Marc and Anax: Will Dark Pass Their 2nd Certification?
This is Part VII of this story. You may wish to skip back to Part I to start reading this dramatic story from the beginning.
Beads of warm perspiration rolled from the underarms of United States Army Specialist Marc Whittaker, disappearing somewhere in his multiple layers of clothing. His breath, thick and cloudlike, disappeared quickly into the murky sky behind him.
Good, thought the seasoned military dog handler. He liked it when the breeze was blowing towards him. That meant the scent was also blowing his way. This was a good way to start his second certification with his new dog, Military Working Dog Dark.
His best pal, Military Working Dog Anax, was still up in Heidelberg. They were waiting for the adoption paperwork to go through so Marc could adopt the medically retired dog.
He brought his thoughts back to Dark. He had failed in his first certification with Dark. And that was the first certification he had failed in his K9 career. But that was in the past. Today, in Grafenwoehr, Germany, he would write a new chapter in his dog career. He was going to certify with Dark.
Dark had tested Marc’s patience and rocked his confidence, but he veteran dog handler from Livingston, Texas wasn’t defeated. His kennel back in Heidelberg had rallied around Marc and assisted him in fixing Dark’s fringing (giving a final response as soon as he got in the odor cone, before he had worked the odor to its source) and false sitting problems (sitting somewhere other than on the source of the odor).
Staff Sergeant Dick “Alson” Lee particularly took an interest in “righting” Dark. Staff Sergeant Lee was a mentor and close friend of Marc’s. Lee was training with his own dog, MWD Fibi, for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Marc and Lee spent countless hours training together.
Lee was an experienced dog handler and a respected leader within the unit. With him on Team Marc and Dark, there would be no stopping them during this second certification.
Mark leaned over, released Dark from his leash, and commanded, “Seek.”
Dark surged forward. His tail wagged slowly, his nose was about eight inches from the ground, and he searched the road in a tight pattern.
Minutes later Marc watched as Dark’s forward movement halted suddenly.
Marc smiled and a shiver of excitement went up his spine. He knew Dark was in the odor cone and now just needed to take the odor to source.
Dark’s tail wagged slightly, his headed swiveled left and right as his nostrils flared quickly as he traced the source of the airborne scent of narcotics.
Dark stopped, stared at a spot on the ground, and stood like a statue.
Marc looked over at the certifying official, Sergeant First Class Hillis, who nodded.
Yes, he is on it. Finally. Marc was beside himself as he dug in his pocket, feeling for his black rubber Kong to reward Dark.
“Why isn’t your dog sitting, Whittaker?”
Sit? Dark always stopped and stared. He never sat. This was just how he responded. Marc stared back at Hillis and shrugged his shoulders, not sure how to respond. His dog was on odor. What was the issue?
“He always stops and stares, even though his record says SIT. We didn’t want to undo everything that we had fixed by making him sit because he leaves odor in a heartbeat.”
If this was an issue why hadn’t his chain of command recognized it?
Why hadn’t Hillis mentioned it in the last certification? Dark had stopped and stared there as well.
It didn’t matter, though, because he couldn’t fix everything with Dark in such a short period of time. The most important part was Dark was on odor. Who cares if he sat, laid down, or stood—Dark found the narcotics!
Marc had a bad feeling that, now Hillis was focusing on the sitting issue, he was in trouble.
He was right.
Marc and Dark lasted about half way through the certification before he and Dark were officially failed and booted from certification.
He had just failed his second certification. Was there any hope?
“Listen, Whittaker. You know what you are doing, but we need to get your dog online. I want you to spend the rest of the week with Staff Sergeant Ellis. He is trained in Clear Signal Training and can help you get Dark corrected.”
He had heard of Clear Signal Training, but when he went through dog school at Lackland Airbase, they trained on compulsion training. Compulsion training is based on positive punishment. Maybe Dark wasn’t such a knucklehead. Maybe he just spoke a different dog training language.
