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.
Vatican makes fresh overture to China, reaffirms that Catholic Church is no threat to sovereignty
Hundreds of bulbs, entire rose bushes stolen from Christchurch park
Report recommends councillors don't support plan for second Auckland harbour crossing
Scheffler back to work at Colonial and Stricker returns to Senior PGA in Michigan
Free lunch scheme has made 'huge difference' for Wainuiomata school
Uber's 'shambolic' agreements with drivers highlights power imbalance
Moscow attack: Russian court charges four men with act of terrorism
No more cute snaps of Mt Fuji. A screen is up in a Japanese town to prevent tourist crowds
Police, iwi and gangs hold hui after rugby club van shot at
Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Afghanistan nearly 3 years after the Taliban captured Kabul
Customs seize $20m meth and MDMA in two bags at Auckland Airport