Canine Heroes

9/11, a day burned into the memories of Americans everywhere, happened a long time ago, as time goes for us all now in the electronic age. We're so used to instant reports, the event of the day, rewritten history, and sound bites instead of real news. Sometimes it's good to slow down and look behind us, take time to examine history in the fuller context.

We  continue to salute the military and contracted personnel who are serving overseas in the conflicts that began after 9/11, as well as the first reponders who gave everything they had to save others during that horrible day, but not so much attention has been given to the canine component. Nearly 100 dogs, many who had been retired for years, and their civilian handlers, came from all over the country to assist with the rescue and recovery work.

Ten years later, in 2011, just 12 of these heroic canines survived. They have been commemorated in a touching series of portraits entitled 'Retrieved'. View the complete article and photo of the four footed heroes here.

Michael Hingson was at work that day, with his guide dog, Roselle. In an article he commented, "I would not be alive today if it weren't for Roselle. On Sept. 11, 2001 Roselle and I were in our office on the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center when it was struck by American Airlines Flight 11, hijacked and under terrorist control. Our escape from that tower moments before its collapse is story that has been told around the world and is still an inspiration to many. This amazing story is the subject of my new book called “Thunder Dog” co-authored with Susy Flory." The book is available on his website and on Amazon.


The yellow lab calmly guided her blind charge 1,463 steps out of the building and, as debris fell and dust billowed, found a subway station and led them both underground to safety. Michael commented, "Roselle’s service on 9/11 was a testimony not only to the Sterns and the others who raised her, but to her trainer, Todd Jurek, the entire Guide Dogs for the Blind training staff, and all the people who make up that wonderful organization. Most of all, what Roselle did that day and in fact every day she and I were together is nothing less than the most powerful evidence I can provide of the enduring value of trust and teamwork.

Roselle died in June at the age 13, but her heroism lives on. At a star-studded red carpet event in L.A. last year the yellow lab was was honored posthumously as the American Hero Dog of the Year.

As time goes by our memory dims and we tend to forget the horror and tragedy of that day, but I think it is important that we remember. Only in remembering events such as 9/11 can we truly appreciate the valor displayed by all the rescuers, both human and canine. Only in remembering can we as a nation continue to work to prevent another such event.