Shadow was my first K-9 search partner, and also one of Montana’s first search dogs. We started together as novices, with me training her at the start. Shadow was soon teaching me the finer points of a search dog’s potential. She had two of the first live finds by a search dog in Montana, both of them night searches in the Beartooth Mountains. Many of those who doubted the value of dogs in search and rescue became believers.

Shadow was my constant companion; an integral part of most of my human relationships. Her intuitiveness extended beyond search and rescue, to a fine understanding of human character. Those who deserved her trust received it, those who didn’t were denied it; always for good cause.

"Rocky Mountain Moonshadow "Shadow"
1983 -1996

Shadow my teacher,
I miss our searches together.

by Mark Polakoff