Saying good bye to your dog is never easy. Still, this particular gesture is even more bittersweet when your dog is a co-worker.
After years of service, Vilo, the Orem Police Department’s K-9, is a retired German Shepherd-Malinois who is now leaving the job after giving perfect service. Quentin —his handler as a patrol puppy for three years —is leaving and now it’s time to say goodbye.
Not Quite A Match Made In Heaven
Quentin was not Vilo’s first handler — they had been together only three years. But Vilo was not exactly warm toward his new pal the first time they met.
“He was growling at me the whole way home when I picked him up”, Quentin says.
Vilo struggled to adapt to a new handler, though neither he nor Quentin knew that a special bond was about to form.
A Lifetime Bond Had Formed After A While
Quentin and Vilo hit it off, quickly. Indeed, they were both members of law enforcement with an exacting, methodical daily regimen.
As the assignments went on, Vilo and Quentin bonded day by day, and before long, they could no longer part with each other.
“He turns out to be your brother and your partner.”
Vilo is the perfect police dog with years of experience in the search and prosecution of felons. His trainability and natural good instinct helped Quentin lots of times.
Vilo Experienced a Few “Life-and-Death” Moments
There were moments when Vilo was hanging by a thread between life and death. Other of their tasks were really complicated, as they required Vilo to chase armed criminals or make the field secure before the arrest
“It’s such a weighty decision that you have to make … You put all of your trust in him, and he puts all of his trust in you, and it’s really something that’s hard to explain unless you’ve done it.”
Fortunately and for really, thanks to neither Vilo nor Quentin ever being life-injured. He retired from policing with a clean slate, which is why his colleagues in blue decided to send him off in style.
His Colleagues Gave Him An Emotional Radio-Call
Vilo received his final send-off through a radio in a police car alongside his partner.
This was an emotional moment for Quentin, because the message prepared by the colleagues was extremely touching. And although Vilo didn’t comprehend the specific words, it soon became clear to him what his colleague was feeling.
“You deserve so much needed rest. Thank you for keeping your handlers safe throughout your career, and bringing them home day after day. “You will be missed, K-9 Vilo 1042,” was the final message.
ViloIs Also An Excellent Family Dog
And even though he’s no longer a police dog, Vilo and Quentin are still life companions, just in a different way. Vilo’s a family dog now, doing well with daily chores, and loving it!
It took him some time to adjust to an entirely new daily schedule, but he did.
Quentin and Vilo are now happily together, showing that retired police dogs are just as likely to be impeccable pets.
