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.
Ecuador: Fire department honors five rescue dogs during retirement
Israel celebrates 74th Independence Day
Sky Pool links residential blocks in south London
Aswan Forum kicks off in Egypt with focus on multidimensional crises in Africa
Trump says he is open to restrictions on contraception before backing away from the statement
China firmly opposes the ROK inviting the Taiwan authorities to the so
G7 seeks cooperation on evacuation, refugees amid chaos in Kabul
NATO's bigger remit brings rising dangers
Death toll in Hebei gas explosion rises to 7
Thailand welcomes the return of trafficked antiquities from New York's Metropolitan Museum
Comicomment: U.S. 'spying' China