The dogs of San Ramon's K-9 unit were honored Friday afternoon at the Bollinger Canyon Animal Hospital by being presented with portraits of themselves.
“We want to give thanks for the service these dogs do, they put themselves in the line of duty every day,” said veterinarian Sandy Block.
Officials at the animal hospital commissioned local artist Lori Depole to paint the portraits of Dar, Deny and Bongo, the San Ramon K-9 units three German Shepherds.
Depole was thankful for the opportunity to paint the dogs.
“It was a privilege,” she said. “I just hope I captured their personalities.”
The first dog to be presented with its portait was a completely black 5-year--old German Shephard named Bongo. His handler is officer Chris Bruce.
As Bongo noticed officer Marty Echelmeier approach the hospital with his partner Dar, an 11-year old multi-colored German Shephard, Bongo left his previously docile state and began to bark at the approaching canine.
“None of them get along,” said Bruce. “They all want to be the alpha dog.”
Deny, the third dog to be honored, was not present at the event because his partner, officer Keith Butler, was at home injured.
“Keith hurt his back and is going to be retired, which means Deny will retire also,” said Echelmeier.
When an officer of the K-9 unit retires, the dog has to retire as well due to the close bond the two share with one another.
According to Echelmeier’s wife, Sandy Echelmeier, the dogs on the unit come from Czechoslovakia. Because they were trained in Czecholslovakia, the dogs only respond to Czech commands.
“‘Sit’ is ‘Sadne’, ‘lie down’ is ‘Kanhe’, and ‘no’ or ‘off’ is ‘Fui,’” said Sandy Echelmeier. “‘Dar’ means ‘to give.’ He would definitely give his life for Marty.”
According to Block, besides chasing criminals, the dogs also “conduct drug searches, are used for public relations and are brought into schools to teach kids about law enforcement.”
Regarding a question about their compensation, San Ramon Mayor H. Abram Wilson said, “They just work for Kibble.”