Freestate Pet Tracking

11/10/2025

Secrets of the Sniff: How Your Dog’s Nose Is a Supercomputer

Ever wonder what your dog is really doing when their nose is glued to the ground? They’re not just sniffing grass; they’re decoding a scent-based story written molecule by molecule.

A dog’s nose isn’t just strong; it’s engineered for precision. With up to 300 million scent receptors (humans have about 6 million), they can detect a single drop of liquid in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. When your dog stops to sniff, they are instantly gathering data.

Their nose is so specialized that they can actually separate breathing from smelling. A fold of tissue directs air to two different chambers: one for respiration and another for olfaction. This allows them to continually process scent data without interruption. They also read scent in three dimensions, often wiggling their nostrils independently to triangulate the source.

They recall scents with absolute clarity, and more importantly, they can discriminate between them. Our Freestate Tracking dogs can isolate and follow the unique scent fingerprint of your specific pet, even in a busy park filled with the trails of dozens of other animals.

At Freestate Tracking, we see this superpower in action every day. Our team doesn’t rely on luck; we rely on the undeniable, specialized power of the canine nose. When your pet goes missing, we harness this unparalleled biological technology to follow that unique, faint trail, maximizing the chances of a fast and successful reunion. The science is fascinating, but the results, getting a loved one home, are everything.

11/08/2025

11/07/2025

🐟 Fish Need Doorbells Now. Apparently That’s a Thing.

In the Netherlands, scientists ran into a problem. They built canal locks to control water flow and help boats pass, but during migration season, fish were getting stuck on the wrong side of the gates. They’d pile up, waiting, burning energy, and becoming easy prey to birds overhead.

So researchers went back to the drawing board and came up with a wild idea: If fish can’t ring a bell, maybe people can.

They installed an underwater camera at the Weerdsluis lock in Utrecht, built a live feed, and created a virtual doorbell. Anyone in the world can watch the stream and hit the button when they see fish waiting. That alert goes straight to the lock operator, who can then open the gate.

It’s part science experiment, part global game show. Thousands of people sit by their computers every spring, waiting for a chance to ring the bell, cheering when they spot a shadow glide across the screen.

They call it the Fish Doorbell (Visdeurbel). What started as a small fix for a local waterway turned into a worldwide pastime, with people everywhere helping fish keep moving, one ring at a time.

We spend our days helping lost pets find their way home. In the Netherlands, people are doing the same for fish, pressing buttons for strangers with gills. 😂

🐟 ❤️

👉 Watch it live here: visdeurbel.nl

11/04/2025

🐾 Helping Outdoor Cats as Temperatures Drop 🐾

Here at Freestate, we’re known for our love of dogs, but we’ve got a soft spot for cats too, those little villainous furballs plotting world domination from the shadows.

As the nights get colder, a few regulars in our neighborhood have claimed spots under the cars and around the shed, giving us that signature cat side-eye whenever we get too close. Most of my family would love to lure them inside and spoil them rotten, but they’re not having it. They’ve perfected the art of working the neighborhood for maximum snacks, making every house think nobody else is feeding them, when in reality they’re probably eating better than half the dogs on the block. Since one of our family members is highly allergic, we help from a distance by building small shelters out of coolers and storage bins to keep them warm through the winter. It felt like the right time to share a few easy ways anyone can help, too.

Build or Provide Shelter
A basic insulated shelter can save a cat’s life on a cold night. You can buy one online or make your own using a large plastic tote, Styrofoam cooler, or storage bin. Cut a doorway about six inches wide. Line the inside with straw, not blankets or hay, since those hold moisture. Raise it off the ground and face the opening away from the wind.

Offer Fresh, Unfrozen Water
Cats can’t eat snow to stay hydrated. Use wide, shallow plastic bowls instead of metal, which freezes faster. Place them in sunny spots or use heated pet bowls if possible.

Feed More Often
Outdoor cats burn extra calories staying warm. Offer food more frequently in insulated dishes or inside the shelter entrance to protect it from snow and wind.

Provide a Safe Space
If you care for community cats, place shelters in a quiet, low-traffic area where they can rest undisturbed. Keep shelters and feeding stations a short distance apart to reduce crowding and give each cat space to feel secure.

Watch for Signs of Trouble
Frostbite often affects ears, paws, and tails. If you see a cat that’s lethargic, shivering, or limping, contact a local rescue or vet immediately.

