The last known surviving 9/11 search and rescue dog has died:
Firefighters and rescue workers lined the sidewalk as her body, draped in an American flag, was carried out. Tears streaked down some faces.
Bretagne, believed to be the last surviving 9/11 Ground Zero search dog, was euthanized Monday.
The golden retriever was 16. Old age had slowed her down, and it was time to put her to sleep.
So, the firefighters at the Cy-Fair Fire Department in Harris County, Texas, lined the path up to the Fairfield Animal Hospital, as her owner, Denise Corliss, walked her in to be put to sleep.
Good dog.
Being a good search and rescue dog requires certain qualities—it’s not something that every dog can do. The first Samoyed to be certified as a search and rescue dog came from the same kennel as our Samoyeds and, consequently, was a distant relative of our dogs. He worked with our friend, Betty, who presently has a littermate of our dog, Nola.
Sixteen is quite a venerable age for a Goldie. She was obviously loved.
I think the actuarial tables for dogs need to be revised. I suspect many dogs live almost twice as long as they should. My two hounds probably get the best healthcare in the house.
I am also uneasy about euthanizing animals – including the human kind, but I am also leery about making moral judgements without being willing to assume the responsibilities attached to my proclamations.
With respect to the breed with which I’m most familiar, Samoyeds, the “actuarial tables” say they should live to be 12-14 years and in my experience that’s about right. I’ve known a few Sams that lived to 15 and one that lived to 16 (our Tally). I’ve heard of one who lived to 17 but never actually met the dog.
Barring some extraordinary health problem most live to be 12-14.