#1

My name is Pam (Thelin) Ethier. While at Clark AB ('73-'78) I was a student at Wagner High School.
Around '74-'75 I had a thing for going out in the middle of the night and being escorted home by K-9 handlers. It wasn't a sick fetish or anything. I just enjoyed quietly observing the dogs working. And usually got caught. Youth has a way of making a person believe they are outside of reality and can't be hurt. I didn't realize at the time the danger I was putting myself and the handlers in by exposing myself to possible rape, kidnapping, or even death. Naive as all get out.
Anyway, because I had dreams of becoming a dog handler myself, I asked to work at the kennels through the school's vocational training program (PVOT). I talked my best friend, Shirley Rodgers, into going into it with me. We spent about six months in 76-77 school year cleaning the dog pads.
I do need to interject that although we were both tall, well-built, sixteen-year old blondes, we never ever had a problem with the men at the kennels. They were always gentlemen.
Back to the story though.
Strictly instructed not to pet the dogs or try to become friendly with them, we didn't listen. I was inevitably bit by a dog. I don't remember that dog's name for sure but he was at the far corner of the kennel.
I do, however, remember a dog named Ginger. She was a tiny, light-colored shepherd. Very friendly and sweet to us. I also made friends with a new dog named Stormy. I probably spoiled him for K-9 duty.
I remember that I was told that he had lost 15 pounds after arriving there because of the heat. Anyway, he was my favorite. His pad was toward the front of the kennel near an entrance.
One of the saddest memories I had was soon after I started working there. The veterinarian had to put one of the dogs to sleep. I watched the whole thing, it didn't take long. Very sad to see life slip out of a body so quickly. I think the dog's name was Rex.
Anyway, I never became a K-9 handler. Shortly after I stopped working at the kennels I met my husband. Ironically, he was security police and didn't want his girl to be in such a dangerous profession. Oh well, such is life.
Thanks for having the website.
I've enjoyed remembering my time there.

Pam (Thelin) Ethier