More training was good with Marc. He didn’t want to go back to his unit at Heidelberg as a failure. But more importantly he wanted to understand why he had failed and how he could fix it.
Marc spent two days with Ellis training on clear signal training meaning dogs don’t always get a physical reward. And the timing of that physical reward isn’t so critical. The verbal reward becomes as effective for the dog as a tangible reward.
These were two of the most informative dog training days hMarc had ever had and his hopes soared. Ellis gave Marc the tools and knowledge to be successful.
Marc left Grafenwoehr disappointed that he failed but determined to take what he learned, focus his training over the next month, and rock the next certification. He was down, but he wasn’t out.
Every day for the next month Marc spent hours upon hours of training with Dark. He wasn’t just ready for the upcoming certification. No, Marc was excited for the event.
Marc was excited until the unthinkable happened.
What happened next would rock him to his core and change the course of his life forever.
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28 comments on “Marc and Anax: Will Dark Pass Their 2nd Certification?”
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Jani Muhlestein says: I officially hate you. You are evil, and must be destroyed. But not until you finish the damn story!
Seriously, though, have you considered a book of these stories? Or a podcast? Because I’d pay .99 per week. If you didn’t always stop at the most critical place.
But at least you gave us some cute pictures to go with things. Almost makes it worth your horrible timing to see those cute pups. And Anax! He’s so cute! Also, how did a Kong last long enough for somebody to take a picture? I don’t think that the snow dog was enough to scare off the real ones.
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Kevin Hanrahan says:
Hi Jani. I promise I won’t keep you in suspense for too long. I will write the next piece this week.
I have brainstormed how to monetize the blog to cover costs. (Charging for content, advertising, donations, etc, adding an Amazon shopping site) It cost money to run that is for sure.
But for right now I will hold what I have. I refuse to sell out to BS advertising and cheapen the site. I also won’t sacrifice the pact I have with my subscribers when they trust me with their email address.
In the future I hope the site will pay for itself. I’ll keep writing on it for nothing because I love it!
-
Let me see what I can find out. I have people who do this sort of stuff in my group of extended friends.
Oh, and G. wanted to know who your agent was.
j
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Thanks Jani
My agent is Victoria Skurnick at the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency
-
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You got it. I’ll see what she says.
Joyce McCarty says: Cliff hanger! By the way whatever happened to Gabe and the Cookies? Did I miss the next installment? Love your stories about Military dogs, please keep them coming. I have to know what happened to Marc and Dark.
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I know Joyce. I didn’t intend to stop it here but then it just sort of happened….. so I left it that way!
Gabe got really busy with running and winning the AHA Hero Dog. I just haven’t been able to catch up with him to learn more of his story. He is very busy representing the military working dog community and I couldn’t be more proud of him.
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Yeah Gabe is one of my favorites, I voted for him for the Hero Dog. Love Chuck and Gabe. I follow his page, quite a character and they are so much Heroes!
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Great storytelling, Kevin!
I jumped into the middle and still got hooked in a couple of sentences. Now I have to go back and read the first six. You definitely need to release a book, preferable on Kindle so I can buy and read it here in Mexico.
But the cliff hanger?? Jeesh. All I can say is, you’d better post the next episode soon!
Carole
Kevin Hanrahan says: Thanks Carole. I will hopefully land that publishing deal this Spring. Fingers crossed everyone!
Patricia Stidham-Burns says: Kevin…really? You’re going to do this to us AGAIN!!!??? You are cruel beyond words! I have been waiting and waiting for part VII and you leave us with the BIGGEST cliff hanger EVER!? Can’t wait to read the next story about Anax, Marc, and Dark…Keep fighting for those Therapy Dogs! I will fight right along with you!
-
You will notice that I informed him that he is evil and must be destroyed. But only after he finishes the stupid story!
