click here to play "Wind Beneath my Wings"

From the rubble of the World Trade Center, tales of heroism have emerged. The bravery continues as search-and-rescue teams dig through the remains to find an unlikely survivor or to reclaim a casualty. Meanwhile, people across the United States are pouring resources to help everyone connected to the rescue and recovery efforts.

Exhausted search dogs are nearing collapse, after being on the go for 16 hours straight, according to news accounts. Several dogs have been injured in the wreckage, falling through floors of damaged buildings adjacent to the World Trade Center. In the first hours of the attacks, search dogs found six people alive. Since then, sadly, fewer people have been found. Some search teams have been sent home as the effort shifts from rescue to recovery.

The courage and self-sacrifice that has become routine began moments after the first Boeing airliner struck the World Trade Center as dogs led the blind through the smoky confusion to safety. In one case, a blind man had let his dog off leash to give the canine a chance to escape. The plane had struck the building 20 floors above, and glass rained down. The dog ran at first, but came back to his side and guided him to the emergency exit.

Upon reaching the emergency exit with a crowd of others, the man was led down the 70 flights of stairs by the dog and by his boss. Slowly, with the crowd pressing in on them, the trio made their way to safety.

On the 78th floor, a similar story unfolded. Roselle, also a Labrador retriever, was sleeping under the desk of Michael Hingson, a sales manager who worked in the World Trade Center. The collision and explosion woke Roselle. She guided Hingson through the smoke and the smell of burning jet fuel to the emergency exit and down the stairs.

If the dogs involved in these and so many other rescues could speak, they would only say that they were simply following their nature. The same can be said of the people who continue to find ways to help out during the crisis. Simply put, youll never find a hero who admits to being one. They simply dont know how else to respond.

The SAR (Search & Rescue) dogs that are in NY and at the Pentagon are working very hard along side their handlers and are doing a tremendous service.

These dogs are highly trained and accustomed to the adverse conditions in which they presently find themselves.

Reports that the dogs need booties, food and treats are incorrect.

According to top SAR handler, (Name deleted) the booties would inhibit their footing as they search and would not be used..

**** was at the Pentagon today and the dogs feet are all fine.

All SAR handlers feed their dogs very specific diets (many feed raw diets) and donations of dog food will not help them in any way. The same applies for treats.

What Is needed are cash donations.

A donation of cash will allow the members of the SAR teams to get the supplies they do need and to compensate the salaries they will miss from their absence at work.

All of the members of the SAR teams are volunteers.

They purchase their own dogs, pay to attend training and then volunteer for disasters and searches.

According to **** the search will last at least three weeks at the Pentagon.

The handlers cannot afford to be on unpaid leave from work that long.

The SAR handlers and dogs are truly America's unsung heroes.

**** recently took one of Rin Tin Tin VIII's pups for
future SAR. His name is Rin Tin Tins ******. She works closely with the FBI and was the subject of the book titled Search and Rescue.

She was known for having the #1 cadaver dog in the nation, who just recently passed away. She also has male named ******** who is certified in cadaver and has been called out to search at the Pentagon..

She will have frequent contact with me during the tedious
search.

All cash donations will be directed to those SAR team members whose salaries will be lost while they volunteer their time to search the Pentagon.


Should you require any additional information please contact me at DRinTinTin@Aol.Com or visit www.ARFkids.com for ways to donate.

ARFkids Foundation is assisting the SAR team in collecting and distributing money to the handlers.

Please pray for the SAR dogs and their handlers, as the material they are breathing will no doubt have long lasting effects on them.

This is Kira Leibling von Sugar Run. She and her owner are working SAR at the WTC site

"Letter" from an SAR worker who has just returned from the "front line".........


