Hello Mr.Shields. My name is Wako
and I live in Japan. I am 15 years old. I was moved to tears by
your wonderful book. Actually, i have a golden retriever too. Her
name is Maple. she cant do anything compared to Bear's great work.
i was very impressed!!!
I heard sbout 9.11 on the news in Japan. I was
very wooried because I used to live in Michigan . Though, I did
not know that many brave people and dogs were working for dears
life. I cannot imagine how hard it was. You and bear always thought
for others and took action for others and actually saved many people.
i think that is amazing and most people can't do that easily.
Because of your loving care, I think that bear lived a full life.
i also think that Bear is the most brave and cool dog ever!!!!
You and Bear will always be my great role model.
You and Bear taught me to always think of others and cooperate
with others. i think that most of the japanese people don't know
how hard it was (9.11) for the Americans and alot of brave people
worked for others. If you don't mind, i wouls like to write a
report about you and Bear and your book.
Thank you for sharing me your wonderful book.
also thank you very muchfor taking time to read
this. I'm sorry that my English is poor. I hope that you are having
great times with theodore.
Thank you and take care,
Wako
Hello Scott,
I did not know you (or Bear!) before I saw... the
title of the book in one of your photos and that led me on a long
(online) journey back through the story of heroism that you and
Bear displayed in such a critical moment of our collective consciousness.
We never do know how we will react until we are put to the test...
you and Bear most certainly rose to the challenge in an incredible
way as did so many other heroes. I'm sure you have heard all manner
of acclamation but I feel compelled to add my own as well and
to say a most personal thank you. Animals respond to love in the
purest way by their selfless loyalty and self-sacrificing protection
and give us a blueprint for what we need to learn to treat one
another by how they react to us. But even though much of their
behaviour is instinctive, nevertheless, they still respond unabashedly
and unselfconsciously with every fiber of their whole beings to
how we treat them. Therefore, their behaviour is very much a testament
to their owners.
What I'm trying to say in a very long-winded way
is that your role in Bear's heroism seems to take a back seat
in all the narratives I read (because that's what you chose to
emphasize or more accurately, to de-emphasize) but I believe it's
very clear that he would never have reached the fulfillment of
his tremendous potential if it weren't for you and your training
and placing yourself and him at the scene immediately and without
concern for your own safety to perform the tremendous acts of
heroism which were done on a daily basis by you both.
We all so desperately need heroes... maybe now
more than ever. We think of a hero as someone larger than life,
who cannot be bested by evil or hatred or death. But in fact,
those realities may inevitably prevail for a time... the heroism
lies in the spirit not being vanquished in the face of such overwhelming
odds and sustaining itself yet another day to go on and to give
hope to someone else not to give up. I have just recently lost
someone who was my own personal hero of a lifetime a few months
ago but I carry with me an example of a life so well lived and
so richly blessed by a selfless concern for others, not only family
and friends, but all those who are so much less fortunate.. it
gives me such a strong sense of hope that someone like yourself
can see through the fog of disillusionment and fear and panic
and find a reason to continue in the face of overwhelming loss
and set up something so positive and rewarding as the foundation
which you have created to promote that life-preserving perspective.
A long way around to get to saying thank you!
Best regards,
Mary Jane
18th July 2005
Scott...'tis truly an honor to have learned of
you and Bear and the other search and rescue dogs. I have just
finished your book about Bear and have been truly moved by the
story of Bear's work and the close relationship you had with him.
I remember seeing among all the news coverage of 9/11, film of
a golden in some type of gurney hanging from a cable being pulled
over a deep gap in the debris of the Towers. I don't know if that
was Bear but I remember being moved by that image. I remember
seeing trucks and car loaded with donations of dog food brought
in for the rescue dogs...the little triage tents set up for the
dogs, the vets, etc. I remember all of that. And then to read
your book...all those images came flooding back. What an incredible
contribution the dogs made in their work during that time....and
also their owners/handlers...and of course all the firemen, rescue
workers, police, etc.
I want to thank you for sharing the story of Bear,
Honey and Theodore with the rest of us. I have dogs too, two little
Pomeranians. They are the love of my life so I think I understand
the closeness you had/have with your dogs. Dogs are some of the
most, if not THE most, special creatures God ever created and
the relationships that we humans are able to have with them still
moves me to tears when I think about it. I never want to be without
dogs in my life.
I am both saddened and angry at the fact that Bear
died how and when he did...that hatred in men's hearts created
a situation that brought so much sadness and destruction to so
many people's lives. It's always so hard to lose a good friend
but if you're like me, the joy of having dogs in my life outweighs
the pain of losing them, regardless of the circumstances. It's
almost an honor to share one's life with a dog.