Lynda says: As always, thank you for serving us. But come on..lol..Leaving us in suspense is hard, is this on purpose? How long do we wait for the rest of the story? Hurry up lol
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Sorry! Won’t leave you hanging too long. I talked to Marc at lunch today for the next part of his story.
The last part!
I’m really enjoying your blog posts, and particularly this narrative. It’s quite riveting, and well done. I have recently become more aware of the amazing stories of MWD and their handlers and trainers (I’ve read Soldier Dogs and Sargent Rex), and your insight adds to my interest. Keep up the good work (and yes, you should get paid *something* somehow, but your ethics re: ads are commendable).
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Hi Rebecca. Thank you! I love Soldier Dogs and have Sergeant Rex in my que.
I’ll figure out something that won’t be cumbersome or intrusive…..for now I’m not changing a thing!
Kevin I hope this is not one where Dark dies! I hope you don’t leave us hanging for too long!
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I promise you that it is not the ending Liz.
Christine Wickline says: I have been enjoying your work!
I, too, think a book should be in your, very near, future. Please?
Kevin Hanrahan says: Hi Christine. I am actually working on editing my second novel now. The first is in the publishing process……which will take some time.
Thanks so much for your encouragement!
Jani Muhlestein says: Um…I hate to point it out, but while videos are totally cool, there is nothing regarding a certain doggy involved here. *tap, tap, tap*. We’re waiting *sing-song voice*.
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I know, I know Jani/ Michelle. the next piece is written and inbound soon. But I have some important stuff to post first that has been sitting and waiting patiently for it’s turn!
michelle says: OH GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!! YOU LEAVE US IN SUSPENSE AGAIN???? you are just an evil, cruel man.
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The next piece is almost ready…… I swear!
Keith Baron says: Great story and photographs about Marc,Anex and Dark,I look forward to see what happens next
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Thanks Keith….. this story means a lot to me. It was the first storyline I began writing about.
Kevin,
Hmm to be continued I like that… Dark looks happy and like he is smiling with his sloppy long tongue too funny. I love these dog pictures and military human friends lol now there is a twist of a writing angle. I like the ups an downs of your blogs having failed and stories of rising up. Animals are grand and sometimes humans can learn the most humane things from them. I adore the bonding you show through your post of Man/woman and dogs:). PS it is odd weather out here. Snowing in Arizona so crazy. Hence I also like the snow men thumbs up pictures as usual.
Sincerely,
Adriana Johnson
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Thanks Adriana….just so you know…these pictures are still of Anax. Marc refuses to take any pictures of Dark until he certifies with him. It is a superstition of his and I want to respect it.
I know right…a dog snowman…classic!
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I officially hate you. You are evil, and must be destroyed. But not until you finish the damn story!
Seriously, though, have you considered a book of these stories? Or a podcast? Because I’d pay .99 per week. If you didn’t always stop at the most critical place.
But at least you gave us some cute pictures to go with things. Almost makes it worth your horrible timing to see those cute pups. And Anax! He’s so cute! Also, how did a Kong last long enough for somebody to take a picture? I don’t think that the snow dog was enough to scare off the real ones.
Hi Jani. I promise I won’t keep you in suspense for too long. I will write the next piece this week.
I have brainstormed how to monetize the blog to cover costs. (Charging for content, advertising, donations, etc, adding an Amazon shopping site) It cost money to run that is for sure.
But for right now I will hold what I have. I refuse to sell out to BS advertising and cheapen the site. I also won’t sacrifice the pact I have with my subscribers when they trust me with their email address.
In the future I hope the site will pay for itself. I’ll keep writing on it for nothing because I love it!
Let me see what I can find out. I have people who do this sort of stuff in my group of extended friends.
Oh, and G. wanted to know who your agent was.
j
Thanks Jani
My agent is Victoria Skurnick at the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency
You got it. I’ll see what she says.