First off, I AM BACK. I WILL post more later about our sleeping Giant.(NYC) Here is information that I can bring from the Front Lines. Apparently (after reading through about thirty emails on this tragedy) there is some confusion on what is needed and how to help. Here is the Front Line info.
FIRST: IMPORTANT The presence of the USHS is very prominent.
Their representatives are there NOT to help us in caring for
our dogs...which in MY opinion should be a big part of what
they are for... They are there to REPORT on the conditions
under which we work our dogs. (In my opinion they are there
to criticize how we treat our dogs. When they only see the
tiniest part of our dogs lives. ) They are ALSO THERE to
COLLECT MONEY! We are almost all of the same thoughts about
this. (the active search teams) We will in all likeliness
never see that money ourselves,
I understand companies have donated products such as booties
WHICH ARE NEEDED. 40 Pairs of Muttluks were delivered in the
names of Sue Burnham (IS) David Buzzel (Working Collie
Assoc.) Marcia Callerns (pvt) Donald Bayly (we can guess
who he is) Greyson industries (pvt) Mackell, Dyer and Haupt
(law firm MI.) On behalf of all the supporting agencies we
thank you.

Copper's Muttluks were worn but still very
useable so I did not take my pair, as there will be others
who will need them. I may need them in round two. There is
promise of more. Money donated should go to the City
Offices address that has been posted
New York City Offices
c/o search and response (K-9)
61 Chambers St. New York, NY 10007
OR supplies could be sent if your state's National
Guard is sending responders directly to the scene.

Info on the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation
This is ONE individual search dog faction located in Calif. Right now
they do not even have a presence in NYC. They have only 6
dogs in their foundation, all of which are well equipped. (I
believe that they also get funding from United Way.) Any
funding sent to them at their Calif address will be applied
to keeping up search classes and paying for seminars and
training exercises. I am not sure if individual handlers get
any funds from a pool or not. THEY indicate that the members
make their own equipment purchases. I am not undermining
their cause, but informing list members that money sent to
this organization funds this organization ONLY and not the
whole SAR K-9 efforts in NYC. I would not advise sending
money to HSUS and be aware that PETA is there as well. I'm
sure that they are using this advantage to ask for funds.
They are using their efforts NOT to make sure that the
animals are ethically treated (as their name suggests) They
are fighting the domineering Search and rescue K-9 handlers
for forcing these "magnificent animals" into hazardous and
even life threatening situations. (Like we too are not there
by their sides) I have no doubt that they will share in
funds from HSUS.
Things that ARE NEEDED: Bandages and vet wrap. Some are
using this to wrap dogs legs so they don't get scraped up,
bandaging long ears. (two cockers !!! yes American Cocker
Spaniels with ears shaved but also wrapped. We don't really
like to use Red Cross services or hospitals services for
things like blisters and general scrapes etc...so band aids
are useful and dressings antibiotic ointments, etc. Ours
ran dangerously low. ANY electrolyte solutions for the
DOGS. (Some for people too wouldn't hurt.) I left a box and
a half of Zukes Power Bones Dog energy bars but donations
of more wouldn't hurt.

Again...if there are any search teams going to this area,
send these with them as they will get there sooner. Not just
K-9 search but Fire Dept, Urban search and disaster search
groups can all transport into that area. TRASH BAGS! for
personal trash...The RATS are incredible in the rubble area
now. (something I never anticipated...there is always more
to learn) WE DO appreciate every effort that is made on
our behalf. And Thank-you for everyone that has helped out
with phone calls to corporate entities, support funding and
all the emotional support too.
Judi Bayly And Copper
Boston Urban Search and Rescue Task Force
Massachusetts
Urban Search & Rescue Task Force (MA-TF1)
NYC WTC Debris Search Team

As a member of the board of this new organization, I am proud to announce:

The International Association Of Canine Professionals has
just donated $400.00 to the National Disaster Rescue
Dog Foundation fund to assistant SAR dogs and handlers in
NY.

Since we are a new organization, we are limited as to what
we can do financially. But at least it's something!

This organization info can be found at:

http://www.dogpro.org/