Get Well Dave!

You gave us quite a scare there, and we are glad that you are on your way to full recovery!

Dave, as you can see, is the consummate professional. Ready for action on a moments notice and always willing to go the extra mile. This is only one of many reasons that he is one of LEBA's most cherished instructors.

Hi, Dave!

So glad to hear that you’re out of the hospital and recovering. When I got the news about the shooting, I was really worried about you. I started thinking back to the first LEBA seminar almost 4 years ago when you helped me realize just how much Sirius could do, and you taught me the most important lesson of how to work together with him. The obstacles on the trails in New Germany State Park were great tools for teaching. I realize that you had a very strong role in my early training, and I thank you for giving me a good foundation to build on. You not only trained us hard, but you made things fun at the same time.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Grantsville in April and wish you a very speedy recovery. If there is anything at all that you need, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

Amy Bertolette & Sirius

Dave,

Glad to see you are on the mend and home with your family. I followed the story from our LEBA guys as well as the news. I hope to come see you as soon as you are feeling stronger.

Craig Carlson

Can you just let Dave know to get well soon!!! I look forward to hopefully seeing him in April. Having him, Joe Peach, and Rob Burdess was a great experience my first year at LEBA. The auction just wouldn't be the same!!! My thoughts and prayers are with him for a speedy recovery!!! merry Christmas and happy new year to all!!!!!

Rocky Reed

Ich habe von David seinem Unfall gehört, ich möchte auf diesem Wege ihn alles gute und baldige Genesung wünschen.
Auf diesem Wege möchte ich allen die mich kennen ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und ein guten Start ins Jahr 2007 wünschen.

Bitte meldet euch mal wieder.

Liebe Grüße von Dieter und Pluto

Please take this holiday season as a time to reflect on the
sacrifices and pain that law enforcement officers and their families all over the country have endured in the pursuit of justice.

Hi Dave,
we hope you will soon recover!

Uta and Flo

Hope this note isn't too late. Just opened up my email. Sure glad to hear that Dave is doing better. We have had too many officers shot in the line of duty in Maryland. Another good friend -- Trooper Eric Workman was serving a warrant and was shot just about a week or so before Dave. Eric, just as Dave has, recovered and is at home convalescing. As for a note to Dave -- I can think of better ways to get first hand experience to pass on to LEBA's bloodhound training than taking some lead; just as I don't recommend triple bypass to loose weight!!! I can see the training scenario now in downtown Grantsville along with war stories to boot!! -- Sure glad things are improving for you Dave. Our prayers have been answered. Look forward to seeing you out in Garrett County in April. Get well soon!!!

Milica, your comment that members of LEBA are a superb group of bloodhound handlers and trainers was well put. I am proud to be associated with such fine people.

My wishes for a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year goes out to everyone.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Bill Milligan

AKA "Trailblazer"

Please send my greetings to Dave. If he wants me to play the Bagpipes he will just have to wait till I get back to Grantsville, The getting shot trick won't work, he will have to suffer listening to them like everyone else. Also, he may want to consider getting the bullet they got from him, it would make a great auction item.

Get well soon Dave

Merry Christmas

Gary & Chopper

Dave,

What a relief to hear that you are home for Christmas. You didn't have our permission to give a scare like that. So it is even better that you are recovering so fast. What would we do without you at the next seminar in Havelberg?

I wish you and your family a happy, joyful Christmas and happy healthy new year.

Take extra good care

Christine and Tilly

Being the professional and dedicated handler and trainer that Dave is, it is no wonder that he is always looking for means of improvement. Here he is working by 'osmosis' to improve his communications with 'Lady'.

Hello Dave,

We have heard of your accident with regret and were very concerned. We has meet you first time in Grantsville 2003 and in this time you was for us a good friend. We meet us again 2004 in Grantsville and then 2006 in Germany, in Havelberg you was for all students and us a very good Mantrailing Instructor.

We all regretted your accident and hope that you become recovered soon, so we can see you again in the next year.

Greetings from Germany,

Jurgen and family Conrad

Dave,

The next time that you need a rest from teaching, just let us know! You really don't have to get all shot up just to get a break! :-)

Dave

Just take very good of your self and stay out of any trouble, if you can.
You need to get back into tip top shape. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Let us know if you need anything from us.

