The Perfect Present on the Coast Guard's Birthday
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jetta Disco and Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Neff
When humans take to the sea, they have traditionally brought along animals for various reasons, from rodent control to companionship to help pass the long days.
The Coast Guard has had animals serve in various capacities, from working dogs used to aid in maritime law enforcement, to mascots on ships and stations that help improve morale.
The most recent member to join the crew at Coast Guard Station Golden Gate, Sausalito, Calif., arrived July 21, 2006. Sierra "Crissy" Field, a nine-week-old black Labrador puppy began her trip from Astoria, Ore., flew to Sacramento and continued by car to her new home in the shadows of the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jessica Shafer had recently transferred from Cape Disappointment where she had worked with Chief Warrant Officer Joel Abstetar. Mr. Abstetar, the Executive Officer of Station Cape "D," was also a dog breeder.
"I had wanted to get a puppy from Mr. Abstetar, but when I was transferring down here I didn't get one because of being in the city," said Shafer. "When I got to Station Golden Gate they were talking about getting a station dog so I connected them with Mr. Abstetar."
It was nice, I got still got my dog, she said cheerfully.
Chief Petty Officer Stephen Allen, Executive Petty Officer of Station Golden Gate, contacted Mr. Abstetar about getting one of his puppies.
To the delight of the Station Golden Gate crew, Mr. Abstetar donated one his puppies to the station. Arrangements were then made for Sierra to get a seat aboard a C-130 aircraft that happened to be making a scheduled law enforcement flight from Air Station Astoria to Air Station Sacramento.
When Sierra arrived in Sacramento, Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Jinks and Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Mackey were there to meet her. From there, the three made the two-hour trip by car to Station Golden Gate. Exhausted from her long day of traveling, Sierra curled up and quickly fell asleep in the female locker room.
"I'm so excited. I've always wanted to have a dog at the station," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Amy Wallin.
The next morning Sierra was introduced to the busy routine of a search and rescue station. She anxiously jumped into her first mission, assisting in locating a partially submerged vessel that had washed ashore. She scoured the beaches and met with local residents, all of whom were delighted to welcome the newest station team member.
Over the next two weeks Sierra made her transition from her life in Oregon to her new home at the station. She quickly adapted to having free rein of the station and a large fenced-in backyard.
Now, Sierra wakes each morning to the reveille pipe then follows the crew down to the docks for daily boat checks, where she is becoming accustomed to climbing aboard the stations' boats. Sierra helps the crew with boat maintenance or sleeps in the communications center, curled up at the watchstander's feet. She no longer seems startled by the search and rescue alarms.
Sierra has proven to be a warm and welcome addition to the crew at Station Golden Gate. Her shipmates enjoy her company and look forward to many years of serving with her.
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