Officer crown! Officer crown!

Houston police K9 T-Rex. (image: K9 T-Rex Twitter)

“Calling all carbs in charge – I gave them a bite for you, now requesting a byte for me. I’m THE good dog and I want the treats to win.

What do I have to do?

I’ve pawed up the city streets to give chase and keep my handler safe. No complaints.  Doin’ a Patrol (only a bit of slobber on the car seat back – that’s enthusiasm for you), SWAT, AND Explosives since 2015, I’m credited with hundreds of captures.

Oh, all the nominees are brave and deserving, so how to stand up among them…

Sad soulful eyes – don’t turn away! Get the handkerchiefs ready!

Fair? All’s fair in love and contests: you gotta use what you’ve got…

Do not click over my Twitter yet to see what I’m like now! Noooo. Sit. Stay with me!

OK Staff, I’ve got them leashed, now over to you to capture their vote. “

During December, 2018 K9 T-Rex was diagnosed with bone cancer in his rear left leg. His A&M oncology Vet recommended T-Rex have his left rear leg amputated surgery to remove the cancer by January 11th 2019.

HPD set a date for Rex’s retirement from patrol duty and reassignment after recovery.

“These dogs are like your children,” T-Rex’s handler, Officer Paul Foster said. “You spend every day with your dog, and you worry about them hurting themselves.”

But on Dec 31, the last day of night duty, disaster:

There was a cell phone burglary by three men and T-Rex was hot on the trail of one of the men, chasing him through a neighborhood and leaping over chain link fences.

“When T-Rex attempted to clear one high piece of fence, a section of the metal bars sliced open the tissue on his abdomen. Despite the injury, T-Rex continued to chase after the man until the suspect was trapped on the roof of a house and apprehended some 30-40 minutes later.( news story here.)

T-Rex required more than 40 stitches and staples along his tummy, but the leg adjacent to his laceration – which is not the leg where the cancer was spotted – was not significantly affected”.

“My focus was on getting T-Rex better,” Foster said. “It’s been miserable for him wearing that ‘cone of shame.’ He is so high-energy and ‘go go go,’ and slowing him down (to heal) has been our biggest obstacle.”

Don’t give him the cold shoulder – he’s shouldered so much. 

Here. Look at that face.

Lose a leg or lose your life. Far less complicated for dogs. 

Besides his new gait comes with some benefits:

• He’s now an inside dog. Couch privileges! With plenty of cuddle time with his handler’s daughter.
• People send him special Back the Blue blankets and therapeutic beds
• And not stuck in a HPD desk job, either. T-Rex, trained as an explosive detection dog, gets to attend all major sports and city events. T-Rex also serves as a community outreach partner – more kids!
• “Houston K9 officer loses leg but gains new lease on life” (From the university/vets who cared for T-Rex. Great interview.)

Want to see T-Rex up and running 3 days after his operation? Smiles here:

“Houston Police K9 officer T-Rex nominated for K9 of the Year” 

Top 10 K9 of the Year Nominations for K9s of Valor Award – here.

The winner not only gets barking rights, but also is awarded a grant for equipment and supplies.

• You can vote for as many of the Top K9s as you would like but only one vote for each K9, per day.
• You must confirm your email address, but only need to do this once.
• Click on the picture to read about each K9 going above and beyond then cast your vote!

Voting closes Feb. 4, 2019.

Click here to see T-Rex’s page and to vote for this brave K9 officer

I know the Arctic Vortex is keeping you chill, so help crown Officer T-Rex.

It’ll warm your heart.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge