So if someone asks you to purchase a VSRDA Calendar, please do. Check out September in this year's calendar - you will see a picture of Jennifer and Jade sharing a smooch.