Freestate Pet Tracking

10/04/2025

🎙️ Hey pack, it’s your host Goose here from The Bark Side!
I know everyone’s been wondering where my next guest is, but don’t worry, I haven’t gone Hollywood. I’ve been out doing my real job, tracking lost pets and putting this nose to work. 👃💪
Now that I’ve wrapped up a few cases, I’m back in the studio sniffing out my next star guest. 🐾✨
Stay tuned, it’s gonna be one for the treat jar. 🍪🎬

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.

09/19/2025

Check out our tutorial on how to make a scent article! 

Check out Freestate Tracking’s post.

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 🐾

09/10/2025

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"

09/10/2025

🌟 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.

09/06/2025

🐶 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.

09/05/2025

🎉 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. 💜🐶

08/30/2025

🎙️ 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

08/30/2025

👋🐾 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