Have a very safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Tim and Suzy Perry'

Dave,

Glad to hear you are doing better and are back home with the family. I heard your story on the local news in the big State of Iowa. Guess that just shows how boring it is out here or else you are pretty important. LEBA seminars and the law enforcement brotherhood wouldn't be the same without you and I hope for your continued recovery and getting back out on the street. Take care brother..... (Edited for content) :-)

Rob Burdess "Iowa"

Hi Dave...

Best wishes for a quick recovery. Hope you get feeling better soon.

Susan Millard and K9 Rex #94

Dallas Police K9 Squad

Kodak and I were horrified when we heard about you Dave – we are incredibly grateful that you’re going to be okay and that you are spending the holidays at home. Any other scenario would have been Completely Unacceptable. Please know that we love you and, apparently, we’re not the only ones with fond “Dave the Auctioneer” memories…

p.s. Kodak said to let you know that he was ready to drop everything and head up there to kick some bad-guy butt - he’s become pretty adept at bite work since getting that specially formulated JRT bite sleeve at NOCDS! (proof attached)

(okay, so it’s not Kodak, it’s Canon, but it IS bite work nonetheless...)

p.p.s. Clearly, no one else is gonna say it, so I will...

didn't ANY of your LE "buddies" have a less maniacal-looking picture of you to splash all over the news media?! I've only seen you smile that big when you've got a beer in your hand...

:)

Karen Porter, Tallahassee, FL

Team Kodak
small, but true

Dave,

I was so sorry to hear about what happened to you. You and your family have been and are still in my thoughts and prayers. I am so relieved that you are at home and recovering. I wish you a healthy and speedy recovery. My best to you and your family.

Jeannette Barnes
K-9 Hannah
Saline County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Arkansas

Glad to hear you are on the mend. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you, but as a fellow (former) Maryland police officer and K-9 handler, I wanted to extend my best wishes. Take care and have a great holiday.

Neal Scudder & K-9 Bach

Dave,

sending you all our best thoughts and wishes for a quick recovery.

You take good care of yourself
Christine

Dave,

You don't know me and we have never met, but I have read a lot about you over the past week or so. As I, too, have a BH that I am working and learning about, I know we have something in common. I hope all of the best for you and yours and wish you a speedy recovery.

Steve Cooper

Mansfield, Texas

Dave,

Get well soon and remember, KEEP SETTING THE TONE.

Bob

Flusen Glasen. When Ron Brown called to give me the news I almost wrecked my car as I was on the way home that day. You are the fourth friend of mine who has been shot during the past four months and I'm so thankful you are working your way to a speedy recovery. I'm looking forward to the Grantsville Seminar, maybe "Elvis" will make a special appearance just for you.

Remember: Snausen Hausen.

God bless.

Jon Burcham
K-9's Elvis and Ella
Polk County, Florida

Izzy Sends Get Well and Christmas Wishes from Grand Junction Colorado!

ps Izzy can tell Niko where to get this outfit!

Hallo Dave,

habe gerade erst von Elly von Deinem Unglück erfahren. Ich wünsche Dir gute Besserung und ein gesundes neues Jahr.

Und ich hoffe, daß wir uns auf dem nächsten Seminar in Havelberg wiedersehen werden. Wir brauchen gute Trainer. :-))

Alles Liebe und Gute wünschen Dir,

Harry und Shadow

HALLO DAVE !!!!!

DIE BESTEN WÜNSCH E FÜR DAS JAHR 2007 WÜNSCHEN DIR MICHAEL UND
DANDY

WERD BALD WIEDER GESUND DAMIT WIR UNS IM NÄCHSTEN JAHR WIEDER
SEHEN KÖNNEN

Lieber Dave,
ich habe von der schlimmen verletzung gehört und möchte dir gute genesung und erholung wünschen !!!
ich hoffe, daß es dir bald besser geht und du dich vollständig erholen kannst. es war sehr schön, dich im oktober bei den conrads kennen zu lernen und ich würde mich sehr freuen, dich wieder sehen zu können.
ganz herzliche grüße von uli mit bloodhound lola

I can't find the right words to say Dave what we feel and what we wish him. We wish him that he will be health quick and he should know that we are thinking on him the whole time here in Germany. We wish him and his family a Merry Christmas.

It's so good to read that your members are so great with what they are doing for Dave and others. We wish you and your family and all LEBA members a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Jürgen and Ariane (and families)

Please send any get well wishes, jokes or other 'publishable' comments and they will be posted nightly.

leba@gci.net