Freestate Pet Tracking (2025)

13/09/2025

Joe’s Home, Safe and Sound!

What a joyful reunion in Essex, MD! Four-year-old Joe slipped out on September 2 and spent 10 days exploring his neighborhood. On Thursday, Goose and I tracked Joe’s scent right to a nearby property and recommended a feeding-station plan for Krista and her family.

Less than 24 hours later, success! While Krista and her team were setting up feeding stations and a trail camera, they received an unexpected call: Joe was on the back deck of the house next door to the spot Goose had pinpointed, trying to get inside. When approached, Joe slipped under the deck, but his family patiently and lovingly coaxed him out bit by bit until he finally came to them, purring and ready for home.

Thanks to Krista’s quick action and calm persistence, he was back in her arms by Friday night, eating like crazy and soaking up affection. A huge congratulations to Krista, her family, and of course Joe, who proved once again that indoor kitties can be clever little adventurers. And an extra treat for Goose, who nailed another track with precision.

📍 Essex, MD
🐾 Found Friday evening, 9/12
💚 Team effort: Krista’s family + Goose

Welcome home, Joe!

11/09/2025

The Hero at the Other End of My Leash 🦴🐾

Hi friends, Goose here. Mom’s typing for me, but this story’s mine to tell, because today I want you to know about my dad.

Sure, people say I’m magnificent, fluffy, gorgeous, even majestic (and, come on, look at these ears). But I’m not just a pretty face. Tracking isn’t only about sniffing, it’s about thinking. I’ve got the nose for the job, but I use my brain to figure out where the scent starts, where it fades, and where it leads. Dad trusts my mind as much as my nose. But I’m only half the dream team. The other half is Dad.

He’s calm, smart, patient, and kind. He always gives his time freely to help anyone who needs it. He’s trained in missing pet recovery, goes to seminars, and studies animal behavior so he can help every critter we meet. Dad doesn’t do it for praise. He does it because helping people in crisis is what he was meant to do.

And at home, the bond’s even stronger. When Dad walks through the door, I don’t just wag my tail, I go full rocket mode. Socks, toys, even a Gatorade bottle once (sticky floors, sorry Mom). I wait when he’s gone, shadow him when he’s home, and curl up when he goes to bed. We’re inseparable.

It took Dad a long time to find where he belonged, but he has now. Helping people through a crisis and working with a big goofball like me is what makes his heart sing.

There are a lot of great tracking teams out there, and celebrating them only makes our whole community stronger. I’ll tell you about some of them soon. But first, I want you to know about my favorite team, me and my dad.

What people don’t always see is how much heart Dad puts into this work. All the training, all the study, all the patience, it’s not a checklist. It’s his way of showing up for families when their world feels upside down. Around here, that makes him the quiet hero you want by your side. Well, quiet until I start barking. Then he’s the hero telling me to pipe down.

When Dad and I track, it’s a partnership built on trust, patience, and way too many snacks (for me, not him). We walk into some of the hardest moments families will ever face, and we give it everything we’ve got. Because that’s what Dad does. That’s who he is.

Now you know the guy at the other end of my leash. He’s the steady hand I follow, the partner I trust, and the hero families need when things get hard.

– Goose 🐾

10/09/2025

Victory in Takoma Park! 🎉🐾

After six long days missing from home, TimTim, a small white Persian cat, is finally safe again!

From the very beginning, TimTim’s behavior was unusual. Most cats tend to stick close to home and remain hidden, but TimTim promptly relocated about half a mile from where he belonged and started making bold daytime appearances without a care in the world. That combination of early range and confidence made his case especially challenging and concerning. While patience and persistence can usually turn things around, no one expected him to be home so quickly.

On Wednesday, John and K9 Goose were called in to help. Working from TimTim’s collar, he quickly mapped out a consistent loop of Walnut St, Laurel St, and Eastern Ave in Takoma Park. Within that loop, Goose zeroed in on two critical areas:
👉 A dense patch of bamboo behind an apartment building on Eastern Ave, which looked like a perfect hiding spot.
👉 A strong pull along Walnut St near the 200 block, suggesting TimTim was actively cycling through that neighborhood.

Susan and her family immediately went to work on the recommendations, and just hours later, the phone rang. A neighbor on Walnut St reported their dog had treed TimTim, exactly in the area Goose had highlighted. By the time Susan and her granddaughter arrived, TimTim was safe in the neighbor’s arms, ready to go home.

After a night of eating, resting, and getting cleaned up, TimTim is back to his old life without a scratch. The relief and joy in his family’s voices today said it all.

