It’s been an emotional time for Gisborne dog handler and star of the popular TV show Dog Squad, Senior Constable Comrie Keenan.
While he celebrated the graduation of his new police dog Tahi at the Dog Training Centre last Thursday, he is also mourning the loss of his former canine workmate Harlo, who died earlier this month at the age of nine.
Harlo had been with Comrie for 20 months after he came down from Northland, where he had successfully worked with another handler.
Comrie gives ‘big ups’ to Harlo’s other dog handlers up north who trained him well and instilled a great foundation of skills which made him such a great police dog.
While he doesn’t watch himself on TV, Comrie says it was bittersweet to know an episode of Dog Squad featuring Harlo and himself, that was filmed a year ago, aired just hours after Harlo died.
He says Harlo knew his trade well, worked hard until the end, and was fiercely protective of him.
“We clicked and worked well together. Harlo had my back, and you need that, you need to know you can trust your dog. He loved his work and was a teddy bear for me.”
Comrie says it is never easy losing a dog.
“I think the toughest thing about being a dog handler is when a dog dies, because they are your mate. They’re even there on your days off, so it’s a big loss.”
On Thursday, a new chapter began for Comrie with two-year-old Tahi - his eleventh operational dog.
“Tahi is a lovely dog and has settled in well to training and at home. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Comrie says just like children, it takes a village to train a police dog and that includes fellow dog handlers, the Dog Training Centre in Trentham and everyone who plays a role in getting the dog to graduation.
Comrie and Tahi's training journey will feature on the next season of Dog Squad Puppy School, likely to screen within 12 months.