Why can't I meet people like this in my state?

[Pepper311]

I was out visiting my parents in VA I live in CA. We had to go to petsmart to get bird seed for my moms bird. As we were walking in I saw a stunning Belgian Mal that made me stop and look.

At the check out I saw the lady and her dog. I ask is that a Belgian? The lady was so excited I knew what her dog was, and could tell I was excited to meet her dog. We started talking. You know what it's like when dog people start talking. She was great and her dog even came over to meet me. I felt very special because I know how these dogs are not one to want strangers attention. She was telling me about the breed. She told me how she got her dog from a breeder for free, but the deal was she has to bring her back so the breeder can breed her. She comes from a long line of police dogs. I told her how I have always wanted one. It was informative.

I told her how I love working and training dogs. Blah blah. She brought up SAR my eyes lit up. It is a dream of mine to have a Mal and do SAR with it. She told me I could come and help with training by hiding in the woods when the dogs search. I got so excited this was all like a dream come true. Meeting this lady could have been my in my way to learning more about my dream breed and SAR. BUT I was just visiting I have to go back to CA in a few days. WHY WHY CAN'T I RANDOMLY MEET PEOPLE LIKE THIS WHERE I LIVE?

Life is not fair this lady was so ready to invite me into the world I would love to be part of. I could have maybe even gotten one of her pups. I did get to meet a great Mal and talk to a lady who loves the breed. She made me love and want the breed even more.

Meeting the Mal was more exciting then meeting a movie stare for me. Gosh I am dork.

[Castlemaid]

That is great! Why don't you contact a SAR group in CA and offer to volunteer your time? You'd get to meet a lot of great dogs, and get to hide in the woods for them. They'd probably LOVE it just as much as you will, and you'd be making contacts that could lead you to finding your next dog.

[KZoppa]

Thats usually my problem. I always meet actual honest to goodness dog people out of the area where i live lol. Like i KNOW when i take my next trip back home and i take Shasta out, i'm almost promised to meet a dog person. not just someone who has a dog. ALWAYS happens that way.

I agree with contacting your local SAR group back in CA and volunteering. I'm sure they'd be thrilled to have another helper.... especially one who is sooooooo interested in the dogs and the whole process in general.