Again, I thank you for sharing your story, your
photos of you, Honey, Bear and his littermates, and Theodore.
I will never forget your story.
God bless you,
Vicki Nelson-Flores
July 11th, 2005
Dear Scott,
My husband and I were vacationing in Door County,
Wisconsin last week and were approached by two wonderful firefighters
who were collecting donations for their fundraiser. One of the
firefighters was wearing his Bear t-shirt and I offered him money
for the "shirt off his back", but it was obviously too valuable
to him. He did, however, inform me of your website, so here I
am. I would like to order your wonderful book as well as three
(3) mock turtleneck sweatshirts for loved ones. Please let me
know the sizes available. Thanks to you and Bear for all you have
done for this country.
God bless you.
Mary Domes
August 12th, 2004
Captain Shields:
I had the pleasure of meeting you and Theodore
at the Shoe Box in Black Earth, Wisconsin, on August 4th. I purchased
a copy of your book, and you were kind enough to autograph it
for me.
Thank you for writing the book. I could not put
it down, and stayed up through the night to finish it. It is obvious
you put your heart and soul into it. I can't remember when I've
been so moved, and still have trouble putting it out of my mind.
Bear will indeed live on in the hearts of those who knew him....even
those of us who only met him through your words.
I look forward to the possibility of bumping into
you and Theodore again someday! Until then, peace.....
Andrea Jennings
June 28th, 2004
BearSearch and Rescue;
Thank you so very much for your prompt response
to a request for transportation.
Moose and I were contacted at 10:00 am on June
22 by USFS Law Enforcement Officer Cindy Gradin for assistance
to help locate a missing Forest Service employee up on the Big
Horn National Forest, near Sheridan, WY.
Initially the K-9 and handler were requested by
LEO Gradin. The original information provided by Officer Gradin
was, a female Forest Service employee was reported missing June
22 after she did not return from her day in the field on June
21.
It is WY State statue that all search and rescues
are the responsibility of the County Sheriff, therefore the Sheridan
County Sheriff took command of the search and rescue.
We were placed on standby until the vehicle was
located. Without the assistance of an airplane to transport the
k-9 and handler, it would have been a 7 hour drive to get to the
Big Horn National Forest and additional time would have been necessary
depending on where the vehicle was located.
A very special thank you to Scott, for your dedication
and assistance finding air transportation to help expedite our
response time. From the time I contacted Scott, it was less than
an hour before I received a call from Civil Air Patrol (Col. Morgan),
saying they had a pilot on standby that would be able to transport
myself and my K-9 from Laramie, WY to Sheridan, WY.
Circumstances surrounding the location of the missing
female are not available at this time. The missing female was
located around 1:30 PM, June 22.
Cathy Orde, K-9 Special Deputy ACSO
and K-9 Moose
June 19th, 2004
Dear Mr. Shields,
I just finished your book about Bear, it was very
moving. I just wanted to relay to you how I first encountered
Bear and what he came to mean in my life.
As a Nurse, here in New Jersey, I was working on
9/11 and witnessed the events w/ patients and staff on the unit
I manage, an acute adult psychiatric unit of a small community
hospital. And while chaos initially reined in that first hour
the hospital and my staff really worked as a team. We followed
the disaster protocols and made new ones up as we went along.
The biggest initial impact was managing the staff reactions (who
had loved ones at the Trade Center) and the reactions of local
residents and sadly as the day progressed the unimaginable realization
that the massive casualties we were prepared to receive would
not be coming™the message relayed to the staff was that NYC had
ordered 30,000 body bags and to be ready for walk ins only who
made it home for minor injuries or crisis counseling.
I had decided after watching the 2nd tower fall
that I no longer needed to watch the disaster unfold and to focus
my efforts in caring for my patients and the staff. The only television
coverage I watched was the Presidents speech later that evening.
I allowed the staff to keep the TV on 24/7 but in the lounge™.sometimes
w/ the sound off but I personally refused to watch it, choosing
to only focus on my work or read accounts in the paper.
On the afternoon of 9/12, I took a break in the
lounge and just sat quietly collecting my thoughts when I looked
up to the screen and saw Bear...I don't know why but I assumed
he was abandoned and lost and I then began to finally cry. He
looked tired but determined and it wasn't until I turned up the
volume that I realized what his mission was™It moved me to contact
local shelters that weekend about adopting a pet whose owner did
not return home and refocused me on the magnitude of the tragedy
and how I could even begin make even small difference.
And while we did find a pet in need, it redoubled
my effort to add to our rescues (all dogs) at home. We had had
Jack (the dog), Kodie Bear and Casey Baby and had just lost Jack
and eventually adopted Velvet Muffin. I also had the good fortune
to be able to volunteer and provide crisis counseling in New Jersey'
Liberty Sate Park and and encountered all the therapy dogs that
were volunteering their time to heal us all. Bear started all
of that for me and his valiant story has moved me ever sense.
