RIP Officer Rocco

[Kyoko]

http://youtu.be/RQ6E3-iZsPw

Pittsburgh's K9 Officer Rocco was stabbed during his duty by the wanted man. He bravely fought 2 days through the surgery and blood transfusion.

Office Rocco crossed the rainbow bridge today.....

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Kyoko, I found this on the FB page (pittsburg post gazette)...

Trust in me, my friend, for I am your comrade. I will protect you with me last breath.
When all others have left you
and the loneliness of the night closes in,
I will be at your side.

Together we will conquer all obstacles
and search out those whom might wish harm to others.
All I ask of you is compassion,
the caring touch of your hands.

It is for you that I will unselfishly give my life
and spend my nights unrested.
Although our days together
may be marked by the passing of the seasons,
know that each day at your side is my reward.

My days are measured by
the coming and going of your footsteps.
I anticipate them at every opening of the door.
You are the voice of caring when I am ill;
the voice of authority when I’ve done wrong.

Do not chastise me unduly,
for I am your right arm,
the sword at your side.
I attempt to do only what you bid of me.
I seek only to please you and remain in your favor.

Together you and I shall experience
a bond only others like us will understand.
When outsiders see us together
their envy will be measured by their disdain.

I will quietly listen to you
and pass no judgment,
nor will your spoken words be repeated.
I will remain ever silent,
ever vigilant, ever loyal.

And when our time together is done
and you move on in this world,
remember me with kind thoughts and tales,
for a time we were unbeatable.
Nothing passed among us undetected.

If we should meet again on another street
I will gladly take up your fight.
I am a Police Working K-9 and together
We are guardians of the night.

[DJ & Chance]

So beautiful and heartfelt.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Now the tears are flowing...

[Kyoko]

This is so beautiful.....

[Sally S Miles]

Oh, Cheryl - this poem is simply the trigger that set off the flood..... I have not seen it in a long time - we have always had GSD's and they are fiercely loyal,  this poem is so beautiful and I am tangling my words now with the flow.

thanks

[DJ & Chance]

I couldn't watch the video but this is very, very sad.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

OMD.....tears. 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Very sad.  brave boy RIP

[Ginny Nightingale]

As I read your responses and felt so sad, I also thought about how far our attitude towards dogs has come...they are no longer expendable and are part of our lives...respected and treated as we would a friend or family member...this send off for Rocco illustrates that. They appreciated his sacrifice rather than just thinking of it as "lost equipment". In the past, that would have been the attitude. I often think about the contrast between my childhood, growing up with two dogs who were never allowed in the house and today, where my dogs are always at my feet. It is not this way everywhere in the world, but I am glad it is that way here.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm not going to look at this, I just can't it's too awful. RIP Rocco 

[Miss Ellie]

My heart just broke when I saw this on FB this morning...so sad...I have no words...just pure sadness...Rocco you truly are a hero...RIP sweet dog

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is so sad. Kills me.