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. |
China's top procuratorate releases typical realDubai plans to move its busy international airport to a $35 billion new facility within 10 yearsXi calls on Chongqing to write its chapter in Chinese modernizationKFC announces new limited edition menu item to celebrate the start of BBQ seasonGreece expects more Chinese visitors with extra direct air linksDonald Trump is running against Joe Biden. But he keeps bringing up another Democrat: Jimmy CarterOrganizers start ticket refund process for Messi's no3 dead in east China residential complex fireChina draws with Singapore in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifierGuangdong hand Sichuan 14th defeat in a row