Unlike many of our search dogs, whose high drive and intense toy focus are seen as troublesome traits, Major’s destiny was recognized from the beginning. This handsome Black Labrador was hand-picked as a puppy for just these unique qualities and donated to the Search Dog Foundation in January 2009 by Nona Kilgore Bauer, author of Dog Heroes of September 11th.
After arriving from Missouri as a puppy, Major lived with SDF friends and volunteers Jeff & Jill Wenig in Santa Paula, CA. SDF named the pup Major in memory of Bill Major and Ann Mangini-Major, longtime supporters of SDF who sponsored this wonderful dog.
Under the guidance of SDF trainers and founder Wilma Melville, Major spent his puppy months training with Jeff in preparation for formal search dog training at Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy, CA. Thanks to these efforts, Major eventually graduated as a certified search dog and was finally ready to be partnered with a handler.
Firefighter and veteran SDF handler Russell Tao had met Major while he was still in training at Sundowners and thought he and Major would make a good match. Trainers agreed, and in June 2010, Russell traveled to Gilroy to train with Major for the first time. The two bonded instantly.
“He’s taken to me as much as I’ve taken to him. He’s a sweet dog and a hard worker,” Russell said. Trainer Sharon Hanzelka agreed, saying, “It was nice to watch an experienced handler who knows the ropes… and then to see Major respond to him. Major fell into place right away, as if they had been a team the whole time.”
Once at home with Russell and his family in Los Angeles, Major settled into the everyday life of being a search dog and the rigorous daily training with Russell. Major got along well with Russell’s other search dog, Andy, and soon became a part of the family, including daughter Emma’s nighttime ritual of blowing both dogs kisses every night on her way to bed.
In April 2011, Russell and Major achieved FEMA certification, enabling the team to deploy to disaster zones across the country should the call come. To stay deployable, teams must re-certify every three years, and in February 2014, Russell and Major did just that.
Russell and Major trained regularly until 2016, when it was determined that it was time for Major to retire. Because he could no longer take Major to the station with him once he retired, Russell asked SDF to find Major a suitable home with constant companionship rather than being left alone all day. By this time, SDF had relocated to the National Training Center in Santa Paula, CA, and we were grateful to find Major an excellent Lifetime Care home on a nearby ranch with Josh Wise.
Josh regularly reported that Major enjoyed his new lifestyle as a ranch dog. They went for long hikes, and when Josh adopted a red heeler, he let us know that Major was helping to train her like a champ. “I will never be able to thank the Search Dog Foundation enough for allowing me to look after such an amazing dog.”
After six years together, on April 4, 2022, Josh had to say goodbye to his 13-year-old friend Major. That day Josh messaged us: “Major passed away this morning. I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for everything you and the search dog crew did for him and I, and for the opportunity you gave me. He was such a good dog, and I can’t tell you how appreciative I am for the time I got to have him with me…I took off from work and laid him to rest on our ranch overlooking Aliso and Wheeler Canyons. Thank you very much.”
We are grateful to everyone who played a part in Major’s life and to Major for how he touched ours. Thank you for your service, Major; you will be missed.
