Westminster Club plans 9-11 tribute

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Monday, February 11, 2002

NEW YORK -- Most years, Apollo would never make it to the Westminster dog show.

He's getting a bit gray in the muzzle, his teeth are yellowing and he's slowing down. Not at all like the 2,500 perfectly primped pooches at America's most prestigious canine competition.

Come tonight, though, the 10-year-old German shepherd from the New York Police Department will stand proudly in the center ring at Madison Square Garden.

Apollo will be among a dozen search and rescue dogs honored in a tribute to their tireless work at the World Trade Center and Pentagon following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"The first thing we thought was, 'How are we going to recognize these dogs?"' show chairman Thomas Bradley said. "We kind of mushed it around, and being here in New York, we thought this was the way to do it."

"This might also help take away criticism we occasionally get for being a beauty show, a Miss America for dogs," he said. "We hope this will be an ongoing thing."

Lt. Daniel Donadio was surprised and honored that Westminster called. The head of the NYPD's canine unit -- which includes up to 31 German shepherds and three bloodhounds -- had watched the big show on television a few times but never attended.

"When we walk out on that green carpet at the Garden, it'll really be something," he said. "But let's remember, it's all about the dogs. And don't forget, they're still there at ground zero, working every day to recover bodies."

Apollo, among them.

He was at the site of the disaster 15 minutes after the World Trade Center towers collapsed, and he nearly was killed. Apollo became completely engulfed in flames because of falling debris but was lucky -- having just emerged from a pool of water, he did not catch on fire.

"We just brushed the embers off him, and he kept working," Donadio said.

Donadio plans to bring a few dogs and their handlers. The teams will be honored around 9 p.m. on the first night of the two-day show.

USA Network, televising the event and the ceremony, combined with the Westminster Kennel Club and the Pedigree company to contribute $275,000 to the National Association for Search and Rescue.

Mike Tuttle, the president of NASAR, might take up to 11 dogs -- many of them retrievers -- from all over the country to the Garden.

"I knew Westminster's background, and this is highly unusual for them to go away from their normal program," he said. "It's such a prestigious organization, and we're so thrilled to be going."

Tuttle, who works for the sheriff's department in San Bernadino, Calif., thinks the ceremony and donation will help heighten awareness of his cause.

"The events of 9-11 and Oklahoma City bring to the forefront the urban search and rescue dogs," he said.

Donadio was looking forward to a chance to say thanks to everyone who supported Apollo and the other NYPD canines, who worked long hours despite hot paws and hunger.

"You should have seen the things that got sent to them. More biscuits and booties than they could ever use," he said. "But we appreciated every one. It just goes to show you how much New Yorkers love their dogs."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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