Something my dad told me...

[Dakota Sunrise]

This is really long and I applogize in advance. You don't have to read it, I just started writing and couldn't stop, it felt good to write it out.

I think a lot of you guys know that I always wanted to join the Air Force, go Security Forces, and become a k9 handler. Then after I had served my 20 years and retired from the service, I wanted to work with Search and Rescue dogs.
My dad was Air Force Security Forces and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I've always looked up to my dad and respect him so much- he always knows the right thing to do or say. He's smart, confident, tactical, determined, a leader, and a real fighter- everything I'm not but want to be.
I never wanted to do anything else, that was my plan and I never had any doubts that I would follow through and enlist.
But well.. I'm no longer going to the Air Force. My reasons for wanting to go haven't changed though. I always wanted to serve my country and protect its people- do something important with my life, something I could be proud of. I wanted to be a part of something bigger and more important than myself. I wanted to help others. And none of that has changed.
But for reasons that some would and some wouldn't understand, I'm not going. I won't get into the why, it's complicated. And not really the point of this thread.

Anyway, after I decided I wasn't going to the Air Force I felt confused and almost.. empty inside. Like something was missing. I had no clue what I was going to do with my life now that I had made that decision. I work at my mom's clothing store at the moment, but I knew I didn't want to do that forever.

Well, a few nights ago I started thinking about what I had planned to do after my Air Force career- be a Search and Rescue k9 handler. The only flaw in that plan is that SAR people don't get paid. It's vollunteer work, and actually costs you money (buying equipment, appropriate clothing, training courses, etc.). It was still something I wanted to do, but I have to make a living and need money to support myself.

Well, that night I was getting ready for bed and my dad said good night and went to his room. But then he came back and told me something that really helped me, something I won't forget. He told me that my life's work doesn't have to be something I get paid to do. He said I could continue to work at my mom's store as long as I wanted, forever even. The job would be the source of my income but not my career. Search and Rescue could be what was most important to me, and fill the drive I always felt to help people and so something that really mattered.
I thought a lot about what he said and he's completely right, I had just never thought of it that way before. I always thought if I just worked at my mom's store forever I would never go anywhere or do anything important. I'd just grow up and grow old and stay the same shy hobbit person I am now and never really do anything that amazing. But now I don't think that. If I as a search and rescue member can save even one person's life, that will be amazing. I'm sad that my Air Force plan didn't work out, but I have other options and this is my chance to do what I always wanted to do- help people.

So, with all of that said (and if anybody actually read all of that you are amazing and deserve a cookie:)), here is where I stand now:
I, along with an older friend, am going to my first Search and Rescue training on Sunday. Since we're newbies we'll mostly just watch this time and observe how the other handlers work with their dogs. My friend is getting her German Shepard pup soon, and she'll be training her for SAR. My parents say I have to wait until I am started with my training before I can get my SAR dog. They don't really want another dog in the house and my mom is kind of against this whole thing but they're willing to allow it. I just need to work on them so I can get the dog sooner rather than later so my friend and I can train our pups together.:)

I am very excited about this whole thing. I'm a little nervous because that's just the kind of person I am (I'm terrible in social situations and it's even worse when others know what they're doing and I don't. I'm not real bright and never know what to say to people and always end up acting like an idiot, and when I get nervous that all just intensifies:rolleyes:), but i'm also very excited and happy about this.:) Becoming a SAR k9 handler has been something I've always wanted to do, and now that dream is really going to come true.

I'll stop now because I already wrote the longest, worst novel ever, lol.:o :innocent: I'm sure no one will read the whole thing and I don't blame you there, but it felt good to write it out.:)

[Fork]

Fantastic news! :D Congratulations.

I completely agree with going with your heart, but there's one question. What will you make working at your mom's store? Where will you live? How will you afford to buy equipment? Although the best jobs are volunteering, there isn't much of a way around a job. Unless you win the lottery or gain an inheritance.

