Video: Celebrate 9/11’s Last Rescue Dog

Fourteen years ago today, Texas Task Force 1 K9 officer Denise Corliss went on her first deployment with a new partner, a golden retriever named Bretagne. Joining close to 100 other search-and-rescue teams from around the country, they worked tirelessly to find and save people trapped beneath the rubble of the World Trade Center. Bretagne and Corliss have been together ever since, and last month they returned to New York to celebrate the brave pup’s sweet 16.

As the last known remaining rescue dog from the 9/11 recovery, Bretagne was given a hero’s welcome in the Big Apple. She got lots of new toys and presents, a dog-friendly cake, and frolicked in a dog park, finally resting in a swanky Central Park hotel. In true hero fashion, she endured it all with a toothy smile and wagging tail.

The trip was put together by doggie blog Bark Post and retailer BarkBox, as part of a series featuring notable pups they call Dog’s Best Day.

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• John Avlon on The Resilent City