For Goose, this was an incredible demonstration of his skill and focus. For Susan and her family, it was the payoff for acting quickly and staying engaged with the process. Together, they brought TimTim home.

As a side note, Takoma Park will always hold a special place in my heart. My first tracking dog, Duck, also had a fast recovery here several years ago. Now Goose carries the torch with a victory of his own in the very same community.

Welcome home, TimTim. 💙

"𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴"

10/09/2025

🌟 A Special Reunion Story: Millie is Home!

We’re so thrilled to share a truly heartwarming and unusual reunion story that reminded all of us just how powerful the bond between a dog and her person can be.

Millie, a beautiful and gentle 3-year-old pit bull, went missing last Thursday afternoon in Lynchburg, VA, after a maintenance crew accidentally left the door to her apartment ajar. For nearly two full days, she was on her own. At one point, a sighting placed her two miles from home. That kind of range is often a sign that a dog has slipped into full “survival mode” — the instinctive shift into hyper-cautious, avoidant behavior that can make recovery much more difficult.

But Millie? Millie is different.

At 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, Millie showed up on her family’s Ring doorbell camera. Not only did she recognize where she lived, but she calmly waited at the door for over an hour. It was as if she knew where she belonged. After reviewing the case and talking with Millie’s wonderful owner, we agreed that the best next step wasn’t tracking. Instead, it was troubleshooting and planning. We discussed how to reinforce the safety of home, how to stay alert without scaring Millie off, and how to use calming signals if Caroline ever came face to face with her again.

That call turned out to be perfectly timed. Later that evening, Millie’s Airtag pinged just 0.3 miles from home, near a shaded spot beside a creek. It was a sensible and familiar place for her to settle. Caroline grabbed some treats and followed all the advice we’d discussed. And not long after…

✨ Millie came right to her. Whining, tail wagging, ready to go home. ✨

Caroline gently clipped a leash on, and Millie hopped right into the car. She was dirty, tired, tick-covered, and had some minor injuries. But she was safe, alert, and still very much herself.

It’s hard to describe how rare this kind of outcome is. Dogs who’ve traveled that far, who’ve been gone that long, and who’ve been exposed to the elements like Millie was, almost always retreat deeply into survival behaviors. But Millie’s calm return to home (and later, to her owner) speaks volumes about the extraordinary trust and love between them.

We’re beyond proud of Caroline for her calm, thoughtful handling of this case. She didn’t panic. She didn’t chase. She followed every bit of guidance with incredible care. Millie is now back home recovering, and we couldn’t be happier for them both.

Welcome home, Millie. 💛 You’re a very special girl.

06/09/2025

🐶 Mark your calendars, humans. September 26th is diner night with me, Goose.

🎤 Hey, it’s me, Goose! Don’t even think about microwaving leftovers. I’ve got a better plan.

🍔 Come to Essex Diner between 12 pm and 8 pm. Order food, and 20% goes straight to Bring Em Home Animal Rescue & Trapping Inc. Raffles, adoptable pups, good food, and me probably trying to steal your fries. 🍟

Alright, now pull up a chair and let me tell you the full story… 🎙️

The Bark Side with Goose: Rescue Spotlight

🎤 Welcome to The Bark Side! Here’s the deal: head over to Essex Diner between 12 pm and 8 pm. Order yourself a burger, fries, maybe a slice of pie if you’re classy. And boom, 20% of your meal goes straight to Bring Em Home Animal Rescue & Trapping Inc. That means every bite helps save lost pets.

And listen, I like this event for one very important reason: it takes place around food. I track lost pets, I put my nose to the ground, I work hard… but when there are fries on the table, that’s where you’ll find me. 🍟🎤

Now here’s the scoop. Bring Em Home is powered by Leah Biddinger. She stared down Stage T-4 cancer and beat it. She’s been named a Baltimore County Hometown Hero. She’s the kind of neighbor who runs her block like a pack leader. And after all that, she went and built a rescue that never quits. Talk about overachieving.

No headquarters. No payroll. Just Leah and a crew of fosters and volunteers who trap, foster, transport, scan strays for chips, and reunite families. In four years they’ve found homes for more than 150 dogs and are caring for 12 more right now.

So here’s how you can back them:
🍔 Show up at Essex Diner on September 26th
🎟️ Buy a raffle ticket or five (don’t make me win them all)
🐶 Meet some adoptable pups—ask them about their dating profiles
💸 Eat like you mean it, because every bite counts

Can’t make it to the diner? You can still chip in:
VENMO -
PAYPAL -
ZELLE - 410-622-9527

So skip cooking, eat dessert first, and support the rescue that never quits. I’ll be there, microphone in paw, probably stealing someone’s fries.