Velvet is in training to be a therapy dog.
About 2 weeks after 9/11 I had discovered that
I was pregnant for the first time and truly believed it was a
miracle. Sadly, I lost that baby in November 2001. When I eventually
saw and ordered your book, I tried to read it several times out
of respect for Bear and all the heroes (canine and human) of that
day and could not. It wasn't until today that I was able to finish™today
I am twelve weeks/5days pregnant and beleive as you do that his
spirit lives on as does his work in every way™ Please give Theodore(able)
a big kiss for me and know that I will continue to share Bear's
story and to support your efforts and the foundation™.Thank you,
Maripat Alger Cottone, Kodie, Casey and Velvet.
Dear Scott,
I hope it is fine to call you that as I feel a
real kinship, because, like you I share a special kind of relationship
with a partner dog. My Mastiff, Laz is the best co-psychotherapist
I have ever worked with. We watched your story and I just had
to find an address to let you know how moved I was by the images
of you and Bear, together. I had never heard the whole story and
my heart just felt so full finding out what you were able to do.
I don't pretend to know how.
I want to thank you and tell you how much I admire
what you and Bear did for so many. I'm sorry I never had the opportunity
to meet Bear but watching the story, I will never forget either
of you.
Linda and Laz Rice-Mandigo
Scott and Theodore, Thank you.
Little did I know, when I spoke to you at the NY
State Fire Chiefs Convention, that you would open my eyes even
more as to what really happened during the rescue efforts of 9/11.
As the wife and mother of firefighters and EMTs, I have often
wondered what my role would have been had they actually been allowed
to 'go to the scene' to lend their help. Within hours of the initial
attack on the World Trade Center, our upstate counties sent out
an alert for any available fire and medical personnel to prepare
to leave for ground zero. Wives are not supposed to stand in the
way. We are usually the ones to pack the bags and load the cars.
My husband Mike, was ready willing and able and suitably packed
and ready to go. Unfortunately, our group was not chosen because
too many people were already responding and overloading the NYC
area. Mike still feels remorse for not jumping into his personal
vehicle and responding on his own.
I asked you for permission to talk about Bear and the book on
our Onondaga County Volunteer Firemen's Association Website. www.ocvfa.com.
I would like to add a link to our site directing people to your
site. Is that still okay? The book that you autographed for me
has already started to make the rounds. I have asked each person
that reads the book to please add their name and address to the
inside back cover. I would love to send it back to you so full
that there would be no more room for signatures.
Thank you again for taking the time to sit and
talk with us at the Fire Chiefs Convention. It truly was an eye
opening experience.
In Friendship and Awe,
S J Andrews
CEO Andrews Associates
New York
I just finished your book (actually read in one
sitting since I couldn't put it down) and had to tell you how
moved I was at what an incredible dog you had. I never had a dog
until after 9/11 when almost a year later all of the experiences
of the day and its aftermath hit me. Many of those concerned for
me after I decided to take a 3 month medical leave from work
convinced me to get a dog. I think it was more because of the
need to have a constant companion but I never had any idea what
a profound influence he would have on my life.
Thank you and Bear for your selflessness and for
champioining the importance of the great heroes — the rescue
dogs!
I've read a lot of books about that day but none
that provided such a candid story about humanity, both good and
bad. Thank you for sharing your story and for your continued good
works!
Best,
Helene and Poochie
Helene Heller
Senior Director
Project & Information Management
NYCHA
Mr. Shields,
While looking for canine search and rescue organizations
on the internet, I was fortunate enough to find Bear's Tribute(s).
First, may I express my deepest sympathies for your loss and give
you and Bear my utmost respect. Probably, me, more than anyone
feels your loss. Just losing my main Golden, Gunner, 12/29 to
hemangiosarcoma, before that losing my top competitor Troop 6/19
to lymphoma my heart has been ripped and torn and then repeated.
In 1999, just after leaving to go train some of my Goldens, our
house caught fire and was gutted. I had left 3 of my Goldens and
a little Cocker Spaniel that we rescued months before inside,
because of the heat outside. They all died in the fire.
I love my Goldens as my own children. They have
earned respect and an outstanding reputation around the country
for their intelligence, drive, water attitudes and of course,
their unmistakeable Golden noses.
My reasons for looking up search and rescue sites
was to hopefully contact someone who could help me out with some
information. I currently have an outstanding litter of top field
line Goldens and have held some of them back, in hopes to get
them involved in a respectable search and rescue program. I have
never dealt with search and rescue myself, but two other Goldens
from previous litters are search and rescue dogs in Canada. These
Goldens have the foundation to make wonderful prospects for K-9
SAR, and I would be honored if there was a contact or an organization
that I could donate these pups to.
