A cherished German shepherd dog who worked for the police force and the Fire Department was euthanized after suffering from arthritis and seizures. Caretakers had to put an end to the torture of his illness.
The dog who goes by the name of Sultan was given a proper send-off into the K9 afterlife where he will forever chew on the biggest bones along with running after moving cars. Sultan was 13 years old when he died and during his time on earth, he did great things, such as sniffing out hidden cocaine, along with finding the whereabouts of criminals.
Sultan helped in the capture of dozens of suspects, over 100 pounds of narcotics, and an untold amount of cash. The hero dog was also popular with schoolchildren, making him a prized possession for any family.
It is clear that Sultan has done so many good deeds as a K9 hero, and that's just heartwarming -- and saddening at the same time -- to know that there was once such a dependable furry creature like him in our midst.
Officers and firefighters gave Sultan his final backrubs and scratches before he was escorted on Feb. 13 to a veterinary clinic where he was finally made to rest.
A ceremony was streamed online to all the folks who were unable to attend. Soon after, the story made the newspapers and went completely viral.
Justin Cooley, a K9 handler from the Maine State Police Department, said K9 handlers and their dogs have a strong bond, which is why Sultan has gotten so much support.
"These are dogs that we take home with us; they get to know our family. They're with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You go through a lot of things with them, and you just dread this day," Cooley said.
We hope other dogs in service to the government are treated with the same amount of respect shown to Sultan. These K9s have done a lot of good for their country, and in many cases, if it weren't for these K9s, several criminals would have never been caught.
Rest well, Sultan.
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