Sandy the Bloodhound

This week's name is:

Sandy

Continuing my bloodhound theme for another week, I wanted to write about Sandy.

In 1977 when James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr. escaped from Brushy Mountain prison, it was a 14-month old Bloodhound named Sandy who found him 8 miles from the prison. A vain attempt to camouflage himself beneath wet leaves did not deter the Bloodhound. He was not very smart to even try!

Bloodhounds have been successful in finding missing persons, either victims or suspects when man has failed. This is because Bloodhounds thoroughly enjoy conducting a search. This, after all, is the purpose of their existence. Nothing pleases a bloodhound more than following a scent.

This is the only time you will ever see Bloodhounds be aggressive. So aggressive, in fact, that they would rather die than to give up the search.

Picture Credit: This is not a picture of Sandy - it is a picture of an unknown bloodhound

Nick Carter the Bloodhound!

This week's name is:

Nick Carter

One of the greatest sleuths, and man-trackers in canine history, was a Kentucky Bloodhound called Nick Carter.

Nick was famous for his ability to pick up a cold trail and persistently follow it for many hours. Law enforcement officials soon put him to work finding lost persons or trailing criminals. A documented story tells of how Nick following a trail 104 hours old, lead to the discovery and arrest of a fugitive.


His dogged persistence led to the capture and conviction of more than 600 criminals throughout his illustrious career.

Here are some other interesting Bloodhound Facts:

The Bloodhound is the only dog whose testimony is accepted in a court of law

Bloodhounds are not good dogs for everybody. He may be the "King of Trackers" but to many he is known as the "King of Slime" for his frequent drooling

They are known for snoring!

The distinctive deep baying voice of the Bloodhound can be a problem if you have close neighbors who do not appreciate a midnight serenade

Bloodhounds should never be allowed to run free. They have absolutely no road sense and are oblivious to cars when they are busy tracking something interesting

They are late bloomers

Pups are born black and without wrinkles


Picture Credit: This is not a picture of Nick Carter - it is just a picture of an unknown bloodhound

Igloo the Fox Terrier

This week's name is:

Igloo

Igloo was the brave, loyal, and valiant little Fox Terrier who belonged to Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd.

Igloo accompanied Admiral Byrd on the famous expeditions to the North and South Poles, specially dressed for polar blizzards.

He had many experiences including being presented to the President, being showered with a ticker tape parade, and he appeared in countless books and news dispatches.

He was even the subject of a biography: Igloo by Jane Brevoort Walden (G. P. Putnam's, 1931).

Picture Credit: www.goantiques.com

President Ford's Dog Liberty

This week's name is:

Liberty

Although I have no opinion one way or another of President Ford as far as this blog is concerned, I did want to share this amuzing story I found about President Ford and his Golden Retriever Liberty.

One night when the regular caretaker for his dog Liberty was unable to be at the White House, President Ford offered to take care of the family pet. He was told that Liberty usually needed to make a late night "business" trip to the South lawn.

As scheduled, Ford and the dog left the White House without telling the secret service. As the duo strolled the grounds the service secured the White House second floor, as is done every night. Ford was unable to use the elevator or return to the private quarters until he alerted guards that he was locked out of the Mansion.


Text and Photo Credit: http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/Pets/Liberty-Ford.htm