In a story which reminds us that heroes never really hang up their capes, a retired police dog in the UK saved a missing person on a walk.
The 12-year-old German Shepherd named Bear received the lifesaver award from the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity that helps police dogs and which had previously partially paid for one of Bear’s surgeries.
It happened that on November 28th during a walk aimed at rehabilitating Bear’s stamina following surgery to remove some tumors, Bear’s sense of heroism was rehabilitated as well.
His owners, both retired officers themselves, had taken him to the South Downs—the beautiful green hills of southern England, to celebrate the pooch’s 12th birthday. Julia Pope, Bear’s owner, adopted him after a long career as a general police dog ended in 2020.
“Bear found several people during his working life who probably wouldn’t have survived without him, but he and his handler never got any recognition at the time because they were simply doing their job,” she told the Argus.
During their walk Bear led Julia and her husband Ian into deep brush where a man had fallen down. Wet, immobile, and confused, authorities were already looking for him when Bear found him.
DOGS TREATED LIKE HEROES:
Either the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, or Sussex Police Department got word that one of their former canines had performed an additional rescue post-service career, and Bear was recommended for the Lifesaver Award which was presented during a ceremony at Sussex HQ, something which Julia said was “completely unexpected.”
“For him to get this award now, in his retirement, and for his former handler, Iain, to have been there too, is very special. We’re all super proud of him.”
CELEBRATE This Elderly Dog Who Rescues Elderly People…
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
