Amid the rubble and devastation caused by the earthquake in Taiwan, an inspirational story emerges starring a Labrador Retriever named Roger. This canine, intended to be a drug-sniffing dog, was fired due to his excessive friendliness.
However, Roger found his true calling. Initially trained to detect narcotics at the Taiwan Detector Dog Breeding and Training Center, Roger was soon deemed “too friendly” for rigorous detection work. But this quality, which took him away from his first career, made him the unofficial hero of the Kaohsiung Fire Bureau.
Since his first rescue mission after a magnitude 6 earthquake in 2018, Roger has participated in seven search and rescue operations. His highlight came during the recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale, where he found the remains of the 13th victim, a young girl buried under the rubble of Taroko National Park.
Roger’s bravery and perseverance have been recognized by the fire department. With the latest rescue, Labrador Roger is now preparing for a well-deserved retirement after leaving an indelible mark as Taiwan’s hero.
Although his days as a search and rescue officer may be coming to an end, his legacy will live on long after he has hung up his vest. Roger’s story reminds us that even the most unexpected heroes can emerge in the darkest of times.