[WashingtonBay]

That's terrific, and your dad is right. Your life doesn't have to be about your job. Sometimes your job is just what allows you to afford your life :)

Good luck. K9 and search and rescue training is really interesting. I know a guy who trains a lot of police dogs that sell for big money $10-$25,000 each... and he makes a good living at it. He didn't start there, he's worked hard to get there, but if there's anything I've seen about you, it's that you know how to work for something you want. :)

[lovesfortune]

That's terrific, and your dad is right. Your life doesn't have to be about your job. Sometimes your job is just what allows you to afford your life :)

Good luck. K9 and search and rescue training is really interesting. I know a guy who trains a lot of police dogs that sell for big money $10-$25,000 each... and he makes a good living at it. He didn't start there, he's worked hard to get there, but if there's anything I've seen about you, it's that you know how to work for something you want. :)


Couldn't agree more.

I'm very happy for you. It's a great feeling, isn't it?

[Gypsy Rose]

That is so awesome!

[Dakota Sunrise]

Thanks, everybody.:)



I completely agree with going with your heart, but there's one question. What will you make working at your mom's store? Where will you live? How will you afford to buy equipment? Although the best jobs are volunteering, there isn't much of a way around a job. Unless you win the lottery or gain an inheritance.

At the moment I only make $8.00 an hour and work two or three days a week. Enough to get by and support myself and my horses. Soon I will be working more days a week so my paycheck will be increasing, and when I'm older I'll also get a raise. And also, my mom's shop is sort of an example. When I'm older I may find a higher paying job, but it can be anything, it doesn't have to be a part of my dream. I don't really know what yet but i'll figure that out then.
As for where I'll live, well... I'm 17 right now with no plans of moving out anytime soon. My 20 year old bro should probably go first, lol.;) But he's comfy staying at home and I don't think his moving out is happening any time soon, lol.:p
But seriously yeah- for a while I'll be here at home. I know a lot people move out at 18 but my parents have told me that I'm welcome to stay as long as I want (of course I'll help pay bills and buy groceries, etc once I'm an adult). According to my dad I never have to move out, lol.:p But I know eventually I'll want my own space and I will move out, but that's not happening any time soon. I am a walking disaster, I need my parents!:o

[gabhainn]

Lizzie
your Dad's advice is profound and true, your lifes work should be a labor of love not a paycheck. I am lucky I love what I do and generally I have enough time to cowboy on the side.
As for search and rescue, I do some of that myself. It seems like a couple of people get lost in the National Forest every year.
If Search and Rescue is what you want to do check with your sherrif's dept. and local fire dept find out if they have SAR units and what it takes to get in.
I found it by accident, I just happened to be in town when they were looking for riders and I had my horse in my trailer hooked up figgered why not.
There are many paid SAR teams but they are mostly out west attached to Ranger stations. So you might want to look at being a Park Ranger.
I wish you the best in this endeavor. I would offer you the following advice to help in this end.
#1 learn to use a compass (gps is great but compasses dont require batteries or satellite signal)
#2 learn to read all types of maps goes hand in hand with #1
#3 become an EMT
#4 cross train your dog to not only follow scent but as a cadaver dog (morbid yes but necessary)
#5 go to the Outdoor Life archives and in late 2008 early 2009 there was a great article on SAR teams and training requirements, I wish now I hadnt thrown it away or I would send it to you.
Sorry for the book ..................Kevin

ETA I recommend this book for the compass thing The Outward Bound Map & Compass Handbook by Glenn Randall ISBN: 978-1-4351-1767-7

[PoniesRock101]

Lizzy, do what you want to do. It's better to do something you'd like to do rather than be agonizing over doing something that you hate. I wish you luck, and I bet your puppy will be an awesome k9 SAR dog :D

Sounds like Kevin gave alot of resources, I really think i'm gonna try to read some of those. Looks interesting :)

[carla]

EMT is a great suggestion from gabhainn.. and if you took it up as a job as well as just the training, you would work shifts, and therefore would have plenty of days left in the week to do what you really love. Great idea!

