From Bombs to brushes (out-alpha'd by a little white dog)

When I joined the EOD community in 1999, I had no idea of the real journey that I was undertaking.  Originally from Charlotte, my "home" has expanded to encompass the globe, and returned to area where I was born.  Joining the Air Force seemed like a rational decision, that would provide a career, show me foreign lands, and challenge me in ways that many would never know.  It felt exclusive and empowering to wear the coveted badge of the elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal community, and that pride has propelled me through most of my life's seemingly insurmountable obstacles.  But all of that came crashing down when this little white dog, "Toby" had me standing dumbfounded at what had just occurred!

This was the first time that I'd been "Played" by such a fuzzy little creature.  Every time I tried to brush him, he would yelp and thrust, throwing the brush across the room! Obviously, something was mortally wrong, so I rush to get Kat, my Girlfriend, and the reason I was doing this in the first place.  She comes into the room, with a calm (and annoyingly knowing) look on her face, picks up the brush, and begins brushing little Toby, as if nothing had ever occurred.

For the first time in my adult life it became irrefutably apparent that I WAS NOT ALPHA here!?!  And what's even more surprising than that, is that little Toby knew it, and exploited it.

That was a year ago, and it's been an indescribably daunting and enjoyable road ever since.  Though I still travel as a bomb tech, I spend every possible moment learning what it means to work with dogs.  From countless hours of watching Cesar Millan (my GF's crush, though she won't admit it directly: I can sense things too), to apprenticing and studying, learning to operate in this world has become a new passion of mine.  Kat and I now own a startup grooming business in Harrisburg, and Bombs are quickly becoming an occupation that is fading into memory.

Though I've always loved business, this is the first time that I've loved "My" business.  Make no mistake, It's Kat that keeps our clients coming back, but nothing in the working world brings me more joy than to see their tails start wagging when they see me.  It lets me know that they love me too. :)

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