Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell
Credit – Kaohsiung Fire Department

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network.

Dog That Flunked Out of Police Academy Becomes a Hero in Taiwan’s Earthquake Response

By Andy Corbley

To be a drug-sniffing dog, you have to be impassionate, which is exactly what this golden retriever was not.

Though Roger flunked out of the Kaohsiung City police academy in Taiwan, his career in public service was not over. He has now captured the hearts of his people with his rescue efforts during Taiwan’s recent earthquake.

Striking the northern part of the island with a magnitude of 7.4, it caused a landslide in a popular national park that destroyed several buildings and claimed a dozen victims.

Roger flunked out of the police academy for being too jubilant – credit Kaohsiung Fire Department

8-year-old Roger was quickly deployed to the area, where his exuberance and independent streak put him in good stead for locating the body of a 21-year-old victim who hadn’t been found.

Whether Chen Chih-san, captain of the rescue dog unit of the Kaohsiung Fire Department, has other dogs that assisted in the rescue efforts, only Roger captured the island nation’s hearts because of his earlier career setback and subsequent redemption arc.

“I’m not saying he was not good or that he didn’t get along with others. But the requirement for narcotic detection dogs is that they can’t be too restless and independent,” Chen said. “But (these attributes) are what we want in rescue dogs.”

These attributes were perfectly on show when he lunged for the reporter’s microphone as his handler was being interviewed by Taiwan’s official Central News Agency.

Having participated in 7 rescue organizations throughout his career, which included his being certified by the International Rescue Dog Organization in 2022, an accolade last achieved by a Taiwanese rescue dog in 2019, Roger’s retirement is fast approaching.

CNN reports that he will have a wonderful home suitable for an active, precocious dog like him. However, before he puts his paws up for his golden years, one family will have the closure of laying a loved one to rest because of his excellent nose and personality.

The good news in this story is that just because a body is not best equipped for one job doesn’t mean all jobs are out of reach. Today’s JohnKu talks about careers. I hope you have a great weekend.

Careers by John W. Howell ©2024

One job may not work,

But giving up on the rest . . .

May be a mistake.

78 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  4. Beautiful account, John. Thank you. I believe all of creation emanates from Love. The good, the bad, the weak, the strong. And each beloved life has value/purpose – whether born with two legs or four. 🐶

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I could never imagine a Labrador being serious enough for drug sniffing! Best that he failed in that one so he could be put to better use. Wonderful story, John and perfect JohnKu.

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  17. Great story, John — thanks for bringing it to our attention. How cool, that the very traits that got Roger kicked out of one field brought him to the forefront of another. We can all learn something from that!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. There were kids I taught who did poorly in school who I knew would be fine in the world. Apparently, the same is true for Roger.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. This is a wonderful tail!

    Your JohnKu is so true, in more ways than one.

    Yes, it is important to go on to find something you succeed at, if you’re failing with what you are doing. Don’t give up!

    It’s also important to consider giving up doing something you are not good at, just because you got the degree and the $ is good, even though you aren’t.

    I need a new doctor!

    😷X 🐂🐂🐂

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