87 Responses to:
HUNDREDS HONOR FALLEN 'HERO'

# 1. 1/20/10 12:12 AM
Hard not to die laughing. Sure animals want to please there master but that is based on instinct. A horse or Dog knows who pets it who feeds it and pampers it.

People get attached to dogs but not near the attachment to human friends and family. Didn't Jesus say several places are you not much better than the animals?

I remember reading a self help book of how someone learned all his business techniques to be succesful from the barnyard. Advertised that book at a scout speech I went too.

One story was feed your stock first used that as business animal which may be good thing. But story was he was senior in High School Student Body President and scored many points in a bball game and applauded by many friends.

Next day practice ran over. walked or ran 6 miles home. Was starving went in to eat. Dad came in have you fed your animals yet. No in a minute. Than Dad said no man feeds himself before stock. May make business sense. But who has more of right to full belly Animals which will be there a few months or years at most? Or Son who will always be son.

And why are people that die early more heroic than those that die of old age? That don't make sense.

I heard of dog funerals getting much attendance. But me they are for human family and friends. dogs find place to bury.

Editor's Note: feed the stock first. it's your responsibility. the commander always eats after the troops are full -- that's how decent people operate.

# 2. 1/20/10 12:31 AM by Pete
Bob,

This just goes to show how abstract societal thinking has become and how reality has gone the way of the Ford Edsel.

You did not say whether this Mayor was a Republican or Democrat?

I would not be surprised if Some Animal Activist Group approached the Mayor to do this, or the Mayor did this to try and sway some "group" for future votes?

# 3. 1/20/10 12:31 AM by Woof, Off Topic
Brown WINS Mass., now can we get back to T&A?

# 4. 1/20/10 12:33 AM by John - Rochester[War Zone]
Yobama s influence in the state of Mass.?Maybe we do have some hope! Denmark to pay 12,000 ea.Euros to get immigrants to leave Ireland has 600,000 Euros[total] to get immigrants to leave As to the mayor, our schools are not producing people with minimal social skills, our $s dumped into a bottomless pit

# 5. 1/20/10 12:35 AM by Zzyzx - Sandy UT
Bob:

Thank you. Well said and I completely agree. Sorry I missed the hour on air you discussed this spectacle.

# 6. 1/20/10 12:38 AM by Kari Daugherty - West Jordan, Utah
HI Bob, I appreciate your perspective but as the wife of a former k-9 officer until November of 2009, when his amazing dog died of cancer I have a different perspective. My husband's dog dirk passed away from cancer and he did not receive a funeral despite apprehending a great # of suspects and finding a lot of drugs out there, as well as winning many awards. His training was extensive and quite a bit of hard work done by my husband who often did it on his own time. It took a lot more than training him to catch a frisbee. Dirk loved to work and on the day he died he stumbled to the back gate where he would wait for my husband to take him to work and sat there slumped over where my husband picked him up and carried him to the kennel where he died. My husband worked closely with him for 7 years where Dirk and my husband protected the community from many bad guys. Dirk and my husband loved their work together. OK now to my point Dirk did not get a funeral because he was our dog and died in a different way.I think the point of Koda's funeral was the way he died. All officers put their lives in the line daily and I saw this as a tribute to not just Koda but all K-9's who protect these officers so loyally. I was sad he died but it was more a tribute for saving the life of the handler who may have taken the bullet. Yes it was sad but I would rather my husband's dog died than him.I think all officers who attended would agree and appreciate and honor the work these dogs do in protecting the community and them. I hope you understand my point and get to read this Bob and have a lot of respect for you and listen often. By the way my husband attended the funeral and was not pain a dime of overtime and missed tubing at Soldier Hollow with his family. Yes these dogs are just dogs their rights in this world are different but I don't think you can fault these officers for thanking Koda and all K-9 officers for protecting us all.