Even small efforts make a huge impact. A single tote shelter or heated water bowl can mean the difference between comfort and suffering for an outdoor cat this winter.

If you’ve built or set up a shelter, share a photo in the comments. It might inspire someone else to do the same.

10/21/2025

Two dogs, one mic, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.

Tonight, Goose sits down with Mickey to talk about his family’s amazing work bringing holiday magic to kids across Maryland.

⸻

🎙️🐾 The Bark Side Presents: Goose Interviews Mickey
A Freestate Tracking special episode

Tonight’s guest is extra special to us here at Freestate Tracking, our friend Mickey the golden retriever.

Back when Duck was learning to track, friends stepped up to help, including Mickey and his humans, Jeff and Erin. Mickey wasn’t doing the tracking himself, but he joined the fun by playing round after round of hide and seek so Duck could practice finding him. Those playful sessions, full of fun and golden chaos, helped turn early training into something great and built friendships that lasted.

⸻

Goose: Mickey, it’s great having you on The Bark Side! I heard you were one of the helpers when Duck was still figuring out how to track.

Mickey: That was fun! I’d hide behind trees or sneak under the deck while Duck searched. He always found me, but not before I got in a few tail wags and happy barks. We had a blast. It was a play date where I got treats and got to watch Duck’s dad get pulled around by a leash like a kite.

Goose: That’s the best kind of teamwork, messy, noisy, and full of tail wags.

Mickey: You know it. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.

Goose: And even while your family was helping with training, they were already running something special, Odd Saint Nick. Tell everyone what that’s about.

Mickey: My mom and dad run Odd Saint Nick with the North Point Odd Fellows Lodge. Every year, families who need a little help share their kids’ Christmas lists. Then Mom and Dad, along with a bunch of volunteers, work like elves to make every single wish come true. They started the program back in 2015, and it’s grown every year since.

Goose: So we’re talking real presents, not leftovers from a thrift store.

Mickey: Exactly. They hunt down the good stuff, sometimes rare toys or games, and make sure every kid wakes up feeling special. Dad always says no child should ever wonder why Santa skipped their house.

Goose: That’s powerful. I also heard your mom runs the operation like Santa’s chief of staff.

Mickey: Oh, for sure. She’s so organized, even Santa would take notes. She’s got a color-coded spreadsheet that tracks every toy, every kid, every delivery. She’s amazing.

Goose: And you help, right?

Mickey: Of course! I’m the elf in overdrive. I guard every delivery like it’s made of steak, inspect all boxes for chewability, and occasionally redecorate the living room with ribbon. Mom says I’m exhausting. I say excellence takes effort.

Goose: I have to ask, how do your humans pull it off every year? Helping that many families takes a lot more than holiday spirit.

Mickey: Oh, they never really stop. Between events like Odd Fest, the Chili Cook-Off, and raffles through the lodge, they’re always raising funds and collecting donations. Sometimes local restaurants hold special nights where part of the proceeds go toward the program. My family and everyone at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, North Point Lodge #4 are heroes all year long.

Goose: That’s the kind of teamwork any good pack understands.

Mickey: Between the wrapping chaos, Mom yelling, “Come back here with that!”, the Amazon driver daring to step on my porch every five minutes, and a mountain of boxes that clearly all need my personal inspection, I barely have time to nap. I take my job seriously as head of security, quality control, and ribbon testing. It’s exhausting, but worth it. Last year, they helped more than 175 kids wake up to a Christmas morning filled with joy, and that makes all my barking, sniffing, and holiday zoomies worthwhile.

Goose: Your pack has a lot to be proud of, Mickey. Jeff and Erin were named 2024 Humanitarians of the Year by the Optimist Club of Dundalk, and with your smallest human, Riley, they’re spreading joy far beyond your own backyard.

Mickey: They’d never say that themselves, but yeah, they really care. They don’t do it for recognition. They do it because kindness is our family brand.

Goose: I think that’s the best brand there is.

⸻

As our chat winds down, Goose takes a final look at the golden whirlwind who somehow turns chaos into kindness.

🎁 Odd Saint Nick officially gears up every November, but preparation and fundraising run year-round through events like Odd Fest and the Charity Chili Cook-Off because they believe every child deserves a magical Christmas, no matter what.

