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. |
A parliamentary election runoff puts hardRussian offensive on Kharkiv forces some 1,700 civilians to fleeDaughters without moms find support in each other's griefBiden highlights a coming showdown with GOP over 2017 tax cutsNewcomer Arraez hits a walkBayern depleted by injuries after Real Madrid loss, implications for Germany’s Euro 2024 squadAncient cultural street protection in water town in east ChinaAntiques Roadshow guest admits gambling wheel's true value probably 'scared his daughter to death'The United Auto Workers faces a key test in the South with upcoming vote at Alabama Mercedes plantGastronomy festival on Seine marks 60th anniversary of China