EGG, THE DRUG DOG RETIRES

His nose for sniffing out crime put Egg, the springer spaniel, at the top
of his profession.

In six years of loyal service with customs at the Vancouver Airport, he has
detected drugs worth $59 million and helped bring scores of would-be
smugglers to justice.

But now, at the age of nine years and with failing eyesight, he has been
retired, so to speak and has relinquished his title in doing so. He has
gone to live in northern British Columbia, with Chris and Sarah Nixon,
together with their children, seven-year-old Isabel, Abigail 6, and Joshua, 4.

"We were all sad to see him leave," said is customs handler, Dave Jones.
"We could have carried on for another year or so but we were afraid his
work may have aggravated is condition, so we thought it best for him to go now.

"He has been tremendously successful in sniffing out drugs like cocaine,
heroin, cannabis and ecstasy. No other dog, based at the airport, has
detected as much drug smuggling with as much street value, as Egg."

Egg's illustrious career began after a poor start in life. He was found
roaming the streets of Vancouver and taken to a dog's home rather than the
nearest Humane Society for fear he would not get adopted. There he was
named Egg because it was Easter.

Customs officers, who are always on the lookout for new recruits,
recognized his potential. They teamed him up with his handler, Mr. Jones.

Since then the pair has made 266 successful drug detections.

The job has had its moments of danger though. On one such occasion Egg
nearly lost his life. After finding a bag of heroin the bag burst in his
mouth and accidentally swallowed a goodly amount of it. After it was
realized what had happened, Egg was rushed to a qualified veterinary clinic
where they pumped out his stomach and fortunately for Egg, he was able to
recover. He now has retired to a very loving and understanding family,
where he will be taken care of for the rest of his days.

[snip]