lgriffo@tahoedailytribune.com Many dog lovers will say their K9 “saved their life,” but for people caught in avalanches, a dog could literally be the difference between life and death. MoMo breaking through the way into the snow cave. Laney Griffo / Tahoe Daily Tribune All around the Lake Tahoe Basin, fluffy heroes and their handlers have spent hundreds of hours being prepared for worst case scenarios. There are a couple of reasons why dogs make good members of search and rescue teams. Ricky Newberry, senior director of mountain operations for Kirkwood Mountain Resort said a dog’s ability to smell and their ability to navigate alpine terrain make them ideal search and rescuers.