The Last Known Living 9/11 Search And Rescue Dog Rewarded With Dream Day In NYC
Bretagne during her special day/Bark Post
Bretagne, the last known living search and rescue dog who worked at Ground Zero has been rewarded with a dream ‘Sweet 16’ birthday.
The deserving pooch enjoyed a limousine ride, playtime at a river park and a special party during her day out in New York City.
The Bark Post and 1Hotels gave the golden retriever and her handler and owner Denise Corliss a day to remember, 14 years after their vital first deployment.
As members of Texas Task Force 1, Bretagne and Denise joined nearly 100 other search and rescue dogs to find and save people trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center after 9/11.
“We were there to try to find survivors and when our task force arrived in Ground Zero, I just couldn’t believe the magnitude of it,” Denise told the publication in a moving video. “But then I looked down at [Bretagne] and she was ready to work.”
Bretagne and handler Denise Corliss/Texas Task Force 1
She added: “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 who helped me get through it. She represents the working dogs and they are all deserving for a day like today.”
First up, Bretagne was collected from the airport via limousine before she received a hero’s welcome at luxury 1 Hotel Central Park.
She was taken to a special doggy suite, where her bed and favourite treats were ready and waiting.
“She’s very excited about the food,” said Denise.
Then it was on to in-room dining, where Bretagne wasted no time in sampling the gourmet burger.
Bretagne enjoyed a special day out in New York City/Texas Task Force 1
Next up, Bretagne enjoyed a ride to Times Square via vintage New York taxi where a big Happy Birthday message was flashed up on a giant billboard alongside a note thanking the duo for their service to the city.
“When we deployed to some of the disasters, what I didn’t anticipate was the role they’d take on as a therapy dog,” said Denise. “It provides the opportunity for people to have support for the dog and comfort from the dog.”
But the birthday girl seemed to get most excited for playtime in Hudson River park where she and Denise were presented with a commemorative Tiffany bone charm which signalled the ‘doggy equivalent’ of freedom of the city.
For the final surprise, Bretagne donned a hat and was able to let her fur down at a party back at the hotel complete with gifts and a special two tier doggie birthday cake.
“Bretagne and I have a really strong bond,” said an emotional Denise. “A lot of dog handlers say you get that one dog. I’ve had several canine partners but Bretagne is that one dog for me.”
Bretagne/Bark Post
