Update:  Alexander Grant was found by search personnel Tuesday, March 8, 2011. K-9 Ripley and I were at the scene working when divers working from the shoreline discovered his body in a creek.   Ripley and I had just begun our assignment. Searching a small  overgrown field next to the stream. Ripley gave her trained water indication on the shore nearby a few minutes before he was actually discovered but it was such a small area, finding him was inevitable. I can’t say Ripley and I made much of a difference on this search.  But the search means a lot to me personally. I got back to The Family Foundation School the next day and looked that the 12 seniors in my Sociology Class.  They are all safe while I have them at the school but soon they will be on their own, getting involved in all the things college students do. Fun things that do not seem all that risky at the time. God protect them all. My heartfelt condolences to the family of Alexander Grant.

On Tuesday, March 8, 2011 EVDOGS will join the search for Alexander Grant,19 year old from Westchester who was last seen early Sunday morning. According to media coverage. Grant left a party at Skidmore college on Saturday night and did not return. After he was reported missing, police found surveillance video coverage of him at a local medical building where he apparently tried to break in. The video footage shows him wearing shorts, one sock and a t-shirt.

I got a call this morning from DEC Lt. John Solan and we discussed the case.  Only one NYSFEDSAR K-9 team was able to respond today, Lew Decker and his trailing dog, Otis from Team 5-1 in nearby Fulton County. Snow and freezing rain throughout the state made travel too hazardous for the rest of us to go. Tomorrow, the weather will be better.

I spent most of the day moving back and forth between my regular routine and search preparations; checking my email and my phone to see if there was any word. Calling other K-9 teams.  Running through my mental check lists for my gear and the dogs’ gear. Conditions are not good for searching. Over a foot of snow has come down since he went missing.  The dogs will be sinking in up to their chests and will tire easily. Handlers will have it a little easier. We will be wearing snowshoes.  I will be taking K9′s Raven and Ripley.  Karen Pardini will be bringing Suki.

Everything’s packed. We are ready to go out.  Now its time to get some sleep. The dogs watched me prepare all evening. They know whats up and they are excited. We’ll do our best. Will keep you posted.