05/09/2025

🎉 From Goose’s Kitchen: Special Edition Episode Eight

“Tonight we are cooking up a celebration for my new friend, Nova. She is looking fabulous in her purple bow and bandana, and she finally found her forever home! 💜🐶 We made paw-print cookies to say Welcome Home! Big thanks to Animal Allies Rescue Foundation for making it possible. And the biggest paw-five goes to Lauren and Mike. Congratulations and thank you for adopting! 🐾👏”

⸻

🐾 Goose’s Recipe: Welcome Home Cookies

Ingredients
🐾 1 cup pumpkin purée (plain, not pie filling)
🐾 2 eggs
🐾 1/3 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free only)
🐾 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
🐾 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Instructions
🐾 Preheat oven to 350°F
🐾 Mix pumpkin, eggs, and peanut butter until smooth
🐾 Stir in flour (and cinnamon if using)
🐾 Roll dough 1/4 inch thick
🐾 Cut with paw or bone-shaped cutters
🐾 Place on parchment-lined baking sheet
🐾 Bake 20–25 minutes until golden
🐾 Cool completely before serving

Nova’s Purple Twist
Top with a smear of mashed blueberries or purple sweet potato. It looks like icing, matches Nova’s purple vibe, and is safe for pups. 💜🐶

30/08/2025

🎙️ Tonight’s guest is Fiesta! He is 2.5 years old, a certified blockhead with a grin that wins over everyone he meets. He spent 4 long months in the shelter before BEHART pulled him on a final plea, because that was way too long for a good boy like this. Now he is safe, but he has been in boarding since December, so he is still waiting for his forever couch 🛋️.

Goose: “Fiesta, rumor is you are fetch-obsessed. Any truth to that?”
Fiesta: “Completely true. Balls, sticks, frisbees, I will even chase the neighbor’s flip flop if you throw it.”
Goose: “Respect. I would too.”

Goose: “What are your dealbreakers?”
Fiesta: “Cats. Small kids. Basically anything that might cramp my style.”
Goose: “Fair. I have met cats. Not impressed.”

Goose: “What do people get if they take you home?”
Fiesta: “You get a hiking buddy 🥾, a cuddle machine 🐶, and lifetime tech support.”
Goose: “Wait… explain.”
Fiesta: “My adoption includes 4 weeks of board and train plus lifetime trainer support.”
Goose: “That is more than most humans get when they move in together.”

👉 Why Fiesta rocks:
✔️ Plays catch like a pro 🎾
✔️ Leash-trained and loves exploring 🌲
✔️ Shelter and staff favorite — he went on daycations as the go-to hiking buddy
✔️ Polite with calm dogs (slow intros recommended)
❌ No cats
❌ No small kids

🐶 Fiesta has already waited long enough. Let’s finish his story and get him home ❤️. Imagine your weekends with him: morning hikes, evening fetch, and blockhead cuddles on your couch.

💡 Before you go, check the comments for our blooper reel 📸. Fiesta had some unscripted moments you will not want to miss.

Apply here to foster or adopt:
Foster: https://form.jotform.com/lmg516/behart-foster-application
Adopt: https://form.jotform.com/lmg516/behart-adoption-application

30/08/2025

👋🐾 Hello friends and family, welcome to something new…

I, Goose, have officially taken on a new job as a late-night talk show host. 🎙️ My mom apparently has too much free time and thought this would be hilarious, so now here we are: desk, microphone, spotlight, the whole deal.

We’re calling it The Bark Side with Goose.
Every episode I’ll be sitting down with special guests. Sometimes fellow rescue dogs looking for homes, sometimes just fun friends with good stories to tell.

My first guest is already lined up and ready, so stay tuned… things are about to get interesting over here.

🐕✨ Welcome to The Bark Side!

TheBarkSideWithGoose

29/08/2025

🐾 From Goose’s Kitchen: Episode 7 – Welcome Home, Bruno 🐾

Hi friends, Goose here. Today’s kitchen guest is Bruno! Bruno is a big, fluffy boy who knows what he likes and what he does not. He loves squeaky toys, playing ball, and being with his people 💜. He does not love peanut butter, being left alone….or cats and goats 😉.

Since moving into his forever home with Jennifer, James, and the twins - Nick and William, Bruno has fully settled into family life. He even managed to wedge himself halfway through a cat door before muscling the rest of the way in. That is commitment.

