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CARRIE’S TRIBUTE TO ROCKY I want to give tribute to Rocky in 2 ways today: First, to tell you all who only know me as Mishka’s Of special meaning to me personally, is that he took the time to let me know that he was experiencing the amazing partnership that I had told him he would when I Professionally, the things he was doing with Mishka for both wildlife and the public and especially children and communities, were groundbreaking- He was pushing the envelope as much as any of us have done with our dogs to gain the most from their mutual love of their work---and he and Mishka were just continuing to get better, taking on new challenges, and figuring out new things they could do together to help wildlife and improve the way wildlife managers do their job. I am so proud of what he and that dog have done. He left his mark on our publics, our wildlife managers, and our communities wherever he went- be it the bank or helping the sheriffs in town or letting Mishka walk into a roomful of kids where he would just let him walk around and touch each child and in doing so, as a team, they touched the children’s lives forever. He and Mishka are definitely loved by everyone that meets them. He seemed to always take the time to connect in a meaningful way- no matter what he did. And he let As a wildlife biologist, as I have gone forward with this Program, it has become increasingly obvious to me that one of the most meaningful things we are doing with the “Partners-In-Life” Program, beyond figuring out how to teach bears safe and effective lessons to save their lives, is the huge jump we have made as scientists, to work with both managers and publics and especially children who are willing to believe in what is Good, to teach them how to communicate with animals and people on a different level. It is the cornerstone of our work, and Carrie Hunt, Director The following is for You, Mishka, and all your human and canine partners and friends…for you have made many working with Rocky, and you are loved. Rocky sent me this e-mail in the spring of 2006 after I had sent him the long awaited word of which pup I had chosen for Rich Beausoleil- his counterpart on the east side of the state: From: Rocky Spencer [spencrds@DFW.WA.GOV] Carrie, I agree…(with your choice for Rich, Cash)…is the perfect dog and a great fit for Rich. I remember the "early days" with Mishka and working through the commands, training on bear scat and a bear paw, dragging the paw along the ground and then getting him out of the house and watching him work his way to the paw. It was like a game to both of us....I did my best to snake it through the brush, twists and turns, and much as I tried......he would always find it! We both grew together, I am certain he taught me as much as I taught him....probably more. I learned to read him- his demeanor, actions, and reactions. You so often ask yourself..........god I hope this is right, I hope he learns, I hope he will respond when the bear is there and I know I need to trust his judgment. Then the small successes grow to large ones, sometimes I felt we were going backwards, then we would take two steps forward......then forward with leaps and bounds! Then one day, largely without knowing what is going to happen, it all comes together. I watch him chasing a bear with a beauty, power, and grace that still remains. He knew.....that I knew, we both made it! Since, there have been many successes and many more to come. But, there is no greater reward than when you see you see your "partner" place himself between you and the bear, basically in harms way, to protect you. Then all he asks is for a small treat, some love, and maybe a special "steak dinner". If you gave him nothing....he would do the same thing the next day. He has changed the way I do my job and changed me. I am better because of him… he brings joy to me and all those that meet him! Can you ask anymore from anyone........or any dog. He is a KBD..........and what he does is put himself into the "Ring of Fire" each and every time I ask. I know Rich will experience this too! Great job on this litter and raising the pups. Take Care
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“Grandmother”, what Rocky meant to me personally and to the work we are doing working with canine partners- our Karelian Bear Dogs, to bridge the gap between humans and wildlife. Second, as I should- to read an e-mail Rocky recently sent to me- for Mishka to hear and know, and for all of you to hear…. It is a final word from Rocky for his canine partner. This comes from my heart, with love from Rocky, and it is my job to give it to Mishka. 
placed “Mishka Puppy” as he called his canine partner, with him… To get there I had said, “This means believing in Mishka’s intelligence and partnership and working toward it day after day, and treating him like an individual that just doesn’t speak English”. That came naturally to Rocky. The e-mail I will read was to let me know that at 3 years of age for Mishka and 54 years of age for Rocky, Rocky and Mishka had come of age as I said they would. That is who Rocky was, he let me know… From the time I placed the pup with him, for 4 years, a couple times each month, as he came out of the field, he would track me down wherever I was in the field- by cell phone to tell me another wonderful Mishka story about their successes, their discoveries, and he would tell me of his love for the dog… 
work through any hang ups with their training of each other, and we shared in the discoveries of communicating with animals at a higher level….I thank him from the bottom of my heart and soul…He was a loyal friend, top working partner and outstanding KBD Family member… the best I could ask for. 
folks know that they mattered to him. For me, he let me know with his work and friendship and love of Mishka that what I am doing with our Partners-In-Life Program mattered to him personally, Mishka, the public and wildlife in general. During the daily grind to try to find funds to continue our Program, he helped to put the steel in my backbone to continue to make these one-in-a-million canine partnerships happen with other people and to continue to develop the use of wildlife service dogs to improve our wildlife management techniques… 
the language that we are teaching will hopefully change the science of wildlife management and people’s lives…forever. The significance of this change reached to both our cores and touches all of those we work with.
never live. He LIVED! I will miss him, but I will carry him with me as a cornerstone in my heart. My team will work on in his name as his legacy and the Wind River Pack will dance with the bears and howl for him.