The new pup recovery – Butterbeans in the early years
In most situations, this training would have been skipped. In this situation he is glad they did not. He checks the tracking device. Butterbeans is just ahead. By Alex’s estimate, she is almost 100 meters in front of him. Therefore he isn’t worried about losing track of her. Additionally, their training is now almost second nature. Butterbeans will adjust her pace so that she is always no more than 100 meters away.
However, today is anything but training. They are working on the last area of their expertise. Search and Rescue is their game. And finding a lost pup is their mission. At least for today. Likewise, if they want to complete their mission today, they will have to move quickly. In fact, the pup they are searching for is young and inexperienced. However, Butterbeans has her scent and they are closing in.
Not for the first time Alex feels astonished at the intuitive way Butterbeans learns. Indeed, it’s uncanny, but there are times when he feels certain she can see his thoughts. Similarly this is one of the reasons they are in such demand. They are one of the top S&R teams available.
The New Pup Recovery
Therefore, Alex can’t wait to get home and tell Lisa about the day’s events. Everything is moving much faster now, and soon he and Butterbeans would be off on their first assignment. With this in mind, he radios the site commander that they are nearing the location. Meanwhile, up ahead, Butterbeans begins barking.
Now, Alex moves a little quicker. Butterbeans is signaling that she has found their lost pup. And as he clears a dense patch of trees, he can see a wagging tail in the distance. He smiles. At least the new pup recovery, finishes with new friends. As he nears the place where Butterbeans and the new pup are greeting one another he receives word from the site commander that their ride is en route.
Alex greets Butterbeans and the new pup. Within minutes they are all best friends. Then as he prepares for the transportation team, Alex thinks of how he will tell Lisa about this. They discuss every training mission, additionally she is the best friend of Butterbeans. Alex sometimes thinks Butterbeans and Lisa have him outmatched. He smiles as the transportation team arrives. With the new pup recovery complete, they can now return to their home on the base.
The New Pup Recovery – Butterbeans in the Early Years
Alex met Lisa just after he finished college. It was a chance encounter. One that led to some of the best times of his life. In fact, Lisa was there the day he brought Butterbeans home. And even though Alex won’t admit it, Lisa is the one who named Butterbeans. She said it was destined to be, the name came to her immediately.
***
Alex pulls into the driveway and turns off the truck. Butterbeans is chomping at the bit to get in the house to Lisa. Their house on the base is a standard Art Deco style home. They have lived here for almost two years. Alex reaches the passenger door and frees the impatient pup. She races to the front door and disappears through her special entrance.
Alex grabs their gear and follows Butterbeans into the house. And from the first second he enters, he knows something isn’t right. Furthermore, Butterbeans is racing from room to room. And the house is eerily quiet. Then as Butterbeans returns to Alex, she is whining softly. Alex doesn’t even have to look, to know what is wrong. Lisa is gone.
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