More than 300 dogs helped search for survivors on 9/11. In fact, the last person rescued at ground zero was found by a search and rescue dog.
The search was mentally and physically taxing on the dogs, who walked across huge piles of debris and smoldering rubble. As the days went by, dogs became sad when they were no longer finding people alive. So, to keep their spirits up, their handlers staged mock rescues. They would have people hide under debris for dogs to find. This boosted the dogs’ morale as they continued their work.
In addition to rescue dogs, therapy dogs were brought to the scene to provide comfort to emotionally drained and traumatized police officers and firefighters.
Dogs are the best thing in the world and we do not deserve them.
The Dog Who Wouldn't Stop Searching
On September 11, 2001, Apollo disappeared into a hole in the rubble at Ground Zero.
Then a fireball erupted.
Seconds later, the German Shepherd came running back toward his handler, NYPD Officer Peter Davis.
Apollo was on fire.
Davis brushed the burning embers from his thick coat.
And Apollo went right back to searching.
Apollo was nine years old—an age when many police dogs had already retired. But that morning, he and Davis became the first canine search-and-rescue team to arrive at Ground Zero.
The conditions were brutal.
To reach the rubble, Davis later recalled wading through water that came nearly to his waist. Apollo searched across jagged concrete and dangerously hot debris. His coat was singed. His paws became cracked and bruised.
Still, he searched.
Apollo had been trained to find the living. But as the hours passed, the terrible reality of the site became clearer. Eventually, Davis had to physically pull Apollo away from the debris when the dog refused to stop looking.
And Apollo wasn't alone.
Search-and-rescue dogs and their handlers worked through wreckage, dust and toxic fumes in the aftermath of the attacks. Apollo became a symbol of all of them.
On March 5, 2002, he was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for courage and devotion to duty. Apollo had been selected by ballot to receive the honor on behalf of every search-and-rescue dog that had worked at the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Apollo lived to be 14.
Twenty-five years later, we remember the people who ran toward danger that morning.
Apollo reminds us that not all of them ran on two legs.
❤️🐾
At exactly 9:11 AM, more than 30 Times Square billboards changed together, replacing their advertisements with a tribute for one minute of silence.
Twenty-five years later, in one of the loudest places in New York City, the city paused to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001.
@Sept11Memorial Peace isn't permanent.
Freedom isn't free.
Everything we take for granted can be taken away without either.
That's why we can't forget.
Never forget.
@ShannonMFHill Peace isn't permanent.
Freedom isn't free.
Everything we take for granted can be taken away without either.
That's why we can't forget.
Never forget.
Today marks 25 years since the September 11 attacks. In honor of those impacted, the Embassy has lowered its flag to half-staff. Japan continues to stand with the United States as an ally and friend.
@musicbyknox Lately, I've been needing something on the peaceful side.
Like @Sia's Angel by the Wings
Or @AURORAmusic's To Be Alright
Or @nanonano_me's Palette
https://t.co/ffNZU34xrC
https://t.co/McLSuXzFuL
https://t.co/aeUnlgVlTW
@nanonano_me It can be nice learning about the artists we love, and learning about what they love. 🙂 Thanks for recommending @musicbyknox, by the way. Got to learn about him now. 😁
If anyone wonders why the 2997 drone is here, here are the details.
The total official casualty count of 2,977 people includes:
2,606 people who died at the World Trade Center site in New York City.
125 people who died at the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia.
246 passengers and crew aboard the four hijacked commercial airplanes (Flights 11, 175, 77, and 93).
She didn’t bark. She didn’t panic.
She just led him to life, step by step. Roselle, the guide dog who saved her blind owner from the 78th floor on 9/11.
One light for every life lost on that day, aligned to maintain an image of the memory slowly drifting further into history.
We remember the tragedy of 9/11 to honor those who have perished and to remind ourselves of this hard truth of reality:
-Peace isn't permanent
-Freedom isn't free
-The luxuries of dreams and joy require both
-And all the beautiful things we take for granted can be taken away if we allow it to happen
#NeverForget
A drone light show featuring one drone for every life lost on 9/11 lit up the New York City sky in a powerful tribute to the victims. 🇺🇸
What a beautiful tribute. 🙏🏾