The North Point Odd Fellows Lodge notes that every dollar raised goes directly toward the gifts, keeping the focus exactly where it belongs, on the kids.

✨ Odd Saint Nick serves families across Eastern Baltimore County and relies entirely on donations and community volunteers to make it happen.

You can support Odd Saint Nick through events hosted by the North Point Odd Fellows Lodge or by visiting the Odd Saint Nick page to donate or get involved.

10/16/2025

🐾 From Goose’s Kitchen: Paw Balm for Working Dogs

My paws do a lot of work on gravel, mud, snow, and hot pavement. Mom says soft paws are happy paws, so we make our own balm to keep them smooth and protected. It smells good, feels nice, and doesn’t taste bad if I sneak a lick. (Don’t tell Mom I said that.)

You’ll need:
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil makes the balm soft and helps moisturize cracked pads
• 1 tablespoon shea butter adds a creamy texture and deep hydration
• 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets keeps everything firm and locks in moisture
• Optional 1 teaspoon olive oil or a few drops vitamin E oil for extra softness and longer shelf life

How we make it:
1. Melt everything together in a small pan on low heat until smooth.
2. Pour into tins or small jars and let it cool completely.
3. Rub a little onto each paw before walks on hot pavement or icy ground.

Handler’s note:
This stuff lasts for months. Keep one jar at home and one in the car for after long tracks. It is safe for paws, noses, and elbows too.

Now my pads stay tough for work but soft enough for couch cuddles. 10 out of 10 would recommend.

🐾

09/26/2025

From Goose’s Kitchen, Episode 9: Will Luna approve?

Hi friends, Goose here! Today’s guest star is my cousin Luna. She is no ordinary cat. Luna lives with my aunt Stephanie, who is the ultimate hostess. She makes entertaining look effortless, and her kitchen always shines. Mine… well, let’s just say it has “character.”

Luna has the best of everything. She is spoiled with love, sweet baby talk, and more comfort than most humans could dream of. Her best friend is her human, Madisyn, who had her first memoir-style poem published at just 13. Talent clearly runs strong in that household.

But here is the catch. Luna is picky. Very picky. She would rather drink out of the shower than touch food that does not meet her exacting standards. For her, I created a recipe as selective as she is.

🐾 Luna’s Picky Cat Pâté
• ½ cup cooked chicken breast or turkey (plain, no seasoning)
• 1 tbsp unsalted chicken broth
• 1 tsp pumpkin purée
• 1 tsp tuna water (from tuna packed in water, not oil)
• Optional: sprinkle of freeze-dried chicken crumbles

Blend the chicken, broth, pumpkin, and tuna water until smooth and creamy, then top with a little crunch for texture.

The verdict? Luna approved. At least long enough to finish her dish before strutting off to her shower fountain. Even the pickiest cat deserves a recipe worthy of her lifestyle.

09/22/2025

Here at the Bark Side, we’ve always said we wanted to shine a spotlight on the trackers and rescues who dedicate their lives to bringing lost pets home. Today, we’re starting with someone who shaped the way we do this work.

That person is Carmen Brothers, founder of Professional Pet Trackers. Her company is a nationwide recovery organization with more than 35 years of combined experience, bringing countless families back together with grit and heart. She’s built a legacy that continues to shape the future of pet recovery.

To honor her work, we’ve invited the newest member of her pack, Finn, to join us on the Bark Side. He’s a young black lab who’s goofy and excitable off duty, but sharp, motivated, and already proving himself as a skilled tracker when it’s time to work 🐾.

Enjoy the interview… and the bloopers that prove working dogs aren’t always so serious.

🐾🐾🐾

The Interview

Goose: Welcome to the Bark Side.
Finn: Finally! I was born for this. Snacks? Belly rubs? Want to see my stick collection?
Goose: Later, rookie. First let’s talk about your human, Carmen.

Finn: Carmen is incredible. About 15 years ago, Maddie, a dog from City Dogs Rescue in Washington DC, went missing. Carmen was everywhere: printing flyers, knocking on doors, rallying neighbors into search teams. That’s when she got hooked. She became a lost dog coordinator, trained with certified professionals in scent work and K9 handling, and in 2015 joined a nonprofit in Baltimore where she gained hands-on experience with tracking dogs. She even studied how cats and dogs behave when they’re scared, determined to learn everything that could help bring them home.