Cliff hanger! By the way whatever happened to Gabe and the Cookies? Did I miss the next installment? Love your stories about Military dogs, please keep them coming. I have to know what happened to Marc and Dark.
I know Joyce. I didn’t intend to stop it here but then it just sort of happened….. so I left it that way!
Gabe got really busy with running and winning the AHA Hero Dog. I just haven’t been able to catch up with him to learn more of his story. He is very busy representing the military working dog community and I couldn’t be more proud of him.
Yeah Gabe is one of my favorites, I voted for him for the Hero Dog. Love Chuck and Gabe. I follow his page, quite a character and they are so much Heroes!
Great storytelling, Kevin!
I jumped into the middle and still got hooked in a couple of sentences. Now I have to go back and read the first six. You definitely need to release a book, preferable on Kindle so I can buy and read it here in Mexico.
But the cliff hanger?? Jeesh. All I can say is, you’d better post the next episode soon!
Carole
Thanks Carole. I will hopefully land that publishing deal this Spring. Fingers crossed everyone!
Kevin…really? You’re going to do this to us AGAIN!!!??? You are cruel beyond words! I have been waiting and waiting for part VII and you leave us with the BIGGEST cliff hanger EVER!? Can’t wait to read the next story about Anax, Marc, and Dark…Keep fighting for those Therapy Dogs! I will fight right along with you!
You will notice that I informed him that he is evil and must be destroyed. But only after he finishes the stupid story!
As always, thank you for serving us. But come on..lol..Leaving us in suspense is hard, is this on purpose? How long do we wait for the rest of the story? Hurry up lol
Sorry! Won’t leave you hanging too long. I talked to Marc at lunch today for the next part of his story.
The last part!
I’m really enjoying your blog posts, and particularly this narrative. It’s quite riveting, and well done. I have recently become more aware of the amazing stories of MWD and their handlers and trainers (I’ve read Soldier Dogs and Sargent Rex), and your insight adds to my interest. Keep up the good work (and yes, you should get paid *something* somehow, but your ethics re: ads are commendable).
Hi Rebecca. Thank you! I love Soldier Dogs and have Sergeant Rex in my que.
I’ll figure out something that won’t be cumbersome or intrusive…..for now I’m not changing a thing!
Kevin I hope this is not one where Dark dies! I hope you don’t leave us hanging for too long!
I promise you that it is not the ending Liz.
I have been enjoying your work!
I, too, think a book should be in your, very near, future. Please?
Hi Christine. I am actually working on editing my second novel now. The first is in the publishing process……which will take some time.
Thanks so much for your encouragement!
Um…I hate to point it out, but while videos are totally cool, there is nothing regarding a certain doggy involved here. *tap, tap, tap*. We’re waiting *sing-song voice*.
I know, I know Jani/ Michelle. the next piece is written and inbound soon. But I have some important stuff to post first that has been sitting and waiting patiently for it’s turn!
OH GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!! YOU LEAVE US IN SUSPENSE AGAIN???? you are just an evil, cruel man.
The next piece is almost ready…… I swear!
Great story and photographs about Marc,Anex and Dark,I look forward to see what happens next
Thanks Keith….. this story means a lot to me. It was the first storyline I began writing about.
Kevin,
Hmm to be continued I like that… Dark looks happy and like he is smiling with his sloppy long tongue too funny. I love these dog pictures and military human friends lol now there is a twist of a writing angle. I like the ups an downs of your blogs having failed and stories of rising up. Animals are grand and sometimes humans can learn the most humane things from them. I adore the bonding you show through your post of Man/woman and dogs:). PS it is odd weather out here. Snowing in Arizona so crazy. Hence I also like the snow men thumbs up pictures as usual.
Sincerely,
Adriana Johnson
Thanks Adriana….just so you know…these pictures are still of Anax. Marc refuses to take any pictures of Dark until he certifies with him. It is a superstition of his and I want to respect it.
I know right…a dog snowman…classic!