Flash is taking this new year by a tail-wagging storm, completing his third wildlife rescue in a week and inspiring his supporters; we got the scoop on his pawsome story:
North-West, South Africa (08 January 2025) – Working dogs are some of the most incredible helpers out there. From helping guide the blind, supporting critical illnesses and mental wellness, searching for people lost after disasters or helping fight poachers taking advantage of our natural world, these dogs are the biggest heroes and make us proud whenever we get to share their stories. That being said, we would like you to meet our latest K9 hero, Flash.
Flash lives and works alongside the team from the Owl Rescue Centre, lending a helping snout to tracking down at-risk wildlife in need of human protection and care. The gorgeous blue-eyed boy was born in 2018 and started his obedience training almost immediately. Being a Border Collie, his skill set is perfect for a working dog. The breed is highly intelligent, thrives on completing tasks and make excellent companions too. Flash is six and a half years old and loves heading into the field.
He recently assisted in saving an injured Vervet monkey in Cullinan. The poor creature had badly injured legs but evaded capture until Brendan Murray (one of the founders of the Owl Rescue Centre) and Flash arrived on the scene.
Flash, using his well-trained snout, sniffed out the monkey’s location and Brendan was able to safely trap it, avoiding any further stress.
Owl Rescue supporters tagged Good Things Guy on the post, asking us to highlight Flash’s efforts. Especially because he has already helped rescue three animals this year, and we are only a week in!
Speaking to Danelle Murray, a fellow founder and the talented wordsmith behind some of the most powerful stories shared by the Centre, we got the scoop on Flash’s role in the rescue efforts.
“We were approached to adopt him and his brother when they were only four months old.
We immediately began training him in obedience, focusing on commands that would be useful for field work.
However, his specialised training in tracking wildlife patients didn’t start until much later. Ever since they were young pups, he and his brother Freckles have joined us on our rescue missions. Flash has been assisting for about four years now.” – Danelle Murray
Flash has become the rescue’s speciality scent tracker. He is called in when an injured animal is on the move. Injured wildlife will keep moving, despite their injuries, to find a place away from humans where they can then tend to their injuries or succumb to them. Flash’s job is to find them so Brendan can trap them and get them medical attention.
“Flash is specially trained to track wildlife by following their scent. When we get a call to rescue an injured animal, it’s usually still mobile and has moved from its initial location.
In the most recent case, a monkey had been spotted but then disappeared into an overgrown bamboo grove. Flash was commanded to pick up the scent from where the monkey was last seen, and he quickly led Brendan straight to the injured primate. His help in situations like this is immeasurable. Without his keen sense of smell, we would spend countless hours searching for the injured animal while its life hangs in the balance.”
Flash has helped rescue countless animals, including owls, tortoises, bucks, primates and otters. His hard work is highly valued by everyone who meets him. Looking to add support to Flash’s skillset, the Murrays have added a new puppy to the family; Chikita is a Belgian Malinois who will be trained to assist in the search and rescue efforts. Brendan and Danelle take great care in training their dogs, and they are also important members of the family.
When Flash isn’t working, he loves cuddling with Brendan and Danelle, swimming and playing with his brother.
“Flash is a border collie, which means that he comes from a line of dogs bred for their working abilities. While some may not support the idea of using dogs for work, Flash serves as proof of how crucial it is to keep these intelligent and athletic breeds engaged in tasks that challenge them both mentally and physically. Without a job to do, certain breeds can become restless and unhappy.”
We asked if the public could support Flash’s efforts, and Danelle confirmed he would enjoy the treat or two.
“Flash, like any other dog, enjoys being pampered with treats. Supporting Flash also means supporting the larger mission. As a member of the Owl Rescue Centre team, any help given to the organisation also creates an ideal environment for Flash to thrive in.”
If you would like to support Flash, the Owl Rescue Centre or any of their rescued animals, you can reach them via the website here or Facebook.
Sources: Supplied
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