Goose: That’s serious dedication.
Finn: Serious is her default. Then came the big leap. National Geographic Wild called. They wanted her for their docu-series Trackers. The catch? She had to walk away from her HR career. So she did, and never looked back.

Goose: Bold choice.
Finn: Bold is her style. She’ll track anything: dogs, cats, turtles, even a capybara. Honestly, I’m just waiting for the day she straps on scuba gear and goes after a goldfish 🐟. She’s smart, fearless, and no-nonsense. She saw a lab with energy to burn, brains to use, and heart to give, and said, “This one’s ready.”

Goose: Speaking of pawprints, let’s talk about Magic. To meet her was to understand greatness on four paws.
Finn: Magic was Carmen’s first tracking dog, a pretty yellow lab who set the bar for all of us. She set that bar high. She started as a diabetic alert dog, but Carmen trained her to track and she became one of the best in the industry. She was quirky too. Ask her the same question twice and she’d let you know what she thought about that. When it came to tracking, she always delivered. She recently passed, and everyone who knew her feels that loss. Every trail we run still starts in Magic’s pawprints.

Goose: And now you’re carrying the torch.
Finn: Yep. I’ll never be Magic, but Carmen knows I’ll leave my own pawprint too. I love to work. When it’s time, I’m focused, motivated, and determined. When it’s playtime, sure, I’ll clown around with sticks bigger than I am. But the second she gives me the signal? Game face.

Goose: Professional Pet Trackers has quite the lineup.
Finn: It’s not just dogs sniffing trails. Megan runs intake, helps families with flyers and search strategy, and points them to trappers or drones when that’s the better fit. A tracker isn’t always the answer. If there are confirmed sightings, what they really need is a trapper, and Megan makes sure families know that. Then there’s you and John in Baltimore, Linda and her three dogs on the Eastern Shore, Jamie Bozzi and her dogs in California, plus me and Trix at home with Carmen. Together we’re the Avengers of lost pets: less capes, more drool, plenty of butt sniffing 🦴.

Goose: The industry isn’t easy. How does Carmen handle critics?
Finn: She’s been copied, mocked, and underestimated, but she always takes the high road. Instead of barking back, she lets her work speak louder. She also doesn’t just chase the easy cases for quick wins or publicity. She digs into the messy ones, puts in the hard work, and gives it her all. Every reunion speaks for itself. Watching heartbreak flip into joy is why she does this work.

Goose: What makes you proudest of her?
Finn: She has the heart of a teacher and the most beautiful springy curls. She believes in herself, and she believes in me whether I’m laser-focused on a trail or dragging a log-sized stick across the beach. She doesn’t gatekeep. She doesn’t waste time on petty fights. She just keeps going. That’s Carmen.

Goose: Final question. What’s your most ridiculous move?
Finn: Easy. The Fin Spin. I whip around so fast I’m basically a canine cyclone, spinning like I might time-travel by accident. And I do it at exactly 7:06 every morning. Then there’s the grand stick parade, charging through the yard with logs so big I look like I’m leading a marching band of squirrels 🐿️. Carmen tries to take some of my sticks away, but I don’t let her. It’s a game we play. She’s fast, but I’m faster. Keeps her humble.

Goose: (tail wagging) That’s the Bark Side. Thanks for joining me, Finn—and thank you, Carmen. I might bark at you, but I know skill and heart when I see it.

09/13/2025

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.

Before Goose and I were ever on the scene, Leah Biddinger of Bring ‘Em Home Animal Rescue and Trapping (BEHART) was already hard at work. Leah spotted Joe’s story on Facebook and quickly connected with Krista, offering early guidance on feeding-station setup and potential trapping locations. She also provided critical equipment days before the tracking session and looped me in as we developed a plan to help bring Joe home.

On Thursday, Goose and I joined the effort and tracked Joe’s scent to a nearby property. Less than 24 hours later, success! While Krista and her team were monitoring feeding stations, they received a call that Joe was on the back deck of the house next door to Goose’s pinpointed location, trying to get inside. When approached, Joe slipped under the deck, but his family patiently and lovingly coaxed him out until he finally came to them—purring and ready for home.

Thanks to Krista’s quick action, Leah’s early and steady support, and Goose’s focused track, Joe was back in his family’s arms by Friday night, eating like crazy and soaking up affection.

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

Welcome home, Joe!

09/11/2025

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 🐾