In 1966, I was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Sentry Dog School, located in Wiesbaden Germany. Little did I know then I would be retiring from the TN State Highway Patrol as their dog trainer in the year 2013. Canine has been one hell of a ride for me. I was involved in the very beginning of patrol, drug and explosives detectors for the military. I worked with mine/tunnel/tripwire dogs. I've handled sentry, patrol, drug, explosives and cadaver detector dog at some point in my career. I worked in research with dogs doing some things I'm still not sure I'm permitted to talk about. Ever hear of a water dog? I laugh when I think of Dr. Craig calling me a "Dinosaur in a Star Wars World", when I commented that the dog will remain the primary method of explosives detection during our lifetime. (That was in 1982) For the past 23+ years I have had the pleasure of being the trainer and Director of Canine for the State Patrol. Combined with the 23 years of military service with the MWD program I will be closing a career that has spanned over 46 years. I hope the future generation of dog handlers have the passion for K9 I have had this many years. I'm not leaving the forum, I'll keep my feet wet at least. I certainly do not see me buying a briefcase and joining the throng of "professional consultants" or going on the lecture circuit. I think I'll be content doing my woodworking and working on my Cushman Motor Scooters. I wish you all well and please remember, the primary objective remains; we go home when the shift is over.


DFrost

David...Sounds like you have had a wonderful career. To have had the love & passion that you have enjoyed for your 'job' makes you a lucky man. Not something that everyone gets to experience.

I hope you find an equal amount of joy in the retirement path that you take.

That little tribute reminds me of the saying, 'love what you do and you will never work a single day in your life.'

Happy retirement and thank you for your service!

My mom has a saying along those lines; "Find something you love to do and figure out a way to get paid for it".

It looks like that is exactly what you did. How wonderful to be so passionate about something and to have it be your life's work. I hope you can find something that you can be as passionate about in your retirement.

You, David, are a pleasure, not to mention a major asset.

Probably because of what Ann and Tanya and Debbie pointed out.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

You, David, are a pleasure, not to mention a major asset.

David, I always look forward to your posts. Thank you for all your years of service, and the work you have done with the 4 leggers that protect and serve.

Retiring to woodworking and motor scooters sounds like a good plan~Enjoy!

D "MAN" has spoken.....and I will listen every chance I get!!!!

Wow, thanks for your service! I am one of those people who, unfortunately, will probably never have a career that I enjoy that would still pay the bills. I am extremely jealous that you have been able to work with dogs as long as you have and got paid for it too!

I won't begin to think that all of your days were fun filled and I'm sure there is some heart break in there too, but overall it sounds like you have been extremely blessed to have the career that you did.

Enjoy your retirement, you have earned it!

Congratulations on your retirement! As others have mentioned, you are fortunate to have had a career you found so fulfilling, doing something you loved. I hope this next chapter in your life will be equally rewarding and allow you to do all the things you have wished to have the time for. And I sure hope we'll still see you around this forum!

On to another chapter, David...

Thank you for the volumes that preceded.