Dog Names Meaning Rosy

Canines possess seemingly endless talents for which we humans are appreciative, even during tragic and traumatic events, sniffing out other animals, people, narcotics, and explosives, providing comfort to all who passed by.  After the horrific terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2011, many search and rescue dogs were called into service to locate trapped people as well as explosive devices in the rubble at ground zero.  One of those dogs was Tikva and her owner/handler, Cindy Ehlers.  

Tikva,  a gray, fluffy, one-year-old Keeshond, is a therapy dog from The Hope Crisis Team of Eugene, Oregon and Cindy is her handler.  Tikva was one of a team of four therapy dogs trained in crisis response, as well as being one of the 318 therapy dogs and their handlers who were called to work Pier 94 to console and comfort the various detachments of firefighters, police officers and other workers at Ground Zero.  These dogs worked endless hours and days loving on the brave men and women who put aside their safety to rescue any they could during those fateful weeks following the attacks.  Many of these dogs and their handlers, including Tikva and Cindy, suffered long-term and life-long health issues as a result of breathing the foul and contaminated air which permeated the attack site.  

Many of the search and rescue dogs, as well as those members of the therapy units, suffered health maladies, far too many succumbing to them.  On the ten year anniversary of the infamous attack, the city of New York celebrated their efforts in the 9/11 Day of Remembrance.  Over 1,000 search and rescue teams and canine therapy units were asked to attend, as well as current working dog teams who lined the processional route to honor the 9/11 teams.  This recognition event was vital because, like the rest of Tikva’s team, many of the dogs already gone and those who had survived for the ten-year celebration would certainly not live for the next one.

Though Tikva participated in a beautiful dance with the many police, firefighters, and workers, she was a comfort to all who came into contact with her. This dance may have only been a tap of her nose against many a tear-stained face or the placing of her head into the tense, sad hand of a family member who had said farewell to a loved one, but such comfort was she that many asked Cindy if she would please bring Tikva again tomorrow.