Christina’s Story

Part I

On July 25, 2011 Paige Cooper’s 2 ½ year old daughter, Christina Norris, drowned in the Ohio River.

Christina was with family members on the shore when she disappeared around 11 AM. Law enforcement responded quickly, sending rescue workers, divers, officers, firefighters, and EMTs. KYK9 was part of the search efforts.

I needed to collect a scent article so that K9 Remy and K9 Scout could search for Christina from the point last seen. A police officer escorted me to Paige’s house and into her bedroom, where she sat crying surrounded by family and friends. I introduced myself, explaining that I was a dog handler and that my dogs Remy and Scout would be searching for Christina. I told her I needed to collect Christina’s scent. Paige got up and led me to a closet and pointed to a tiny outfit that Christina had been wearing before she changed to go to the beach. Paige stayed with me as I collected Christina’s clothes. As I left she told me that to look for a purple child-chair along the shore, where Christina usually sat.

As I walked down the hill to the shore, I saw the purple child-chair perched along the water’s edge about 20 yards upstream from the search crews. I walked Scout to the chair. Scout took scent and headed up-stream away from the search crews. An officer brusquely stated the obvious: “The river doesn’t even go that way.” But that did not matter as Scout said Christina’s scent trail went upstream, so upstream we went.

After 50-70 yards, Scout went straight to the water’s edge and waded in, anxiously giving her fear alert. My heart raced. Not good. So, I raced to put Scout back in the truck so I could run Remy. Starting from the purple chair, Remy headed upstream and, like Scout, after about 50-70 yards, Remy turned into the river, giving her fear alert.

I reported the dogs’ findings to the police who had cadaver dogs working down-stream. I took them upstream and the cadaver dog alerted where Scout and Remy had indicated from the bank. I returned Christina’s outfit to the house, but did not see Paige. Christina’s body was recovered early the next morning.

Part II

Nearing the one year anniversary, Christina’s mother, Paige Cooper, contacted me to thank KYK9 for searching for Christina. What courage that must have taken. I asked Paige if she and her daughters, Olivia (2 ½), and Alix (1 month), would like to meet Remy and Scout. She bravely said yes. We met at a park where other mothers were sitting in the shade, watching their children play. Scout and Remy happily greeted Olivia and Paige with wags and licks, reaping pats and laughter.

But when Scout and Remy noticed Alix, who was sleeping in the shade a few feet away, both dogs pulled to see Alix. Nobody else mattered. Paige asked why Remy and Scout were so interested in Alix.

Not sure, I took one dog at a time to meet Alix. Scout approached the baby carrier cautiously, getting more and more excited. As she sniffed Alix’s blanket, Scout touched the carrier with her paw, lay down and barked. Stunned, I could not believe what I saw. Scout was indicating on the baby.

Paige asked why Scout was so intently focused on baby Alix. I paused before asking if Alix was sitting in Christina’s carrier. No, it was not Christina’s. But, Alix was wrapped in Christina’s’ blanket. Watching Scout, Paige looked up at me and asked if Scout remembered Christina’s smell. Paige said what I was afraid to – that Scout recognized Christina’s scent. Eleven months had passed, but Scout had found her person.

Witnessing Scout recognize Christina’s scent 11 months after she drowned was overwhelmingly amazing. Moved to tears, I was afraid to look at Paige until she said, “This may sound weird, but I feel comforted that the dogs have not forgotten Christina.” No, it was not weird. Paige and I had just witnessed the life affirming miracle of memory. Just as Paige will not forget Christina’s smile, Scout and Remy had not forgotten her scent. Remy and Scout’s scent memories brought Paige back for one happy moment. And for that I am grateful and utterly awe struck.
- Jennifer

From Christina's Mom 

"As part of my grieving and healing, awhile back I reached out on Facebook to this person, Jennifer, part of a K9 Unit who has 2 very sweet dogs, Remy and Scout. They were the dogs that tried to rescue Christina. I wanted to thank her for trying so hard to save my baby. I was so happy when Jennifer offered for me and my girls to meet the dogs again.

We met at a park and immediately both dogs went after Alix who was in her car seat wrapped in an old blanket of Christina’s. The dogs remembered Christina’s scent! Almost a year ago! They were trying to rescue Christina! My God, it was heartwarming.

I guess you just don’t realize stuff. I never even took the time to think that I wasn't the only person affected by the loss of my sweet baby girl! Not only me and my family but the people who tried to help find her and even the dogs! There are so many good people out there that just want to help and that truly do care it just amazes me. I am so grateful that I got to sit down and talk face to face with Jennifer Jordan Hall and the dogs to say thank you! I wish I could meet face to face with everyone that day and tell them all how grateful I am that they tried the best they could to save my baby! And I know Christina is safe now and that she is happy where she is. If she could be here today she would tell every one of you, "thank you so much for taking care of my mommy!" - Paige