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American Morning

Rescue and Recovery Dogs Get Recognition

Aired February 21, 2002 - 08:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: They may not realize it, but the rescue and recovery dogs that have been working since 9-11 are getting some recognition. Even if applause and accolades aren't exactly something dogs can sink their teeth into, they seem to enjoy it.

And CNN's Jeanne Moos has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Good dog! Picking his way over jagged metal and shifting concrete, dangling in midair.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good boy!

MOOS: In the old days, our idea of a hero dog was Rin Tin Tin.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At ease, Rinny.

MOOS: These days, Rin Tin Tin has been replaced by...

MICHAEL J. LAFAVE, 2002 WKC SHOW ANNOUNCER: Hammer. And Ace. Skye.

MOOS: From the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, to the ASPCA Annual Awards Luncheon, the rescue and recovery dogs from 9-11 are being thrown more than just a bone of gratitude.

LAFAVE: Joseph Japuto and Bravo.

OFFICER JOSEPH JAPUTO, NEW YORK PORT AUTHORITY POLICE: I'm very proud of him, the way he was there, able to work out there.

MOOS: Apollo here barely escaped death by fire at the World Trade Center.

OFFICER PETER DAVIS, NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT: The rubble just gave way and next thing you know I don't see him anymore and I see the fire burning.

MOOS: If Apollo hadn't been soaking wet from swimming to get to the rubble, his handler says they could never have saved him.

At the ASPCA luncheon, the rescue dogs elicited squeals of delight. But the room fell silent as scenes of 9-11 were replayed. (MUSIC PLAYING)

MOOS: Somewhere in that rubble lies buried, Officer David Lim's dog.

LAFAVE: David is the only officer to lose his dog, Cirrus, in the World Trade Center tragedy.

MOOS: The Port Authority policeman now has a new bomb-sniffing canine. He and his old dog were in the canine unit's basement office at the Trade Center when the first plane hit. David put Cirrus in his kennel.

OFFICER DAVID LIM, PORT AUTHORITY POLICE: I told him to hang out right here. I'll be right back to get you.

MOOS: David himself almost died when the second tower collapsed as he was rescuing folks. Three months later, Cirrus was recovered as ceremoniously as any human victim.

LIM: We saw Cirrus on a stretcher with the American flag over him, I knew that was him. I wasn't exactly as strong as I thought I would have been, but it still was bittersweet of course, you know recovering my buddy. I fulfilled a promise to return and get him.

MOOS: The president of the ASPCA celebrated the dogs, even as he mourned his own sister.

DR. LARRY HAWK, PRESIDENT, ASPCA: My sister was a flight attendant on American.

MOOS: Families who lost loved ones were comforted by therapy dogs like Molly, so they too were honored. But do the dogs know what the fuss is all about?

JAPUTO: He's getting petted by everybody and he knows the -- he knows the spotlight's on him.

MOOS: The Pierre Hotel sure beats the dog house.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The dog now wants a salad and a glass of white wine.

MOOS: Not some roll rolling around the floor. They have their name in lights. They've even been blessed.

UNIDENTIFIED FRANCISCAN MONK: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

MOOS: Instead of carrying cameras around their necks and taking pictures, they're getting their picture taken. But best of all, they're getting their ears rubbed.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE) ZAHN: Should we do a collective bravo for the canines?

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Awwwwww.

(APPLAUSE)

ZAHN: Yes, fabulous.

COOPER: Those dogs.

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