She was a good dog, a brave dog, and she did everything that was expected of her as a rescue animal. You would think Ground Zero in 2001 would be enough but no. Bretagne was not a dog to sit back and do nothing during an emergency.
NBC’s “TODAY” explained that in addition to searching for survivors after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Bretagne and Denise worked as a search team in response to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Hurricane Ivan, and other disasters. Bretagne retired at age 9, but her work wasn’t done. She was nominated for the Hero Dog Award from the American Humane Association in 2014, and the organization’s online biography of her says that she served as an ambassador for search and rescue dogs in retirement, where she’d visit elementary schools.
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Eventually when a 16-year-old dog experiences kidney failure and stops eating they are telling you it is time to say goodbye. Her owner finally knew it was the kind thing to allow Bretagne to feel peace and had her euthanized.
About two-dozen first responders lined the sidewalk leading to the veterinarian’s office on her final day. They were there to salute Bretagne ask she took her final walk. Later, when she was carried from office, an American flag was draped over her body. A fitting tribute to a very special dog and an American hero.
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