Top of Virginia Search and Rescue
TOVSAR Mourns the Passing of Bernie
July 11, 1995 - September 15, 2003
Bernie, whose full name was CH Acadian's Top Job, MT, died today at the age of eight. Bernie and his handler, Mike Andrews, joined TOVSAR in the fall of 2003. Bernie was certified by Virginia Bloodhound SAR in both wilderness and urban SAR, and had responded to six searches with TOVSAR.
Bernie was a fast-moving dog that kept us all on our toes on the trail.
Mike's wife, Cindy, is also a bloodhound handler, and works with Emma, also eight. They also joined TOVSAR last fall. Mike and Cindy have been training two "puppies", Nathan and Zack, both 140+ pound two year old bloodhounds, for the past several months.
Cindy says:
"We have been owned by bloodhounds for just over 15 yrs. since 1988 in pet, show & trailing disciplines & all have their unique personalities. Bernie is (I can't make myself say 'was' just yet) a prime example of the well-rounded bloodhound. A beauty to behold in the show ring as an AKC Champion, a talented mantrailer w/a heart for the find,
earning his Mantrailing title (MT) through the ABC (American Bloodhound Club), as well as a member of our personal family here at Second Creek Bloodhounds.
"We would like to thank the entire membership force of TOVSAR for welcoming us & our hounds into your 'family'. You have been so very supportive as we emerged into the world of active SAR w/our older hounds, as well as in bringing up new & aspiring mantrailers in training.
"In keeping w/the VBSAR motto of "training to serve & protect", we look forward to continuing to provide TOVSAR w/quality bloodhound resources in an effort to maintain the integrity of this organization through
its specialty units."