02/01/2023
Today, I helped King move on to his next assignment with the peace, dignity and tribute that he deserved. He was surrounded by love and given the respect that he was due for his unwavering service. Police dogs ARE officers of the law. They too, give their lives for their duty and are no less important than their human counterparts. We need to never forget that. There is nothing we could have done that would have held him in high enough esteem. I hope that his fellow officers, family members and community find some small comfort in having honored him. I know I was honored (and heartbroken) to have been a part of his life and his death. I would like to believe that he knew we were all there for him, to love him and thank him. To see the law enforcement community come together for this beautiful, brave, strong dog is something I will never forget. I have worked with police dogs in three different states, and never have I seen as many officers come together as I did today and the emotion of it has been indelibly impressed in my heart and memory. Thank you to his family, to his unit, to my staff, and to everyone who was part of this day. I can only wish that we are as deserving of his love as he was of ours and that we never, ever, ever, forget K9 King.
Knowing he had performed his duty as a canine officer, protecting me from harm, I had to perform my duty as a veterinarian and protect him from suffering. As we entered into King’s final moments, I gripped the dog tag around my neck that is from another police dog who was incredibly dear to me, and I asked him to come es**rt King to his new unit. I know that he heard me, and I know that King did not move on alone. I promise you Ray, that King has a good partner in the next place while he waits for you.