# 7. 1/20/10 1:12 AM by jeanne Yamonaco
Police officers often refer their police dogs as their partners. The dogs are trained to be an extension of law enforcement. Similarly, war dogs often will stay with their soldiers to the death and perform services that protect and defend humans. These are not ordinary dogs- they are trained to do a duty. This is not to diminish the service of human cops or soldiers-- they should be honored as heroes.

We love our pets and they are important but this is not about your dog or mine. This is about a service animal.

# 8. 1/20/10 1:32 AM by Brandon - Logan, UT
One half of me wondered if I was the only one to think this way. The other half of me didn't dare say what you said. But you're right. Thanks for keeping it real.

And here's a shout-out thanks to all the real police officers who choose day in and day out to carry out their duty despite risks....unlike the dog, who is just trained that way, probably via an ample supply of doggy biscuits and belly rubs.

# 9. 1/20/10 1:54 AM by SGM - Utah
If I say anything people will think of me as an animal hater, a bigot, a racist, a chauvinist, anything that is not politically correct. Perhaps that's why we're afraid to call a terrorist a terrorist. And look where that's got us.

I appreciate your point of view and your willingness to express it. (I you said some of the things I was thinking when I saw the news coverage). Oops, I've said too much.

Go Brown! He has proven that, perhaps, I can start thinking a little bit different about the dim witted people of MA. There is still hope for the USA.

# 10. 1/20/10 5:10 AM by Emmett - New York City
I agree that a fallen canine does not equate to a fallen member of the armed forces. That said, this dog could have been a family's pet or under other circumstances have enjoyed a long and happy life. The dog was killed while selflessly protecting his part of this great country -- would you therefore not agree that while the ceremonies in this case were excessive, he was deserving of some recognition?

Editor's Note: an animal cannot be selfless. selflessness requires a concept of self and a moral choice, two things animals lack.

# 11. 1/20/10 6:08 AM by ex-pansy
I could be off by a couple of days, but isn't this this day when we commemorate the legal decision to kill babies and throw them away in the trash?

Which makes this dog funeral even more appalling.

# 12. 1/20/10 6:14 AM by rjd
I does seem over the top. We love our animals and all but this sounds like it got a wee bit out of control, but hey its tax payer money. It reminds me of the joke about aliens watching our planet from far away and seeing humans being pulled behind dogs picking up their crap determine that the dogs are the masters.

# 13. 1/20/10 6:40 AM by Scooby Doo
Rat's ridicalus!

# 14. 1/20/10 6:42 AM by Poplar Beach
I shed tears when my last dog had to be put down, she was a friend and she retrieved many birds for me, perhaps I should have had a service for her, and one for all those ducks and pheasants too. Walt Disney started this crap with Bambi, the first real pro animals, anti hunting movie.

Scott Brown WON "The Peoples Seat"! Do you get it now Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, the majority of the people do not agree with your agenda. Get a clue, or get the KY.

# 15. 1/20/10 6:45 AM by Dave
Funerals are so the livng can honour the dead, 300 people wanted to be there to honour the dog.

Dont be upset big guy.

"But a police dog is not a police officer. And the fact you put a badge on a dog’s harness does not do anything to fundamentally change that dog’s status. And to pretend that the killing of this poor dog is some great emotional loss to the community or to the law-enforcement fraternity is bogus.

I don’t minimize the loss of this service animal, but neither do I romanticize it and blow it out of proportion.

Contrary to what she said, an animal, in fact, cannot be a hero. Heroism requires moral courage and animals are not moral beings. They can be angry, and they can be brave, but they essentially act based on their training and instinct."

You could say exactly the same about people, a dogs just a dog and a mans just a man

Editor's Note: exactly. and a dog is not a man.

# 16. 1/20/10 6:59 AM
Your ability to feel things that many others do was stunted by your upbringing. There may be an organic reason as well but you seem to lack empathy.

