11.9.15

9/11 Search Dog Honoured With Big Birthday Bash

To mark turning 16, Bretagne was flown from Texas to New York, given several treats and had a billboard for her in Times Square.
The last known living search-and-rescue dog who worked at Ground Zero after the 9/11 terror attacks has been honoured for her bravery with a big birthday bash.
In what was her first deployment in 2001, Bretagne (pronounced Brittany) helped find people trapped under the rubble of the World Trade Centre and comforted police officers and firefighters.

To mark turning 16 years of age and "the best day of her life", the golden retriever and her handler Denise Corliss were flown from Texas to New York and then enjoyed a ride in a stretched limousine.
Bretagne and Ms Corliss, who also worked together in 2001, were put up in a hotel suite where Bretagne was given treats including gourmet burgers before they were taken to Times Square where a special billboard welcomed the canine.
It said "Happy Birthday" and thanked the pair for their brave efforts after the atrocity.
Bretagne was also awarded a "Key to the City" from Hudson River Parks and a cobblestone was dedicated to her on the plaza at the 9/11 memorial.
And at a birthday party she was given presents including a new collar and also received a special 'dog cake'.
The pair were part of the Texas Task Force 1 crew which was dispatched to New York following the terror attacks.
Describing how she felt when she first arrived at Ground Zero, Ms Corliss said: "I could not believe the magnitude of it.
"Then I looked down at Bretagne and she seemed stoked and ready to work.
"Towards the end of our mission it changed from a search mission to a recovery mission.
"I was just so grateful to have a canine partner that helped me get through it.
"She represents the working dogs and disaster dogs in particular. They are deserving for a day like today."

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