I have had several of my Goldens earn field competition
titles, agility titles, tracking titles and some that are being
used for drug dogs in airports or with law enforcement agencies.
I truly believe these Goldens have what it takes to succeed and
contribute to SAR. If there is any information that you could
pass along to me, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you in advance,
Sincerely,
Kyle Davis
Goldrun Retrievers
www.goldrunretrievers.com
Dear Scott,
I met you at the AKC dog show at Fort Washington,
Pa this past year. It was the last day of the show during the
"Best Of Show" (I was leaving early to avoid the crowds). Being
an extreme dog lover, I stopped to pet your dog Theodore and another
search and rescue dog. We all chatted and I of course was very
taken by Theodore. I have four dogs of my own and have several
litters each year. My dogs are truly my world and they give so
unconditionally. Anyway....I am getting side tracked as to why
I am e-mailing you.
Scott, I read your book, Bear Heart Of A Hero.
This book so moved me and there wasn't a chapter that went by
where I did not shed a tear. As a kid, my brothers and I grew
up with Dobermans. The last Doberman my family had was Hans. He
was a remarkable dog and when he passed it was the saddest of
days. He very much related to the family as one of us. After Hans
died, I wanted to get into dog training of some sort. I pursued
the Lower Merion Police Department where I made it through the
preliminary testing. Sadly to say I did not continue because I
was approached by an officer of the department who told me that
it was a tough field for women and that my chances of succeeding
were slim (if I only knew then what I know now!). I went on to
get my Criminal Justice degree and went into the Social Services.
Today, things certainly have changed regarding women in the field!!!!
I admire what you do and have done and know the
passion and love that you feel for your dogs. I have since donated
your book to one of the elementary schools in my area and hope
that it touches many lives as it touched mine.
Katy Tait
Dear Mr. Shields,
I just finished your book about Bear, it was very
moving. I just wanted to relay to you how I first encountered
Bear and what he came to mean in my life.
As a Nurse, here in New Jersey, I was working on
9/11 and witnessed the events w/ patients and staff on the unit
I manage, an acute adult psychiatric unit of a small community
hospital. And while chaos initially reined in that first hour
the hospital and my staff really worked as a team.
We followed the disaster protocols and made new
ones up as we went along. The biggest initial impact was managing
the staff reactions (who had loved ones at the Trade Center) and
the reactions of local residents and sadly as the day progressed
the unimaginable realization that the massive casualties we were
prepared to receive would not be coming. The message relayed to
the staff was that NYC had ordered 30,000 body bags and to be
ready for walk-ins only who made it home for minor injuries or
crisis counseling.
I had decided after watching the 2nd tower fall
that I no longer needed to watch the disaster unfold and to focus
my efforts in caring for my patients and the staff. The only television
coverage I watched was the Presidents speech later that evening.
I allowed the staff to keep the TV on 24/7 but in the lounge..sometimes
w/ the sound off but I personally refused to watch it, choosing
to only focus on my work or read accounts in the paper.
On the afternoon of 9/12, I took a break in the
lounge and just sat quietly collecting my thoughts when I looked
up to the screen and saw Bear.I don't know why but I assumed he
was abandoned and lost and I then began to finally cry. He looked
tired but determined and it wasn't until I turned up the volume
that I realized what his mission was.It moved me to contact local
shelters that weekend about adopting a pet whose owner did not
return home and refocused me on the magnitude of the tragedy and
how I could even begin make even small difference.
And while we did find a pet in need, it redoubled
my effort to add to our rescues (all dogs) at home. We had had
Jack (the dog), Kodie Bear and Casey Baby and had just lost Jack
and eventually adopted Velvet Muffin. I also had the good fortune
to be able to volunteer and provide crisis counseling in New Jersey'
Liberty Sate Park and and encountered all the therapy dogs that
were volunteering their time to heal us all. Bear started all
of
that for me and his valiant story has moved me ever sense. Velvet
is in training to be a therapy dog.
About 2 weeks after 9/11 I had discovered that
I was pregnant for the first time and truly believed it was a
miracle. Sadly, I lost that baby in November 2001. When I eventually
saw and ordered your book, I tried to read it several times out
of respect for Bear and all the heroes (canine and human) of that
day and could not. It wasn't until today that I was able to finish.
Today I am twelve weeks/5days pregnant and beleive as you do that
his
spirit lives on as does his work in every way. Please give Theodore(able)
a big kiss for me and know that I will continue to share Bear's
story and to support your efforts and the foundation.
Thank you,
Maripat Alger Cottone, Kodie, Casey and Velvet
