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(photo by Ann Todd)
"APE"FBI TACTICAL DOG KILLED IN ACTION Today's post is dedicated to remembering and honoring APE and all of the dogs that serve in law enforcement and with the armed forces. |
The story of Ape's heroism and dedication to his human team is here at the New York Times.
Long time readers of Pure Florida know I am a dog guy. So you know any dog story, happy or sad, tugs at my heart, but this ...
There is no other animal on the planet, none, that can do what we ask these tactical dogs to do. Whether it's a military dog or a rural deputy's police dog, we ask them to go first, to take the point like Ape did.
When a human officer puts on a gun and a badge, they are making a conscious decision and are aware of the possible consequences. They know that they are duty bound to respond to any emergency and that when things go bad, the public will turn to them for protection. I know this to be true from my 8 years in law enforcement.
Dogs don't have that luxury of being able to ponder the possible outcomes and consequences of their service. They simply want to perform as they were trained and instinctively act to protect "their" humans.
I think it is that innocence of the dog, even a highly trained, powerful police or military dog that makes these losses so painful to me.
These tactical dogs have saved thousands of lives over the years through their keen senses, intelligence, bravery, and awesome physical abilities. We owe them our respect and gratitude for the work they do and, like Ape, the sacrifices they make.
But words are cheap, and canine protective vests ... "bulletproof vests" ... are not.
A single K-9 protective vest costs a little over $1000.00.
Please take a moment and make a donation to VESTED INTEREST IN K-9S, Inc.
If a hundred of us donated ten dollars in Ape's memory, we could outfit another loyal police dog with a protective vest.
We can't bring Ape back, but we can honor his sacrifice with a little sacrifice of our own.
15 comments:
So sorry to read about Ape, he is a hero!
You are absolutely right. Folks who have not worked "up close and personal" with police work dogs have no real concept of how hard they (and their partners) train, how incredibly versatile and useful K-9's are, or how short their careers and how much they give for love of their partners.
I wasn't aware of the vests for K-9's program. A donation is on the way. Thanks for the reminder.
Bill
Happened only 40 miles from here...the whole incident went a long way toward destroying the small town innocence of the area. People we know were in lockdown. I like what you are doing here.
There is a groupon for this right now. You pay 10 dollars for a 20 dollar donation towards bullet proof doggy vests!
My friend, Joe, raised a beautiful Rottweiler who went in to police work. Chief is still remembered fondly by the Las Vegas PD, killed in the line of duty protecting his humans.
Thank you friends.
Yes, Anon (Emma?) that groupon is active and you can access it at the Vested site pretty easily. That's what I did this morning.
That's a very sad story. Ape was such a beautiful dog.
FC, is one of yours at UCF?
Robin,
Very painful to think about not only Ape, but the officer who was his partner. I know he or she is feeling a terrible loss.
Kathy A,
No, two are graduated from USF and Junior is at UF. He wants to be a lawyer.
Hi FC,
This is so sad. My union bought a vest for this group. We need to protect all members of the force. I can't find the Groupon. Do you have the link to email to me?
P
Just read about this and made a donation. Such a tragedy for all those involved.
Hey FC,
Just Swagbucked the offer and found it. Donated and posted on my Facebook page.
p
Thank you for your donations to this good cause!
I made a donation. Wish it could have been more.
Hey! The goal was 100 vests and the groupon deal bought 160 vests!!!!
AWESOME!
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