Military Search Dog Alka: A Retired Hero’s Journey

January 2023, retired British Military Search Dog Alka crossed the rainbow Bridge, and I miss this girl like it was yesterday. Many dogs cross my path, and our paths crossed a few times, and I’m so glad she ended up in my home, as many lost souls of the working dog world do.

I couldn’t bring myself to announce her passing when she left. Felt if I didn’t say it, it wouldn’t be real. She went in for an X-ray and never came home. What we thought was a chest infection was aggressive cancer in the lungs 💔😔

Alka, our beautiful retired British Army Search dog and hero paws trustee, lost her battle with the big C on Friday. She had previously kicked its ass in 2016, but at 13, her body couldn’t fight anymore. We thought and hoped it was just a chest infection, but on X-ray, she couldn’t battle something so bad. She hung in to give us time, but couldn’t see her suffering

Those who worked with and knew her knew she was a royal pain in the butt and never made her life or ours very easy 🤦‍♀️, and she ended up jumping ship on a few homes, eventually finding herself back with me, and I’m so, so, so grateful I ended up being her guardian. Both grumpy witches together.

Never thought I could miss soul so much that was never really mine, but maybe she always was.
In the short 16 months together, she became super versed in every breed going and fell in love with the boys and puppies and showed her teeth to many an annoying dog.

She filled Habibi’s days with fun, love and a pretty scar on his nose 😬 She nipped Marion on a daily basis when he barked at the postman, and she hated my neighbour (don’t we all). She found every weird and wonderful place to sleep until she worked out what a bed was and would often be found feet in the air on the sofa. Her little old lady wiggle grumble chatters

My home is full of her floof from her winter shed, and her beds are empty; her blanket smells of her chinchilla fur. What do you even do with that? I’ve lost dogs in the past. Way too many. But this will leave a mark. It’s too quick to be soon. I know you’re free from pain, so go be a rascal and run free, or curl up in a flower bed somewhere like u do. Just be you ❤️

💔🌈🐾Until Valhalla

I hope you were happy and knew how loved you are, be at peace 🕊