11/09/2019
Today we honour and remember not only the human lives lost in the 9/11 tragedy but also the Hero Dogs of 9/11.
From Guide dogs who bravely led their owners out of the buildings to safety, to the dogs called upon in the aftermath to use their skills to search the rubble for survivors.
Search and Rescue dogs searched the rubble tirelessly but before long found only body parts. These dogs experienced great stress as they believed they had failed as they found so few people alive.
Handlers and rescue workers regularly hid in the rubble in order to give these dogs a successful find and keep spirits up.
Cadaver dogs searched for bodies, and body parts to help identify the dead and bring some comfort to relatives.
These rescue dogs did find survivors in the rubble, and later on, found personal items, such as jewellery, that could be returned to the victims families.
We are reminded even in the most sombre of times, that dogs are a blessing and should be treasured, always.
*Pictured below, the last surviving rescue dog, Bretagne, who passed away in June 2016 at the age of 16 **
