But, after 11 years and over 100 search and rescue operations, it's time for Copper Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) dog Hasty to retire. He has begrudgingly, though quietly, handed over the reins to little buddy, and fellow Golden Retriever, "Sandy." Well-known in avalanche rescue circles, Hasty, with his keen sense of smell and diligence in the face of adversity has located more than 35 victims and though his magic nose is still in fine shape, physically, it's finally time for him to lead the dog's life.

Here is Copper Mountain Ski Patrol Supervisor and SAR Dog Handler Patti Burnett's fond memories of her prize dog, Hasty.

I'll never forget the day in 1986 when we brought Hasty home from the kennel and from there, things only got better. The first glimpse I got of his fearlessness, strength and patience was when he was about one year old. Working an old trail in high 90° temperatures on the Front Range in Colorado, Hasty somehow managed to get himself trapped in a steep concrete irrigation ditch with swift running water. Swept a mile along the underground pipe, Hasty, I was sure, was forever lost. But, like a spawning salmon, he was able to swim back, against the current, and to the surface.

Patti and Hasty

It was actually my navigator who was lost that day. After I had to belay him down to grab Hasty's harness, he quit search and rescue. But, I knew then that Hasty, who was fine, and I were in it for the long haul.

The first avalanche mission Hasty and I responded to was a report of four buried on Peak 7, Breckenridge, Colorado. Overwhelmed with the immensity of the area and the huge number of searchers it was a "trial by fire" mission, but nevertheless Hasty was out there searching — for three consecutive days.

In his 11 years of search and rescue, Hasty had become increasingly efficient in locating buried people.

"I have no doubt that our Creator has plans for a creature who so selflessly gives...so that others may live" — Patti Burnett

And because most of those found had already died, it was difficult to praise his excellence in the midst of exerted searchers and mourning families. It was never the praise he worked for.

No matter what Hasty had faced before, during or after a rescue, he always was tireless in his searches. Even the time we were waiting to be flown in to Second Creek and he was attacked by a large dog. Regardless of the puncture wound just next to his eye, his adrenaline was pumping and Hasty took only a few minutes to locate the buried woman.

It wasn't until a few years ago we finally had the joy of finding someone alive after an avalanche. The long hours of training and searching came back to me as I watched the woman take a breath and open her eyes.

Hasty's first wilderness find was a two-and-a-half-year-old boy. He had wandered away from his family up on Kenosha Pass. I worked Hasty through the last known place until he picked up a trail. Once he was on the trail, Hasty worked tirelessly for nearly five miles through grazing cows and bulls. When hasty found him the little boy was as happy as could be.

Hasty

On one of our first water searches we were searching for a fisherman on a reservoir in Park County, Colorado. It was late November and bitter cold with gusts up to 50 mph. Too difficult to search from the boats, we worked mostly from the shoreline. Disregarding the severe weather, Hasty swam 75 feet from the shore. After a bearing of the wind was taken, the divers were given strong alerts from the shore and were unable to make a find. The search was then called off due to the weather. The following Spring, a snowplow operator found the body exactly where Hasty had indicated.

And now, unfortunately, but with some relief, it's time for Hasty to retire.

I had decided that I would wait until Hasty retired to get another puppy, but in July 1994 Timberee Goldens generously donated a wonderful male to us. Hasty, who had never been much into playing, learned to play with Sandy and a relationship developed. Before long, Hasty was showing Sandy the ropes

It was interesting to watch the two work wilderness together. The old man would use his head, reserving energy, while the young pup would run helter-skelter. When Sandy wouldn't dig as hard as I thought he should, I brought in Hasty and the competition began. Sandy is now the main rescue dog.

No dog will ever take Hasty's place. After 107 missions, not to mention all of the "stand downs," 'Thank you, Hasty, for being a dedicated SAR worker, wonderful companion and loyal friend.' I always knew that whatever I asked of him he would do it with all of his heart.

—Patti Burnett, Supervisor Copper Mountain Ski Patrol, SAR Dog Handler, SARDOC