Play Fetch: An Avery Barks Dog Mystery (Avery Barks Dog Mysteries Book 3) Read Free Page A

scent pool,” Don called out to me.
    I watched Ace closely as he worked back and forth in the area of strong scent, his whole body focused on taking his nose where it needed to go.  Only the dog could smell the scent we followed.  We humans only picked up the refreshing smell of morning mountain air. 
    It was apparent from the Ace’s movements that the man had spent some time in this area, so I checked the ground for clues while Don watched his dog.  Right next to a big log, I noticed a neatly stacked pile of small branches.
    “Anna was right.  It looks like he was stacking some fire wood,” I told Don.
    “It’s amazing how much better we do when we have a good scent article!” Don was still irritated by being misled with the wrong jeans.  I wondered if the woman would face criminal charges for tampering with evidence and offering false information.
    Ace worked out to the edge of the scent pool and dove into the trees behind the wood pile.  The dog’s movements increased in speed and intensity and I hung a strip of orange flagging tape on a tree branch by the main four-wheeler path.  If the victim needed medical assistance, the orange tape would help the paramedics find us faster. 
    I caught up to Don as he followed Ace on a narrow twelve-inch wide trail, created and used by the many deer in the area as they moved from their food and water source to the spots where they bed down.  Don jerked his right arm up and stopped so suddenly that I almost ran into him.
    Ace positioned his nose above a pair of shoes, neatly aligned next to a neatly folded white handkerchief. A wool sweater hung on a branch, like it was a coat rack.  The scene almost looked like the entrance foyer in someone’s home.
    Ace ran in a direct line back to Don, and pawed at his leg, alerting him that he had found the victim’s clothing. 
    “Work it out.” Don gave Ace a vocal nudge to keep looking.
    The black lab disappeared as he jumped over a downed tree log and romped into the woods.  In less than a minute, Ace returned and pawed at Don’s leg again while staring him straight in the eye.  It was the dog’s indication of a live find.
    “Show me.” Don gave Ace the command to take him to the victim.
    Ace turned and jumped back over the log, while Don and I followed him.  About twenty feet behind the log, the man was lying face up.
    Don said “Good Boy,” and handed Ace his toy.  Don dropped on his knees next to the victim and made an initial assessment of the man’s condition.  He was still breathing but was not responsive.  Don reached to his vest, activated his hand radio and called a code C-300.  In these parts, that’s the code for finding a person that is alive but unable to walk out on their own.  Assistance was needed for medical treatment and to carry the victim out. 
    Ace’s toy dangled from his mouth as he watched Don take the man’s pulse. I called Ace over to me and played tug with the dog, so Don could focus on helping the old man.  Our radios crackled with voices as other search team members and paramedics requested our location. 
    Don radioed in our coordinates and advised responders to look for the orange flagging tape along the four-wheeler path.  We were within shouting distance of that spot. It wasn’t long before help arrived with a stokes basket.  The team stabilized the patient for a carry-out.
    Once the crews cleared out, Don focused on giving Ace the proper play time as a delayed reward.  I enjoyed watching them celebrate a job well done. 
    “Way to stick with it,” I told Don.  “Great work!”
    “Thanks for coming out,” Don replied.
    “Anna’s information saved her granddaddy’s life,” I said, proud of my new little friend.
    “At least someone in the family cares about him,” Don said and turned from the dog to me.  “I can’t believe that woman gave us the wrong clothing to use as a scent article.” He scowled as his thoughts entered deputy mode.
    “It’s possible