# 17. 1/20/10 7:14 AM by Rick G. - Spencerport NY
In 1921, Stubby, a bull terrier, received the Purple Heart from General John J. Pershing. Sergeant Stubby served in the trenches along with bipedal soldiers, and had, at one time, captured a German spy by biting him in his ass. His main job was to smell mustard gas before the soldiers and warned them of its presence. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, and received a medal from the National Humane Education Society.

OK, I’m not sure how they buried Stubby, and I’m certain that in the black & white of things, you’re right Nobody is saying that dogs are equal to humans, but sometimes our humanity needs a little jump start from things like this. It just makes us feel better.

Besides, not everybody who puts a Yankee jacket on their dog is crazy, you now. Not that I’d know anything about that.

# 18. 1/20/10 7:28 AM by joe - roc
I might have framed it different; this dog represents a human policeman who was *not* shot.

Editor's Note: was the human officer going to bite somebody?

# 19. 1/20/10 7:31 AM by Mike R - Livonia, NY
Heeeeeeyyyyyy Bob,

I guess I could agree with your thoughts here. But I did like the fact that the 22-year old scumbag's funeral didn't make the news.

I hope that his mother didn't show up.

Keep writing.

# 20. 1/20/10 7:35 AM by Rational Rod - CANADA
You say "obedience to a trained command is not an act of heroism" and "too free use of the word "hero" profanes and diminishes it". I agree. So I'm sure that you'll agree that not everyone who dons a uniform and carries out commands to kill innocent people is a hero. You need a hero so desperately that sooner or later a dog will have to do. And if you are concerned about the use of the flag, when you wrap everything in it, eventually someone's going to use it at a dog burial. #9 - You're probably not old enough to remember that Massachusetts was the only state that didn't ratify the re-election of that other American "hero", the crook Nixon. They backed the best president you never had, George McGovern. Guess he was too smart for the rest of you.

Editor's Note: congrats on your great showing last night in massachusetts. keep talking about mcgovern. it shows your relevance.

# 21. 1/20/10 7:37 AM by alexander - upstate ny usa
FUK9

# 22. 1/20/10 7:37 AM by Pete
First, I identified no fallen hero in the story. I identified a murdered 22 year old man and a dead dog.

Second, an epic waste of money by the people of Utah.

Third, Cristina Flores reports "Kodak" a police dog was shot and killed when two police agencies responded to a burglary call, after the suspect was shot in the head. "No police officers were hurt".

It appears the over zealous police agencies had released a super aggressive and deadly trained animal upon a human. Upon doing so, the human shot and killed the dog. This is where it gets sketchy, a reporter stated the man was dead when he shot the dog. The police said they killed the man after he killed the dog.

Not only has this story identified that police generate stories to fit thier actions, but the people of Midvale Utah are morons of galactic proportions.

FYI: According to the Midvale Police Department, UT there has been two police officers killed. City Marshal Francis Allen Colclough Died August 7, 1912 and Police Officer William Nelson December 25, 1912. No mention of rover the wonderdog. Huh, go figure....

Sounds like Murder to me. Source: http://connect2utah.com/content/news/story?cid=69172

http://odmp.org/search.php?searching=1&agencyid=2490&cause=19

# 23. 1/20/10 7:41 AM by Lassie - upstate ny doghouse
next time Timmy falls in the well, don't come running to me.

# 24. 1/20/10 7:54 AM
Scott Brown won Massachusetts! The health care bill is dead, the Democrats are running scared, and a shot has been fired across the bow of the Democrat party letting them know that when the next elections roll around, an angry electorate will NOT vote to continue escalating our national debt and socializing our country.

It's a good day. I say we hold that fancy funeral for the Democrats.

# 25. 1/20/10 7:56 AM by K.Murray - Charlotte, NC
Bob -

You are right, to a point. Should a police dog get a human funeral. No, that's way to much Oprah. Should they have something for a dog that died in the line of duty, yes. I admit I don't know exactly what but something on a more canine level, so to speak. Maybe note his (or her) name in the history books along with the breed and some way to handle taking care of the dog better than just health code minimums. The dog deserved that and it would be the right thing to do.

