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The World Trade Center's Heroic Rescue Dogs Go Home

Tuesday, October 9, 2001 - USA

"It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog."

-- John Lennon / Paul McCartney

Rescuers are homeward bound.
(Photo: Sep 29, 2001, REUTERS/Jeff Christensen)

NEW YORK CITY --  The last canine search-and-rescue team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has gone home this week, and while many of New York's finest K-9 cops will continue in the ongoing recovery, the WTC site is no longer buzzing with some 350 SAR dogs as before.  Now that the "search" effort has been downgraded to "recovery", all of the "live-find" dogs have gone home, and the overwhelming sense of loss at the WTC has never been so heavily punctuated.

But no effort as dedicated as the month-long canine SAR campaign can be hailed as anything less than triumphant and resoundingly successful.  The mettle shown by these dogs and their human-halves has affected the world in a way that should not be underestimated.  Big mutts, little mutts, German Shepherds, Black Labs, Yellow Labs, Collies, Rotties, Spaniels--and even a few reports of feisty little Dachshunds--have all reaffirmed the humble honor associated with the old WWII term "dogface".

"What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog."
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Cowboy", a FEMA-certified Border Collie, is one of over 350 devoted dogs who lent their superhuman senses to the search effort.  Although many dogs like Cowboy are not ready to call off the search, the Federal Emergecy Management Agency and on-site veterinarians agree that SAR dogs are being exposed to hazards and respiratory conditions that are unwarranted, now that the "rescue" effort has been downgraded to "recovery".
(Photo: Sep 21, 2001, AP / Alan Diaz)

"A time to heal."
Above: search dog "Kermit" is checked out by Dr. Kim Rosenthal (right) at a "Doggy M*A*S*H" treatment center while firefighter partner Merlin Durhman (top) watches.
(Photo: Vince Maggiora / The SF Chronicle)  Right: At the base for FEMA Urban Search and Rescue in NYC, "Jake" a Black Labrador Retriever comes off the job and receives some pampering: an adjustment by Randy Griffin, chiropractor sent by a church in Denison, Texas.
(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Below: Before leaving a city of grateful admirers, a rescue dog and his handler make a 5th Avenue appearance as guests of honor at the New York City Columbus Day Parade.
(Photo: Oct 8, 2001, Reuters / Mike Segar)

At a brief honors ceremony for New York's 341 lost firefighters, members of Washington Task Force One stand at attention.  "Old Glory" waves in the background as "Old Yeller" sits in the fore.  Perhaps it's time for "baseball and apple pie" to make room for different icons of American patriotism.
(Photo: Sep 26, 2001, Michael Rieger/ FEMA News)

"Insee" (Thai for "Eagle") gets a piggyback ride home from Louis and Amore Wardoup.  When the Wardoups heard of the WTC disaster, they immediately telephoned the FBI and offered their assistance.  After driving 22 hours to New York City from Meaux, Louisiana, Louis and Insee scoured the wreckage, leading rescue workers for 2 weeks.  Insee found no survivors but was able to recover many of the dead.
(Photo: Bryan Tuck / Capital City Press)

"He was a great, big guy, and he was just bawling.  He was crying like a baby.  He couldn't talk, but he mouthed the words: 'Thank you.  Thank you--and thank the dog.' "
-- Louis Wardoup, volunteer, describing how his partner Insee (above) unearthed the hand of a firefighter in front of his FDNY comrades.

Two Golden Retriever SAR dogs receive a Presidential "Good dog!" from George W. Bush.
(Photo by Michael Rieger/ FEMA News)

As the massive canine SAR campaign comes to an end and full honors are bestowed upon the worthy participants, the question we all wonder is: how much did they sacrifice, and how many dogs died in the WTC disaster?  There are many rumors and conflicting reports, as is the case with any disaster of this magnitude, but official word stands as follows:

They came from all across the U.S., from Puerto Rico and Canada, as far as British Columbia (and even one from Bordeaux, France), each deserving a world of admiration--as 16th century playwright Ben Johnson once wrote: "I do honour the very flea of his dog."

To all the canines who gave their noses and hearts to soothe the wound of a nation: welcome home.  Words cannot express enough gratitude (maybe tail wags can).

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