IT ALWAYS HURTS TO LOSE A CLOSE FRIEND

The Maplesville Police force recently had to consider how it would feel to
deal with the passing of one of its officers. Although Eras, the town's
drug dog, is just that - a dog, he's become a valuable part of the
Maplesville police department family. He's also important to Kevin Davis,
the town's K-9 officer.

These dogs aren't the typical household pet. They are highly trained
animals which can be worth their weight in gold, or cocaine, depending upon
where they are.

For this small west Chilton town, Eras has almost paid for himself. That's
no small achievement for a rather expensive crime stopper.

Officers in departments which are fortunate enough to have drug or bomb
dogs do count the animals as family. Many times the dogs become companions
on those long nights of duty when officers might not see a car for hours.

They become family pets as well, forming strong bonds with the people which
tend to them. They also can serve as back-up, even protection for officers
on patrol.

That's why the thought of losing Eras was one which Police Chief Freddy
Mayfield of Maplesville said was difficult to deal with. 'He's one of our
family," the chief said. Rightfully so. These dogs play important roles.

David Hicks, a K-9 officer with the City of Clanton, knows how it feels to
lose his partner. Briggs, Clanton's dog and Hick's responsibility,
disappeared now more than two weeks ago. There is no explanation for what
happened to the dog. It seems it might have been easier to see the dog
killed than it was to simply find it missing one day, with no trace or no
clues as to its whereabouts.

Eras nearly died last month due to complications from a heat stroke. Yet,
he's rebounded nicely and seems to be well on his way to a full recovery.
That has the Maplesville Police force breathing easy. Unfortunately, Briggs
is still missing, with little hope of finding him. Note, those who deal
with these animals form a bond with them which isn't easy to understand for
the average person. Just know that these dogs are special to those who work
with them and those whom the noble animals protect and serve. Clanton isn't
missing a dog right now, it's missing an officer. An officer, by the way,
the city is determined to find.

As for Maplesville, they dodged a bullet when Eras recovered. Don't think
for a minute they do not know what they almost lost. Again, it wasn't an
animal, it was an officer.