Animal rescue group, “Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue,” saves hero 9/11 bomb sniffing dog from overcrowded new Jersey animal shelter waiting to be euthanized
Glenmont, New York (PRunderground) February 19, 2009 – They say that cats have nine lives; Lacey, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever must have quite a few herself. The bomb-sniffing dog worked sniffing for explosives in vehicles in the Holland Tunnel toward Manhattan – and was called into service to work at the Twin Towers site for the 9/11 tragedy. Ironically these experiences did not endanger Lacey’s life; being neglected by her owner and then dropped off at the animal shelter nearly did.
Lacey was dropped off a New Jersey animal shelter by the ex-wife of her handler after the couple divorced and her handler left Lacey behind. Lacey weighed less than 50 pounds and her cage was stacked on top, with the ones scheduled to be euthanized.
Fortunately an animal rescue group saved Lacey, who at the time was about 9 years old. Two of the group’s volunteers, Denny Bambino and Robin Edwards, a New York state trooper, brought Lacey home to their home in Glenmont, New York. This served as a foster home as Bambino and Edwards already owned a retriever and Lacey was having difficulty when she wasn’t considered the dominant dog in the house.
Lacey’s story appeared in the Albany Times Union newspaper in July 2008 and dozens of people came forward, offering the hero dog a home. Edwards was simply overwhelmed by the offers for Lacey. People that had lost loved ones on 9/11, law enforcement officers and families all wanted this dog.
Her new owner Andy Johnson works for the New York Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. Johnson worked at 9/11 coordinating rescue efforts. At Lacey’s new home she has more than an acre of land and a swimming pool to explore. Johnson will often hide road flares and spent shotgun shells around his rural property for Lacey. Lacey eagerly sniffes them out, knowing explosives are present. She loves doing her work, even though she is retired. “You say to her, ‘Lacey, want to go to work?’ and she becomes a different dog,” Johnson said, “She’s so happy.”
Lacey no longer has ribs that show. She’s put on a good 35 pounds, a lot of which has come from dog biscuits she receives every time she sniffs out another shotgun shell at Johnson’s home. “It seems like we just bonded so well together,” Johnson said, “it’s hard to imagine life without her.” She even has her pictures on www.myspace.com
The story in the Times Union generated such interest in Lacey’s story that she will be featured on Animal Planet. They will film the episode on March 2nd 2009. “The producer of Dogs 101 was researching Chessies and found her story online and contacted us. He said Animal Planet went crazy for her story,” said Robin Edwards. Lacey’s story will appear on Dogs 101 on a date not yet determined. The Times Union story sparked great interest in Lacey’s story and she was then featured on several radio shows and other newspapers. There was even an article written about her in the San Diego Tribune. People as far away as Florida and Connecticut wanted to adopt her. Hundreds of people contacted the rescue organization with interest in adopting her.
About Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue is a national organization with volunteers across the U.S.A.. Volunteers help with Chesapeake Bay Retriever relief and rescue efforts. Chessies admitted to rescue are given a thorough physical examination, receive necessary medical treatment, and are neutered or spayed, immunized and have other necessary tests before placement. Dogs can be viewed online through our list of Rescue Dogs. Potential Adoptees must fill out an Adoption Application and must be approved before an adoption will take place. Learn more by visiting www.cbrrescue.org.
###
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Contact Name: Alex Miranda
Phone: 1-845-259-9396
Email: help@prunderground.com
Web: http://www.prunderground.com
Please direct all questions to the person listed under “contact information” above. PRunderground does not represent this company, we are simply the distributor of this release.
