Retired U.S. Customs Narcotic Detector Dog Anouska 4C-18 passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours on 3/27/11, as always, we were at each others side. She was 15 ½ years old. Anouska began her career in February, 1997 at CETC where we were teamed up; we both hit the jackpot that day. I can still remember those days at school, just like they were yesterday. She was a stubborn Belgian and I was a stubborn German, it was quite a combination, her stubbornness would always prevail. She sure kept me on my toes for the four years we worked together. I taught her how to find narcotics and she taught me how to be a handler. Through the years we had great times, with plenty of good stories to tell.
Unfortunately, her career was cut short by cancer. In May, 2001, she was diagnosed with a Stage 2 mast cell tumor. She had to have her right front leg amputated and she subsequently retired. Unfortunately this was in the prime of her career. But, her new life was about to begin and she would love every minute of it, after all, that’s what makes all the years of work worth it, the retired life.
She loved to relax under her favorite pine tree where she would hang out with her buddy Bear. When Anouska came home, she took over Bear’s house and eventually turned him prematurely grey by the time he was four years old. They would harass each other, he would come over and nip Anouska in the ear, she would turn around and bite him in the neck, all was fair. As she got older, he would bring her tennis balls and bones to wherever she was lying down. They got to tear open Christmas presents together, eat turkey dinners together and hang out by the fireplace together. They were true buddies. She got to swim in the pool every summer and sit by the fireplace every winter. There were two things she enjoyed most, one was just being outside, it could be 10 degrees with snow coming down, and there she was outside lying down in it. She lived for the snowstorms because she loved to eat the snow. The other thing was just enjoying quiet family time in front of the television, where she was content that everyone was home safe and she could rest easy. I can’t even begin to touch on all the stories from her life’s experiences except to say she really had a great life!
Well, Anouska got to spend her final day doing what she loved best, hanging out in the backyard watching my Father do yard work and then enjoyed the evening sitting in front of the fireplace. I couldn’t spoil her enough; after all she deserved nothing but the best. She went to sleep that night on her bed with me sleeping by her side on the floor petting her head. She passed away with the most peaceful, content look on her face, words can’t describe it, I will always remember that look. I only wish every handler could experience that.
Rest in Peace Anouska, you will forever be at my side.
Thanks for the memories!