So today, I baked him something peanut butter free to celebrate: Cheddar & Apple Dog Biscuits 🧀🍎

⸻

🧀 Cheddar & Apple Dog Biscuits

Ingredients
• 1 cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup finely diced apple (no seeds)
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2–3 tablespoons water, as needed

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix flour, cheese, and apple in a bowl.
3. Add egg and olive oil. Stir until dough forms, adding water if needed.
4. Roll out to ¼ inch thick and cut into shapes.
5. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until golden and crisp. Cool before serving.

⸻

Bruno may not fit through cat doors gracefully 🚪🐕 but he fits perfectly in his new home and in all of our hearts. Welcome home, buddy! ❤️

23/08/2025

Professional Pet Trackers & Freestate Pet Tracking are pleased to announce that Buttons is home safely after five days in 𝗔𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗘, 𝗩𝗔‼️

Buttons, a 𝟭𝟳 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 cat with no previous experience being outdoors initiated her escape through a door which had been left ajar and exhibiting very typical behavior, secured a great hiding spot and vanished from sight.

On 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟯, John and K9 Goose were brought out to the area to help sort out where Buttons had gone and to develop a plan to secure her - ideally before the 4th of July festivities began in her neighborhood.

Goose quickly picked up Buttons’ scent and it was clear that she had not ventured far from home but rather to the rear of the home across the street I a densely wooded space. Once the work was wrapped up, we advised her owners on placement of traps and scent materials with the goal of securing her as quickly as possible given the commotion which was likely to occur in the coming days with the holiday approaching. A trap was placed at home as well as one in the space Goose had identified during the track, connecting the two spaces with a liberal application of chum.

Waiting patiently for several hours, Buttons’ owner spotted her moving late at night along the chum trail where she disappeared into a small hole by the foundation of the next door neighbors’ house. A trap was relocated to this point and after several hours, Buttons entered the trap, ultimately retiring home no worse for the wear!

03/04/2025

We didn’t expect to be sharing this kind of news today, but life never moves along as we think it will and today is no exception. Sadly, Freestate Tracking’s first tracking K9, Duck passed away suddenly this morning after a brief illness.��

Duck came to us on February 3, 2020, just before the start of COVID by way of our dear friend, Leah Biddinger of Bring Em Home Animal Rescue & Trapping Inc. Duck had been a stray, running for at least several weeks in the eastern part of Baltimore County, evading capture until Leah became involved. He was ultimately secured on January 28th 2020 when he entered a yard to play with another dog. After clearing his stray hold at Baltimore County Animal Services, he came to our family as a temporary foster but quickly became an integral part of our family, instantly bonding with our daughter Eve (7 years old at the time) and becoming a permanent member of our family on March 7, 2020.

As COVID ramped up, we became more involved with missing pet recovery, developing a strong working relationship with Carmen Brothers of Professional Pet Trackers who encouraged us to follow our longstanding dream of training a tracking dog by training Duck for this work. This pursuit was an amazing project for all of us. Friends and family all helped us along the path, training Duck to achieve things that he would never otherwise have had the chance to do. As a stray who had been abandoned by his previous owners in the dead of winter, Duck’s story was inspirational as he worked to reunite families, having successfully located a cat during his very first track in January 2021, less than a year after being brought in as a stray.��

Duck’s career was a bit short lived though as it was clear he coveted retirement. He did great work, but his body language always indicated that he was only working because I was asking him to and he was always prepared to call it a day! His nose was precise and his talent undeniable, but he just wasn’t into the whole working thing. In that sense, he is everyone’s spirit animal!��

In his retirement, he enjoyed undying love and devotion from all of us, but particularly from our daughter Eve. We used to tease her that she ruined a perfectly good tracking dog by constantly kissing his butt, but he certainly ate up the luxury and paid back her generosity with incredible friendship. Every time we’d buy Eve a new blanket for her bed, within a week or two it was added to Duck’s dog bed. He sleeps on a pile of no less than 15 blankets every night. For years he has followed her everywhere, sleeping in her room and watching over her around the clock. Their bond superseded the bond I had with him as my working dog and as devastated as we all are by this loss, its Eve who has clearly lost her best friend.��

Thank you Duck. Thank you for teaching all of us. Thank you for working with me. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for taking me places I would have otherwise never seen. Thank you for trusting me when I took you places you probably didn’t want to go. Thank you for always doing your very best no matter the circumstances. Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for being a friend to all of us. Thank you for the memories, being a hero and for proving beyond a doubt that no matter their origin, all strays have the potential to become something larger than themselves. We will always miss you and will always love you, friend.

31/03/2025

😂

Freestate Pet Tracking

13/09/2025

11/09/2025

10/09/2025

10/09/2025

06/09/2025

05/09/2025

30/08/2025

30/08/2025

29/08/2025

23/08/2025

03/04/2025

31/03/2025

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