Sargeant (Sarge)
Type: Queensland Heeler/Australian Shepherd Mix
Born: 2000
Height: 20"
Weight: 60 lbs.
Color: Blue Merle w/ Black Mask
Position: Herding Dog
Sarge used to be a search & rescue dog with the Riverside Sherrif's Department. He has a birth certificate with the name "Muffin", but when he was a deputy his name was "Splinter". His handler worked with him for a short time (long enough to teach Sarge many manners and commands) but then moved to Germany. At this point they retired Sarge because they like the dogs to be as loyal as possible. They didn't know Sargeant very well.
He was placed with a woman in Sierra Madre that recues Australian breeds of dog. She found him a good home with a retired truck driver who named him Sargeant. Sarge and the trucker were good buddies until the day they got into a traffic accident. The man was killed. Sarge had to be cut out with the jaws of life. He has a mild epilepsy and we assume that it was the trauma of the crash that caused it.
Sargeant was put back into the hands of the rescue lady who placed her with Kim Kelly, former pack station owner. Sarge took a liking to Greg, and Greg took a liking to Sarge. When Kim sold the pack station to the Burgesses in 2006, Sarge and Greg came with the sale. Now that Greg is not at the pack station full time, Sarge lives with Sue.
A funny thing about Sarge is that he had to be taught to herd donkeys by Kim's dog, a Miniature Schnauser named Cody. However, it didn't take long for him to learn, as Sargeant is amazingly smart. If you come for a visit, we warn against the use of the words "hot dog" and "Frisbee".