Sudden Adventure Day 2: More Puppy Dogs and Beach’s

So today continued more filming of search and rescue dogs. The crew and I met up at around 6:30 in the am and was out to the Kennel by 7. We got there early so we could see one of there finest tracking dogs in action. We went out to this great big field with a lot of tall grass and even a pond. They would place three different markers in this field with out the dog knowing where it was. The owner would then command the dog to go out and find each on in turn. This was called a “Blind” find. It was remarkable how fast this dog went and how quickly he found each marker. We would place the marker into a new location every time and he would find all three and bring them in under five minutes and that is really impressive because the markers were over 15o feet away. At the same time he would still take directions from the owner, she could shout out a command or blow a whistle and the dog would know that it meant to either stop or go in another direction. Like I always knew that dogs were awesome but seeing this really did prove that there are just a really incredible creature.

Then second part of our shoot was a main interview with our story subject. Sadly because it was a very small room I could not be there for the interview. I waited outside to make sure no one came into the area. However it was ok because I got to hang out with these guys.

I swear I wanted to just crawl in there and nap too. The idea of napping with over 15 lab puppies seems like heaven.

Once the interview part was over we were actually wrapped for the day. We said goodbyes and the rest of the crew and I got to enjoy the rest of the day. Because it was so nice out we actually decided to go to Old Orchard Beach. One of those giant beach’s where everyone goes to in the summer time, and I can understand why it was great. So I got to spend some time hanging out on the beach and reading my book.  As work days go, filming adorable dogs/puppies then hanging out on the beach, this was pretty stellar.

And with that, that is a wrap on Portland Maine. Tomorrow we gear up and get ready to head in NYC, and I get to deal with the fun insanity that is driving through downtown Manhattan again.

Sudden Adventure!

So funny thing happened two days ago. I was on the deck talking with my folks about how because of how these next two months are going to be mad crazy scheduling wise I didn’t know when I might get my next gig and then a half hour later I got a call asking if I could do one.  My production company needed a PA for a Animal show the only catch was, it started yesterday and I would go on the road until the 18th. Well it does not take much for me to take a sign like that I happily said yes. Scheduling wise this works out pretty well if not a little crazy. I am now on the road until the 18th and then two days later I then leave for Scotland for a week and a half so life just got super crazy real fast.

I packed up a new car with new equipment and left the apt this morning at around 9 am. I am currently in South Portland Maine, I will be here until Monday, where I then drive down to NYC for a full week of taping. What am I helping out on this time? Here this is what I dealt with most of the day.

 

PUPPIES!!

Well Search and Rescue dogs but the first part of the day was getting footage of adorable Black & Yellow Lab Puppies. We had to get footage of the 3 month olds and then the 6 week olds. And I had to be puppy wrangler to make sure none tackled our DP. So needless to say it was amazing!

The rest of the shoot was getting footage of the rescue dogs going through obstacle courses and simulated destroyed terrain. Trainers would be on this mountain of wooden pallets and the dogs would have to go over all of them when they were uneven it was really amazing to see these dogs go. I learned a great lot today. One I didn’t realize Labs were used as rescue dogs but after today I can see that they are perfect for it. Second I didn’t realize rescue dogs can be used not only for search and rescue but detection dogs for things like Cancer now, its really just amazing how awesome dogs really are.

Are shoot went real well and we were all wrapped up by 6 or so.  Myself and the crew then went to celebrate a job well done by having beers. Tomorrow will be more adorable Lab dog and puppies. Then come Monday I make my way down to NYC. It was a good start to a shoot week but right now I feel this tired.

So let this week of crazy shoot of adorable dogs begin!