Miss
July 2003 - Bonnie
Their
Bonnie Spies Over The Ocean
The Pet of the Month for July is Bonnie, a Yellow Labrador Retriever
who is a working dog. Bonnie works a 40-hour week with her owner,
Mark Spillane at the US Coast Guard Station in Hobucken.
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Bonnie
shows off her badge
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When he
brought her home from a New Bern breeder 4 years ago, Mark says
he thought of her as a house pet. But when he started playing
with her, he says, he noticed that she had a “tremendous
amount of prey and hunt drive. Once she put into her mind that
she wanted something, she would not get distracted or lose interest.”
Mark, who is a Chief Petty Officer with the Coast Guard, recognized
a talent. And so when Bonnie was just four months old, she began
full-time training as a Narcotics Detector Dog. Then in March
of 2000 -- at the age of only 8 months -- Bonnie was certified
with the US Police Canine Association for Narcotic Detection.
She was one of the youngest drug dogs certified in the country.
She is trained to detect marijuana, hashish, cocaine, crack
and heroin.
Prey Drive Won’t Quit
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Bonnie
lets Mark ride with her on official duties
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That “prey
drive” Mark noticed early on is still very strong. “When
she is looking for drugs she will not quit. I have to force
her away for the search.”
Bonnie has not made many big catches, Mark says, but adds that
“one of particular interest was when she found 6 grams
of marijuana on a boat coming from Florida bound for New Jersey.
The operator was a 65-year old man traveling with a friend of
his.”
So, what’s in it for Bonnie when she makes these finds?
Mark says that when she finds drugs, she is rewarded “with
a rolled up white hand towel which she plays ‘tug-o-war’
with”. Mark, her handler, plays at the other end.
Forty Hour Week, Sometimes More
Bonnie is, in Coast Guard terms, “on stand” from
8 to 4, Monday through Friday at the Coast Guard station in
Hobucken. She also works weekends during special operations,
Mark says “or when law enforcement intelligence warrants.”
The Guest as Searcher
Bonnie apparently doesn’t draw a line between work and
play. This is clear when Mark and his wife Tracie pay visits
to friends and family. “For the first 20 or 30 minutes
all Bonnie wants to do is search the house,” Mark says.
“After a good intensive search I'll tell her its O.K and
then she will relax.” (And so, presumably, can friends
and family….)
Mark says that Bonnie will most likely retire when he retires
from the Coast Guard in four years. When not in Hobucken, she
spend her time at home in Stonewall with Mark, Tracie, another
Labrador, “Penny” and three house cats. (No word
on the catnip intake with a drug detecting dog in the house.)
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In addition
to being certified with the US Police Canine Association, Bonnie
is also certified as a Narcotics Detection Dog with the US Coast
Guard, the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association and the
state of New Jersey’s Attorney General.
Why the AG of NJ? We were wondering if perhaps the NJAG had
Hobucken confused with Hoboken, but Mark Spillane explained
that the Coast Guard first started training drug dogs in New
Jersey as part of a drug task force in the Newark area. The
trainer involved in that program was transferred to Hobucken,
NC in 1999, just in time to train Bonnie who celebrated her
fourth birthday this month. The NJ credentials came through
that channel.
Bonnie and Mosquitoes?
Finally, the question likely on many a Pamlico County mind…
how does Bonnie deal with the mosquitoes which are legendary
in Hobucken? “She is pretty lucky,” says Mark Spillane,
“ Her kennel is in my office, next to my desk.”
Bonnie Bio
Turn Ons: searching for illegal drugs, riding
in parades, sleeping in bed, climbing on outdoor playground
equipment, jumping into Goose Creek off the Coast Guard dock,
going to see Doctor Moore for a check up.
Turn Offs: drug smugglers, getting sprayed
with a garden hose, boating in rough weather, having to stay
home alone, having to sit for more than 2 minutes, getting shots
from Doctor Moore.
Favorite Meal: Ice Cubes, Purina One Lamb &
Rice,
Last book read: Airborne Scent Tracking for
K-9's
Celebrity
Pet Most Resembles: Woody Allen
What Pet Likes Best About Pamlico County: being
able to swim at the little beach at the end of Ragan Rd.
Change Pet Doesn't Like in Oriental: People
are starting to drive faster and faster yet still going nowhere.
Previous Pet Of The Month Winners
Miss April 2003
- Kayla
Miss February
2003 - Zelda
Mr December
2002 - Orville
Mrs/Misses November 2002 - The Ducks
Mr October 2002 - Bear
Miss September 2002 - Lucy
Miss August 2002 - Sally
Know a pet
that is a standout? Send in some details & photo to pet@towndock.net.
Tell us why that pet deserves our coveted Pet of the Month Prize
Package --- accolades, a pat on the head (snakes excluded) and
a box of Milk Bones ( or snack suitable for the species).
Animals
caught near the HarborCam attempting to suck up to the judges
will be disqualified.
