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May 11, 2011

While waiting to take the ferry over to Staten Island on Sunday to visit Sam and Marge, I made friends with this big, meaty-headed boy named Dash. He is one of many bomb-sniffing dogs that work every day to keep tourists and commuters safe.

I wonder if people feel less nervous to have Labs sniffing their luggage, rather than a German Shepherd or a Malinois? I love me some herding dog, as you know, but I suppose a good, solid retriever seems more friendly.

What do you think?

best dog blog, champion of my heartDash wasn’t on duty yet, which I’m guessing is why his handler let me pet him and fuss on him. Dash is a real doll. He kept picking up his own leash handle and prancing around, trying to get me to play.

Dash didn’t actually sniff my backpack, another younger dog near the waiting area had that job.

That dog’s handler laughed, when I got excited to see the pup working.

“Come on over and check it out,” I told the pup.

His handler teased me: “You or the bag?”

So, we shared a giggle, and I thanked them for their hard work.

Let’s face it. My attempts at scent training haven’t gone so well, so I really, REALLY admire and respect these handlers and dogs because I know how hard it is to teach such specific scent discrimination.

Dash lives at home with his partner, which is terrific, not at some bomb dog kennel or anything. So, he is a working dog, but he also has a family and a normal life outside his work day.

I forgot to ask … I wonder if the dogs themselves get paid to help cover their costs and stuff. Does anyone know?

I’m guessing not, but they should because they work very hard.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. I’m always curious when I see working dogs like bomb dogs, police dogs, DEA dogs at airports whether they have a good life and are treated well. I truly don’t know! They seem happy but one wonders.

  2. Dash is quite a dashing fellow! I’m with Allie, though, I love me some pitties.

  3. I am always amazed at service dogs; their intelligence, perseverance and talent. And how rewarding it must be as their trainer/handler to see them doing good in the world.

  4. This is a not-quite-wordless wordless Wednesday, but I’m glad for it. What a cool dog, and I bet his handler is too. =]

  5. I’ve seen these dogs at the airport too. Cool story. On another note, the food-sniffing beagles caught us when we returned from Italy with Cosmo. I brought some of his treats with me, and they were in my carry on. It was pretty funny to see the Beagle lock in on Cosmo’s snacks! His handler was very good-natured about it and sent us on our way, treats and all!

    1. I hadn’t thought about the whole crossing borders food thing. I’m glad it worked out and Cosmo could keep his treats. I had a TSA agent get pissy with me because I forgot there was a small bottle of water in the side pouch of my backpack on the trip home from NYC. Mesh pouch, bottle visible to the naked eye, and she treated me like I was trying to get away with something. :o(

  6. I do love herding breeds, but I think people in general would find a dog that’s usually thought of as a ‘happy happy friendly family dog’ to be a better idea.

    I recently saw a young labrador doing drug sniffing training in the train station I stop at for university, and had to resist the urge to stare at him or go and introduce myself with pets!

  7. I’d personally prefer to have a pit bull sniffing my luggage. They’re my faves, other than mutts. But Dash is pretty cute, though 🙂

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