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Mountain Home News

Retired K-9 officer dies

Friday, September 3, 2010
by Brian S. Orban

Members of the Mountain Home Police Department, along with family and friends, paused last week to honor the memory of a former member of the city's police force.

Bonzai, one of the department's canine officers, died Aug. 19 after succumbing to complications from old age.

Born on April 10, 1997, the Belgian Shepherd joined the city's police force in October 1999 after earning his certification through the Idaho Police Officer Standards Training Academy.

"Bonzai's job was finding drugs, searching buildings and finding people," said Police Sgt. Russell Griggs, who served as the canine's handler during his service with the department.

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  • Just a Dog

    From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

    Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

    Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

    If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

    Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

    "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

    I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

    So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

    Authored by Richard A. Biby

    -- Posted by Lost In The Found Department on Fri, Sep 3, 2010, at 12:10 PM
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  • My thoughts and prayers are with the family and officers that worked with this dog.

    And no truer words have been spoken about their species, Lost in the found department.

    My dogs are my some of my best friends.

    -- Posted by lilmissmelmo on Sat, Sep 4, 2010, at 11:33 AM
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  • Bonzai:

    You will be greatly missed. I remember when you joined the force. May you rest in peace, always have joy in your step, run in green fields and only have good days from here on out. Sympathy to the family. The loss of such a friend leaves a deep hole in your soul and heart but at least you had such a great animal in your life and got to share that time.

    I think a memorial should be started in RR Park for this great dog. A nice fountain with a bench or 2. A nice place to reflect on life and those who have gone on to other places. Perhaps a fundraiser is in order.

    Goodbye Bonzai. You will be greatly missed by all.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sun, Sep 5, 2010, at 8:19 AM
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  • I second Opinionmissy's idea.

    -- Posted by lilmissmelmo on Sun, Sep 5, 2010, at 9:10 PM
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