DYING DRUG DOG NOT CONTENT TO SIT AROUND HOUSE

LINCOLN - Donna is living her last days doing what she loves best -
detecting illegal drugs for the Lincoln Police Department. In January,
the 11-year-old Belgian Malanior was diagnosed with terminal liver
cancer that has metastasized to other sites in her body.

And although her days are numbered, it has not stopped her from doing
the job she was trained to do. Last month she was responsible for four
felony drug arrests, two misdemeanor drug arrests and the confiscation
of $20,000 in drug money.

"Donna is an exceptional dog," said her handler, Officer Mike
Laffosse. Even with cancer, she is still sniffing out drugs from
marijuana to methamphetamines.

The Lincoln Police Department bought Donna in April 1998. She came
from France, was trained in narcotics detection and cost the
department $5,500. After more training and a succession of handlers,
Laffosse took over the duty and a unique partnership was born.

They live together, work together and train together 24 hours a
day.

He said Donna is still energetic considering her condition.

"We don't do the same amount of training as we did before because her
endurance is not as good, but she seems fine at work and at home," he
said.

One of the highlights of their partnership was an educational
demonstration at a school in Ohatchee.

"We did a good job. I would hold her toy up and she would jump for it,
and she latched on to a stick and I swung her around, just normal
demonstration stuff, but the kids went crazy for her. They wrote a
song for her and drew pictures of her and sent letters. She is just a
special dog," he said.

But one morning in January, her usual agile gait was more like a
drunken stumble across the room, and Laffosse knew immediately
something was wrong.

A trip to veterinarian Dale Lowry in Talladega resulted in a referral
to the Critical Care Program at Auburn University's College of
Veterinary Medicine, where she underwent exploratory surgery. Tests
were run on bone marrow that was taken from her front legs. The
results were heartbreaking for Laffosse.

"They gave her a poor prognosis. She has metastasis cancer involving
the liver and multiple sites. It is terminal, and there's nothing they
can do. They said it would be a matter of weeks or months, and they
emphasized weeks," he said.

Eleven days later, Laffosse took Donna home to recuperate, thinking
she would just lie around the house and keep him company when he was
off work.

But Donna had other plans.

"I would get ready to leave to go to work every day, and she would
just stand at the door and beg and whine to come to work with me. She
hated staying in the house, but I thought she needed to rest. And
after she healed from the surgeries I just let her come to work, and
she loves it. We're still working. We're still certified together and
she just enjoys working," he said.

Since Donna's diagnosis, Laffosse's commitment to her hasn't wavered.
The Lincoln Police Department recently signed her over to Laffosse,
and he is responsible for all her bills.

And he doesn't mind.

"Having Donna has definitely affected me. I'm with her 24 hours a day.
My mom asked me recently if I was prepared for losing her. I don't
know if I'm ever going to be ready for it, but I know it's not going
to be a good day," he said.

Laffosse said when the time comes, he will bury Donna in his
backyard.

"She's done so many good things. She's had a good life," he
said.

Police Chief Dennis Surrett said although there will be a need to
replace Donna, there won't be funds available for it. A new dog would
probably cost $6,000.

"And it's going to be hard to justify buying another canine when we're
short two officers," he said.

But Laffosse is hoping the community will step up and make donations
for another dog like Donna.

"There is definitely a need for another narcotics dog," he
said.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to help purchase a narcotics
dog can contact Laffosse or Surrett at the Lincoln Police Department
at (205) 763-7777.