Love a K-9 Public Servant

K-9 recertification for explosives detection took place on my campus this week. Thirty-eight dog teams from the United States and Canada arrived on Monday morning for a four-day trial. A nice treat for a dog lover!

The dogs tested separately because the majority of them are unneutered male alphas who love a fight but these two seemed to get along quite well. Handlers became acquainted and enjoyed new friendships during their stay here.

While they waited for their call, the dogs lounged in the police cruisers and personal vans. Always in their alert mode, the parking lot was noisy enough to frighten a few students.

All of the dogs are trained in search and rescue, drugs detection, and personal protection, as well as explosives and like all other public servants, they need yearly recertification. Searching for bombs is a game for them and they do it very well. It’s their playtime!


Oh, how I would have loved to hug such remarkable, obedient dogs but we all knew to hold back and not interfere with a tense dog and its owner.

Most were German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. I met a new breed this week - a Belgian Malinois, who resembles a German Shepherd but is smaller and sleeker and with a personality similar to a Jack Russell Terrier. A wild look in his eyes – this dog is focused and intense. He requires firm handling by his owner as this working breed is primarily bred for police work. Sharp as a tack, too. I kept my distance.

He didn’t quite qualify for seeing-eye but he did qualify for tobacco and alcohol. Now he’s up for bombs. Sweet.

A wide, open field is a playground for them and they linger only a bit, nose to the ground. Their task is to locate the black box. When they detect an explosive, they sit to confirm they found the prize and remain seated until the handler releases them.

Well done! After every detection, the handler gives praise and a favorite toy. No Bil-Jack liver treats for these dogs!

Relax. Down. Stay. Wait. Spoken in German.

Waiting for a shot at it...

Receiving last minute instructions.

Free to explore and roam but can be stopped and called back instantly. They obey, even on a rabbit chase. Hard to believe, isn't it?

She whispered and encouraged him to do well.

He flew from Montreal on Sunday.

Can you see the love? Need I say more?

Wonderful dogs and owners. They serve, protect, save lives, and love their families and homes. Couch potatoes? Sometimes, yes. Most of all, they love the work. It’s the work and praise they crave most of all.

Always attentive to her master,

and looking for a prize in the back pocket.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I came home from work to greet the Licker Sisters.


So, girls! What did you do today? Did you work hard?

We don’t have job descriptions.