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.
Testimony at Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial focuses on his wife's New Jersey home
Wrexham schedules 3 games in US and Canada in July
Florida sues ACC seeking records in dispute with FSU over conference exit fees
What to expect in Puerto Rico's Democratic presidential primary
Orpheus Pledger: Home and Away star is arrested after sparking a three
United Methodists endorse change that could give regions more say on LGBTQ and other issues
John Terry reveals Rio Ferdinand has blanked him on the beach in Dubai in a bitter 13
Austrian leader lauds UK's efforts on migration and cites its plan for deportations to Rwanda
Bryce Harper homers in return from daughter's birth as Phillies beat Reds 5
Warner holds out IPL hot shot Fraser
Amazon unit plans to invest $11 billion to data center in Indiana