LIFE'S A CAKE NOW FOR JAKE THE DETECTOR DOG

Sure, it was a big sendoff with officials, plaques, praise and plenty
of patting, but all Jake the detector dog could think about yesterday
was cake. It was his cake, after all.

The occasion? Seven-year-old Jake, a very handsome black Labrador
retriever, has decided to retire his sniffer and head for the couch
after six hard years on the job with the Canada Border Services
Agency. He'll be living a life of leisure at home with his handler of
many years, Connie, his customs agent partner.

By the way, Connie, will Jake be allowed on the couch? "Mmmm, no, but
he'll be spending less kennel time, and a lot more time in the house,
so he'll love it. I do have a futon he'll be allowed on."

And I'm not kidding about the cake (white/chocolate with LOTS of
icing). Connie gave Jake a piece, which he literally vacuumed in. Then
when I took my own piece and sat down, Jake almost sucked it off my
plate before I raised it to safety. The boy loves cake.

He also loved his job. A graduate of detector dog school back in July
2000, Jake has had a very distinguished career sniffing out guns and
drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, and hashish.

Our distinguished detective placed first in narcotic detection in the
2003 Canadian Police Canine Trials, up from a showing of third in 2001.

Significant seizures on the job include 50 pounds of hash worth
$570,000, and 700 ecstasy pills worth $28,000. His daily routine
included following his nose through Winnipeg International Airport,
checking out luggage, packages and passengers, and touring a number of
warehouses throughout the city.

Of course, the fact his career has officially ended doesn't mean his
nose knows it's retired. If there are drugs or guns around, he'll
point them out, just as he's done a few times when off-duty with Connie.

Once at a public demonstration in a mall, Jake "pointed" out a
shopper's backpack to Connie. Since she was out of her jurisdiction,
she had to let the guy go, who just smirked and walked away.

Another time in the off-leash park, Jake nailed another passerby for
possessing forbidden cargo, but again, Connie had to let it pass.

Along with his sniffing accomplishments, a customs official yesterday
credited Jake with being "one of our best ambassadors." Jake has been
introduced to more than 8,000 school kids during CBSA presentations
over the years.

Now it's off to a life of leisure, and endless affection from his
partner and pal, Connie.

"Once the dogs have finished their work, we can find them a good
family to go to, but no way was I letting this guy get away," says
Connie, admiring her buddy yesterday. "Oh man, there's such a strong
bond between us. He's with me constantly. One move, a twitch, and he
knows exactly what I want. He's just my baby."

He did forget her momentarily, though, at the end of yesterday's
ceremony, when another customs officer came over and plopped yet more
cake down in front of him. Connie ended up in a tug of war with her
pooch for the paper plate he was trying to chow down once he'd licked
the plate clean.

Happy chilling, Jake. Thanks for a job well done.