Jodi Johnson sees more than a pet in her dogs; she sees life companions and cherished family members. For Ms. Johnson, the bond formed with these four-legged companions is unparalleled.
Having recently returned to work with the State Emergency Service (SES) after a year-long hiatus, Ms. Johnson is still grappling with the grief of losing her beloved bloodhound, Tiny, in 2021. The pain is evident as she struggles to discuss Tiny’s passing, emphasizing the profound impact the canine had on her life.
Based in Albany, four hours south of Perth, Ms. Johnson has dedicated over a decade to working with scent tracker dogs to aid in locating missing individuals. However, the loss of Tiny led her to step back from the SES, unable to continue without her loyal companion. The emotional toll was significant, and Ms. Johnson decided to leave behind a part of her life that felt incomplete without Tiny.
Enter T-Bone, a new beginning in Ms. Johnson’s journey. A year after Tiny’s disappearance, Ms. Johnson learned of a litter of bloodhound puppies born in the eastern states. Initially hesitant, she asked the breeder to record the puppies’ interactions on video. T-Bone stood out, displaying an insatiable determination to find more treats even after others lost interest.
At 18 months old, T-Bone, still very much a puppy, has undergone official training as a scent tracker dog for the past four months. Ms. Johnson highlights the unique traits of bloodhounds that make them ideal for locating missing persons, including their wrinkled faces acting like blinkers to help focus on scents. Their jowls store scents like a filing cabinet, and their large, flapping ears assist in directing smells toward their nose.
Ms. Johnson and T-Bone constitute the only scent tracking pair in the Great Southern region. She envisions similar teams becoming more common in regional areas, recognizing the demanding nature of their work but emphasizing the critical role they play in time-sensitive situations. T-Bone’s ability to navigate challenging terrains inaccessible to humans makes him an invaluable asset.
Beyond his search and rescue duties, T-Bone enjoys playful days on the farm and quality time with his family during his off-duty hours. Ms. Johnson, still in the process of understanding her furry companion, expresses optimism about their future, confident that T-Bone will be an asset to the community, especially as they approach the summer season.
