QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Five rescue dogs were honored by the Ecuador Fire Department on Monday in a ceremony that formally retired them after seven years of service and handed them over to new foster 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.
Cárdenas recalled some of his achievements, including helping to locate survivors of earthquakes and landslides in Ecuador and abroad, including a mission to Mexico in 2017.
He said veterinary reports suggested it was time to retire the five dogs.
“Today for us is a day of mixed feelings. We really wouldn’t want them to leave. We would like to have them with us in our ranks,” Cárdenas said.
The dogs’ new owners were carefully selected after meeting certain requirements, he said.
Gaia’s new owner, Valeria Zevallos, said she was impressed by her new pet’s previous career in saving lives.
“Many adventures await us now. After work adventures, family adventures,” she said.
