Letter to a Fallen K9

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Letter to a Fallen K9

Posted: 6/30/2016 7:43:01 PM EDT

Any
dog owner who has lost a pet can attest to how painful letting go can
be, and the grief is no different for police officers and their K9s.

Sgt.
Michael Spitaleri, from Florida's Clearwater Police Department, is
currently mourning "the most difficult day" in his career. After
spending six years with his K9 partner, Major, he had to put his dog
down. In a touching tribute to the dog, Sgt. Spitaleri wrote a moving
700-word letter, bidding farewell to his canine companion.

To my faithful partner,

Today
has been the most difficult day of my career. I made the decision to
end your pain and suffering, however I'm hurting far more than I
anticipated. I already miss you, buddy.

I
remember picking you up from the airport right before we began K-9
school together. My first impression wasn't accurate. I thought you were
small and you appeared to be a bit timid at first glance. I honestly
didn't know if you had what it took to be a police dog. Nonetheless, we
started K-9 school together in November of 2008. I quickly learned my
initial assessment was wrong. You proved yourself to me time and time
again. Your willingness to please me, your loyalty, and your
fearlessness was very apparent as we progressed and graduated K-9 school
in March 2009.

As
a team, we had immediate success on the road. During our first week
together that March, you successfully tracked and located a man who
threatened his wife with a knife. Our skills and ability got better day
in and day out from that point. Throughout the years, we located dozens
of criminals, illegal narcotics, firearms, and other items of
evidentiary value. These arrests and finds wouldn't have been possible
without you. You made me look like a superstar at times; truth be told, I
was nothing more than the guy who held your leash.

Your
reputation with our coworkers was highly respected. I always laughed
when we would train with the SWAT team. During those training sessions
we were around some of the toughest men I have ever had the privilege of
working alongside. When I would get you out of the car I would watch as
these tough men would find the nearest corner of the room in an attempt
to be as far away from you as possible, because they thought you were
"crazy." You weren't crazy; you were my protector. You were their
protector. You knew no limits and you would stop at nothing to make sure
we made it home safely to our families. You took your job seriously.

I'll
never forget when I would try and key the radio to talk. It never
failed; as soon as I got our call sign out "K4" to the dispatcher you
would begin barking so loud they couldn't hear a thing I was trying to
say. I would get messages and/or requests from the dispatchers to repeat
my transmissions. They knew I couldn't stand it when you "talked" over
me; however it was something you never grew out of. We still laugh about
it to this day.

When
you retired in 2014 due to medical conditions, the adjustment to being a
normal dog was difficult for you. You would watch me get ready and run
to the door in anticipation of going to work. I know you didn't
understand the reasons I retired you, however I did it because I loved
you, buddy. I wanted to make sure your medical conditions didn't get
worse. I wanted you to live a good quality life during your retirement.
You deserved that and I stand by my decision. Just like you looked out
for me every single shift, it was my turn to look out for you and
protect you.

Although
I know you didn't enjoy retirement like humans do, I'm proud to say you
adjusted as much as you could. You became my wife's dog. You became my
children's dog. You made sure they were protected when Daddy went to
work with his new dog, Echo. You would lay by my kids' door at night
while they slept, almost as if to say "I got them, Daddy, you go to
work, and they'll be fine". I felt at peace knowing you were home
keeping them safe. Thank you for protecting them like you protected me
for all of those years.

I
could go on and on about you. You made me the K-9 handler that I am
today. You never met a challenge that you didn't rise to the occasion.
You were a great partner and I am forever thankful for you.

Major,
I love you and I will always remember our time together. Please go find
the nearest police officer when you get to heaven and tell them you are
a police dog and you are reporting for duty. Until I see you again………….

Love, Dad

View Quote

Posted: 6/30/2016 7:47:02 PM EDT

[#1]

Posted: 6/30/2016 7:48:47 PM EDT

[#2]

Dude I can't read stuff like this.

RIP.

Posted: 6/30/2016 7:50:19 PM EDT

[#3]

Nice

Posted: 6/30/2016 7:50:47 PM EDT

[#4]

Rip

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:13:51 PM EDT

[#5]

Damn, that was difficult to read.

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:16:38 PM EDT

[#6]

Dusty in here.

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:18:00 PM EDT

[#7]

Beautiful Dog.
I had a 100% Black GSD that looked just like him.

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:20:29 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dusty in here.

View Quote

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:35:27 PM EDT

[#9]

That's touching. RIP boy.

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:43:10 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Damn, that was difficult to read.

View Quote

Yeah, no kidding.

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:43:33 PM EDT

[#11]

True stuff there. Officer really put it out there from the heart.

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:52:11 PM EDT

[#12]

Awesome read. I'm happy to know the K9 was loved and looked after. That doesn't happen very often anymore.

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:54:46 PM EDT

[#13]

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:55:46 PM EDT

[#14]

Posted: 6/30/2016 8:59:00 PM EDT

[#15]

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Letter to a Fallen K9

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