Retirement is something to celebrate…even for a dog.
TTirado isn’t just any dog. He is one of TSA’s most loyal employees or he was until it was time for him to hang up his harness and enjoy his golden years in the comfort of his handler’s home. The beloved black labrador retriever was a trusted TSA service explosive detection canine for more than 8 years. Just look at this good boy.
TSA’s official goodbye to TTirado.
The TSA Twitter page included a special announcement regarding the service canine’s retirement. “After more than 8 years of service explosive detection canine TTirado has officially retired. He was adopted by his handler Keith Gray and will spend retirement at home with his family. Check out this clip of his final bag search and reward!” Twitter@TSA Southeast
TTirado went out with a bang.
Fellow TSA workers celebrated the hard-working pooch with a surprise on his last day of service. The video shows TTirado approaching a suitcase, sniffing it, and sitting in front of the bag. The dog is focused on the bag and there is a short moment of silence before the main event. It’s possible the balloons tipped the dog off that something special is about to happen…we will never know.
It’s raining tennis balls.
TTirado patiently waits in front of the suitcase looking proud that he is fulfilling his duties when all of the sudden, buckets of yellow tennis balls are falling from the sky. The dog happily runs around the tennis balls and even tries to catch a few. There will be no shortage of chew toys during retirement for TTirado.
A very deserving dog.
TTirado’s fellow TSA coworkers are heard cheering and applauding in the video. There is no way they are going to let him go without a proper send-off. And what a send-off it was. The dog is running around with glee and the happy shouting from his handler and friends makes the entire moment something to remember.
The world loves TTirado.
After the video was posted to Twitter, it quickly went viral. TSA included a follow-up message with more information about the canine. The message read, “TTirado was also one of our longest-serving canines— having graduated in the third class of screening canines at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX in 2012.” They also made sure to include some of TTirado’s most memorable photos during his years in service.
He has a hero’s name.
It seems fitting that this honorable service dog is named after a fallen hero. TSA’s Twitter page mentions that the dog is named after the late Hector Luis Tirado, Jr. Tirado Jr. was a firefighter in New York who died keeping others safe on September 11, 2001. “Canines named this way are identified with a double letter at the beginning of their name.” – Twitter@TSA Southeast. Now that he is retired, TTirado has earned a little rest and recovery.
Good Boy!
Now that he has been officially released from duty, this well-loved service dog can enjoy some easier days. Hurray for TTirado and great job to TSA for giving him an incredible goodbye party.
Now watch the video to see this sweet dog’s going away surprise.
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