Ecuador: Fire department honors five rescue dogs during retirement
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Five rescue dogs were honored by Ecuador’s Fire Department on Monday at a ceremony formally retiring them after seven years of service and turning them over to new adoptive owners.
Lt. Col. Esteban Cardenas said the dogs — Ares, Kratos, Zeus, Titan and Gaia — were part of the first class of canines used by the department’s rescue unit, which works with German shepherds and golden retrievers.
Cardenas recalled some of their feats, including aiding in finding survivors of earthquakes and landslides across Ecuador and abroad, including a mission to Mexico in 2017.
He said veterinarian reports had suggested it was time to retire the five dogs.
“Today for us is a day of mixed feelings. We really would not want them to leave. We would have liked to have them with us in our ranks,” Cardenas said.
The dogs’ new owners were selected carefully after meeting certain requirements, he said.
Gaia’s new owner, Valeria Zevallos, said she was amazed by her new pet’s previous career of saving lives.
“Many adventures await us now. After her work adventures, family adventures,” she said.
Related articles
It's so hot in Mexico that howler monkeys are falling dead from the trees
MEXICO CITY (AP) — It’s so hot in Mexico that howler monkeys are falling dead from the trees.At leas2024-05-22One Tech Tip: What to do if your personal info has been exposed in a data breach
LONDON (AP) — Data breaches like the recent one involving millions of AT&T customers are becomin2024-05-22Justin Bieber steps out for lunch in very low
Justin Bieber stepped out in very low-slung Balenciaga sweatpants and a hoodie while grabbing lunch2024-05-22Klay Thompson wants do decompress from season before delving into what's next as a free agent
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Fighting his emotions from the most frustrating of nights, Klay Thompson peered2024-05-22- CAIRO (AP) — The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed on Tuesday they shot down an American dr2024-05-22
Rare bornean orangutan is born at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has officially welcomed its newest primate to the animal theme park's family2024-05-22
atest comment