Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/286869
was several times greater than the previous largest seizure in Commonwealth history. During his career he helped to rid the streets of drugs. He was able to locate and assist in the seizure of more than 1,000 grams of heroin, more than 8,600 grams of cocaine (one seizure alone of more than 7 pounds that had been canned mechanically), more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana, and more than $14,000,000 in cash. Dante was very intelligent; one day when I was out with him I made the mistake of teaching him to open the cruiser door—a task which took five minutes once I showed him how. From that, Dante figured out that doors open with handles, and all you have to do is grab them with your mouth and pull or turn. He took this new knowledge and taught himself to slide open the door that separated us in the cruiser, his way to always be close to me. While on patrol he would occasionally stick his head through for his occasional ear rub. When you see such a powerful, intelligent dog so helpless at times this somehow made the events that follow even harder. It all started one day while taking Dante out to his kennel. He collapsed on me, fall- ing like a rock with no control of his body. After several tests it was obvious to the vet that Dante had pulmonary hypertension, a disease of unknown cause that prevented him from getting enough oxygen to his lungs and making him collapse. The right side of his heart was enlarged, causing poor blood circulation. As the weeks went on, he started getting seizures because of the same lack of oxygen to his brain. He had one of these seizures in the yard the other day, and after I sat on the ground in the snow with him patting him calmly waiting for it to be over, I came in the house. Upon walking in, to my dismay, I realized my wife and two children had been intently watching us to make sure all was okay. But it wasn't. And when I walked in the door, my wife and daughter were crying , knowing what was to be com- ing , possibly sooner than we were ready. My son was sitting very somberly, thinking if we don't dwell on it things it will get better. My son and daughter were 3 and 1 respectively, when I got Dante. They knew him practi- cally their entire lives. The day came when it was time to take him to the vet for the inevitable. After more than 2,300 rides that we took together, the dog who had trouble making it out to the yard just feet away sat upright in his car for One Last Ride. It was a ride I had I delayed for eight hours, just driving around with him as we did so many times, struggling with the decision to put him down. He sat upright, alert as ever, checking the perimeter always on guard. How does the dog who can barely breathe remain upright and vigilant for so long? I sit here writing this obituary in a park- ing lot not two miles before we reached our final destination. My story is as written, and although it jumps about it is written from the heart. I write this story with tears in my eyes and flowing freely down my face. Dante is still somehow sitting upright watching me as I write about him, every once in a while sticking his head through the cage, letting me know things will be alright. But the more he reassures me, the more I wonder if what I am doing is right. I am glad he made it through the holidays. My wife's birthday was yesterday. I did not want to do that to her; for her to remember her birthday as the day we put down Dante would forever bring a tear to her eye. Much as it does to me as I write this with every new thought and remembrance of my part- ner, each paragraph brings a new thought and anguish for me. Respectfully submitted, Trooper Christopher Coscia Massachusetts State Police K-9 Section I would like to thank Trooper Coscia for sharing his letter with the world. When we lose a K-9 partner, we memo- rialize that team member in different ways. Trooper Coscia's heartfelt letter was an awesome example. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Massachusetts State Police, Trooper Coscia and his family for their loss. R.I.P. K-9 Dante. ■ Over the years, Steve Forgues has worked contract security, police, corrections and tactical operations. He has worked and trained with K-9s since 2000. Forgues has also been writ- ing for law enforcement since 2005. He currently works as a police officer and firefighter in Pennsylvania. Source Code: EBR ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES Everything you need to maintain, repair, customize and shoot your guns All products 100% GUARANTEED – FOREVER brownells.com 800-741-0015 A S H O O T I N G H E R I T A G E A S H O O T I N G H E R I T A G E E S T . 1 9 3 9 E S T . 1 9 3 9 Circle 50 on Reader Service Card LET_32-33_K-9Partner.indd 33 3/20/14 9:43 AM