[gabhainn]

Sounds like Kevin gave alot of resources, I really think i'm gonna try to read some of those. Looks interesting :)
I think everybody should read the outward bound book, mine is in tatters. I got it back when I was in Boy Scouts, and it has logged many a mile in a pack or saddle bags.To the point that just last week I used a Barnes and Noble gift card I got for christmas to buy a new copy. I also review it before I go on any kind of extended camping or hunting trip. It is true I use a gps more and more but I always have a compass for back up for the reasons I said, and a personal experience where my gps ran away with my horse, I would have had a real problem if I hadnt had a compass in my pocket..........Kevin

[FlapJack]

Your dad sounds really nice. I definitely get feeling a bit confused about this topic (I am too), but it's great to be reminded that your job doesn't define you. It's not what you do it's how you do it :)
Anyway, good luck with your future plans.

[Fork]

Thanks, everybody.:)



At the moment I only make $8.00 an hour and work two or three days a week. Enough to get by and support myself and my horses. Soon I will be working more days a week so my paycheck will be increasing, and when I'm older I'll also get a raise. And also, my mom's shop is sort of an example. When I'm older I may find a higher paying job, but it can be anything, it doesn't have to be a part of my dream. I don't really know what yet but i'll figure that out then.
As for where I'll live, well... I'm 17 right now with no plans of moving out anytime soon. My 20 year old bro should probably go first, lol.;) But he's comfy staying at home and I don't think his moving out is happening any time soon, lol.:p
But seriously yeah- for a while I'll be here at home. I know a lot people move out at 18 but my parents have told me that I'm welcome to stay as long as I want (of course I'll help pay bills and buy groceries, etc once I'm an adult). According to my dad I never have to move out, lol.:p But I know eventually I'll want my own space and I will move out, but that's not happening any time soon. I am a walking disaster, I need my parents!:oGood stuff! :) I'm glad to hear you have a happy family situation. When I was 17, I supported my horse and her board and I was very happy.

Coming from experience, anything is possible. I had an ex who insisted he never wanted to go to school. He never wanted to move away from his mom. 3 years later and he's now attending university an hour away. He lives on his own and only comes home once and a while. I only moved away from home to be in the same city my boyfriend, who wanted to go to school up in the middle of nowhere. :p I'm happier than I was back at home, even though I still enjoy going home every month or two.

It's always better to work for a job you enjoy, than a job that pays well but gets you down.

[luckydoublesranch]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am soooo happy or you and you should be PROUD!!! You ARE a smart wonderful young adult and I think everyone here can see that. Don't EVER doubt yourself. Hold your chin up and be proud of whatever you choose to do. What you have planned sounds VERY noble and commendable to say the least. I have gone through similar thoughts about my job from time to time. Being a vet tech for a humane society does not pay well at all and you are basically volunteering your time for a very small wage. BUT, the joy I get out off helping and providing a service that someone else either can't or won't brings me joy and worth. I wish you the very best and can't wait to see where this all leads you!! The updates will be awesome!!! You go girl!!!! :)

[allie0]

Your dad sounds lovely :) Best of luck Lizzy :) I'm glad your dad is helping you recognise your dream!!

[Steelhorserider]

It is so hard to chose what you want to do with the rest of your life at your tender age...but I applaud you for taking the path you have chosen rather than just go along the road of life and see what happens. I have always wanted to SAR too, but my job does not allow that kind of time off and any flexibility. I hope you have found something to fill the void you feel in your life...your dad is right, a career does not always have to be a paying job!

[natisha]

I like your plan, you've gotten great advice here. Could you someday take over your Mom's store, hire good people to run it? I think getting trained in some kind of career is the way to go too. Never know when you need a backup plan & education can never be taken from you. Things can change so fast.

(confidential to Dakota Sunrise) Get yourself a boyfriend with more money than time,one who takes pleasure in supporting your passion.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Thank you all so much for the nice comments and encouragment. I really appriciate it and it means a lot to me.xD

Gabhainn: thank you for the good advice. My dad can help me with the compass and map reading, and I'll check out the book you mentioned too.:)
I'm not sure what all is involved with becoming an EMT and too much medical stuff freaks me out (like hospitals and all that) but first aid kind of stuff I can handle. I'll definately look into it. Also, you're right- cross training my pup to also be a cadavar dog is a good idea. I don't look forward to the recovery searches, but I know it's important for the victim to be found and for the family to have closure and not be left wondering what happened to their loved one.

Natisha: I definately do need a boyfriend. I'm embarassed to admit that I've never had one.:o
I don't know if I could one day take over my mom's store or not. I'm not much of a bussiness person but who knows. I know I will be working there a lot more as time goes on, basically be her main employee (at the moment I'm her only employee and she works the other days herself).
I don't have plans to go to college.. one is because I'm not the best student and also because it costs so much. I refuse to ask my parents to pay for it and they couldn't afford to anyway. I could work my way through college but I'm not sure if that's something I want to do because I don't know what I'd even want to go to school for. But I'll figure out something and work enough to support myself, my horses, my future SAR pup, and stuff like that. I've been poor all my life so as long as I can make enough to get by I'll be fine, lol.:p

[GrungeEquestrian]

Congrats Lizzy your dad is totally right. I wish my dad saw life this way, hopefully he'll open his eyes. Again congrats, can't wait till you can get your puppy. :)

Get yourself a boyfriend with more money than time,one who takes pleasure in supporting your passion.
Agreed ;)

[Tiz]

Look, cut this out! "I'm not real bright..." There's a difference between being bright, and being quick witted. You may not have an instant comeback at times, but you're plenty bright.


Do what you love, and the money will follow. Donald Trump advice.

[dame_wolf]

Your dad is very right and I'm glad you are going for your training! Keep us posted!!!

[Dakota Sunrise]

Look, cut this out! "I'm not real bright..." There's a difference between being bright, and being quick witted. You may not have an instant comeback at times, but you're plenty bright.




Awe, well thanks.xD Sometimes I just feel so stupid, and I really do a lot of dumb stuff, just ask my parents.:innocent: Not bad stuff, just like blond moment/airhead kind of stuff. And I never have instant comebacks, I always think of the right thing to say ten minutes after the conversation ends.:p:rolleyes::innocent: lol

[Tiz]

"And I never have instant comebacks, I always think of the right thing to say ten minutes after the conversation ends.:p:rolleyes::innocent: lol "


Me neither. I have some really clever and scathing conversations in my head though, when I'm cleaning stalls. By myself.

[WashingtonBay]

My best comebacks happen on the way home or while cleaning stalls ;)

[shewasmyshadow]

Didn't get a chance to read everyone's suggestions, but I'm in the same boat as you. I know I'm common sense smart, but not book smart. I have a hard to time with traditional education styles, etc. However, here's my dream job.

Equine Massage

It's not a lot of tradition education. A little bit, but mostly it's hands-on learning and I'm good at that!

It pays really well. At least in my area.

There's a lot demand and not a lot of people doing it.

You set your own schedule!

In my opinion that would be a perfect match for the other part of your LIFE. :D Dogs would fit right in with it. You can even combine equine and canine massage in a single degree.

Anyways, just a suggestion. :)

[Arrow]

Awww--whenever you tell us about your folks, they sound so GREAT! You've gotten good advice here about other career paths to add to SAR, so I've nothing to add. Glad that you're feeling better than you did a couple days ago!

[sugarsgirl]

Aww, that's great Lizzy!
Best of luck with it all :)