b'K-9 Memorial CeremonyIs A Service of Loveand RemembranceThe Tampa Bay area is home to a large pet of the handler, who then becomesvariety of specially trained law enforce- responsibleforthedogsmedicalandment K-9s who assist police and other final disposition expenses. agencies in various capacities. Their vast Keenan,alife-timeanimallover,dutiesrangefromdetectingnarcotics decided immediately that the dogs whoand explosives to tracking missing per- sogallantlyservedourcommunity,sons and apprehending suspects. These deserved a dignified and honorable finalhighly skilled animals undergo rigorous resting place. Less than a year later, a spe-traininganddevelopacloseworking cial section was created in Curlew Hillsrelationshipwiththeirhandlers,often for K-9s who served in the local policerisking their lives in the line of duty. andsheriffsdepartments.TheyalsoBut,whathappenswhenoneof created an immediate policy which gavethese magnificent K-9s pass away? You theburialspaceoftheK-9stothemay be surprised at the answer. handlers completely free of charge.In 2008, Keenan Knopke, President I knew right away that somethingandCEOofCurlewHillsMemory needed to be done to give a proper rest-Above: Pinellas County Sheriffs Office Gardens, learned that the law enforce- ingplacetotheseamazinganimals,Deputy Wyeth Whitehurst and K-9 Devon ment K-9s in our area did not have a statesKeenan.Ourpetcemeterywasduring the K-9 Memorial at Curlew Hills properplaceofburial.Therewasno the ideal place because it provided a per-Memory Gardens. Top right: Honoring the specific ceremony, policy or place desig- manentandhonorablelocationwheremore than 100 K-9 partners buried in nated for these service dogs when they officerscouldgrieve,reflect,andfinda special section of the pet cemetery at passedaway.Moreover,oncetheK-9 solace in knowing their K-9s are restingCurlew Hills Memory Gardens. retires from duty, it becomes a personal in peace.44 THE NEW BARKER'