Editor's Note: how about a nice plaque on a wall somewhere at headquarters?

# 26. 1/20/10 7:58 AM by rochester escapee
I recall a story that took place several years ago, in California. A single mom was out jogging and was attacked and killed by a mountain lion. The lion was subsequently shot and killed by police. The woman had two little kids, the lion two cubs. A fundraiser was held for both sets of offspring. The humans garnered several thousand dollars; the cubs got over a million.

# 27. 1/20/10 8:13 AM
The problem here is the mixing of species. Since it was a dog, why not have a dog funeral? Only dogs can attend. One dog can dress up as a priest. A female dog can wear a black veil. The dogs can howl over the grave site, and afterwards, the survivors can all go out for a nice drink out of a toilet bowl.

# 28. 1/20/10 8:14 AM by MIKE
I'm not an animal lover, except for the fish I put my hooks through...but, i can understand other peoples love for animals, especially work dogs like the police dogs and seeing eye dogs. BUT, come on, paying tax payer dollars to provide this kind of funeral? Sure, that one commenter's husband didn't get any OT for going to it, but do you really think that the money for gas to drive those trucks to wherever was spent from the personal accounts of the officers? nope, taxpayers for sure.

Ok, hypothetical....what if some punk breaks into a cop car, smashes everything including the laptop that has helped catch so many criminals....will the laptop get the same funeral? probably not.

I'm not saying don't honor the dog, but come on, buy a nice bone and bury rover in the back yard with it. Costs about $5.

# 29. 1/20/10 8:19 AM by Dave - Jennerstown, PA
I was looking forward to your column this morning after the HUGE WIN by Brown and was sadly disappointed to find a story about a dog. Didn't even bother to read it... Let's get back to business.

Editor's Note: in this business, you anticipate the news. the brown column was yesterday, freak.

# 30. 1/20/10 8:27 AM by Snake P
Hey Bob-

You are correct, we are taking this animal thing way too far. When here in our grand and glorious empire state you can not legally put down your own pet. You must take it to a stranger, subject it's last moments to strange smells and noises (not the familiar surroundings of it's home) and subject it to a sometimes very painful injection of poison.

What about if you want to raise a few chickens or rabbits for consumption???? Are you to round them up and take them to some "professional" when it's butchering time???

Keep laying down people when you should fight back and soon you will be complete slaves/serfs of the state.

Or just enjoy your servitude and lick the hands of YOUR masters.

Snake

# 31. 1/20/10 8:41 AM by Rational Rod - CANADA
"Relevance"? This from a man who spent two days on Teddy and a bunch of dead LDS "leaders". While I was out shoveling, I remembered why you have such a paucity of "heros" - you have an unfortunate tendency to assassinate them. JFK, Bobby, Martin Luther King - the list goes on. And that was all in just one decade. Peace. (Life)

Editor's Note: king probably was a hero. if jfk was a hero it was for his service the night pt 109 was sunk. rfk was not a hero.

# 32. 1/20/10 9:09 AM by Carole - greenwood/florida
When I started reading this column I thought that it was to be a story of the brave Dixie county sheriff in Florda that was shot down by a guy who murdered others in Orlando. This officer was a "HERO" and though it is sad to lose your dog it is still only a dog, not a human being. A big deal has been said about this dog and very little has been said of this brave policeman that was just stopping a speeder, From what I have heard He did not realize who he was stopping. There has been very little in the area news about this incident and that is wrong . We need to revere our police officers not their dogs.

# 33. 1/20/10 9:15 AM by JOHN - MTMORRRISNY
I agree. Inappropriate response. Inordinate hype. Over embellished "ad hominem" idolatry of man's best friend, but not human or humane. False witnesses of adulterated laws obscuring fraud and assassination of the character of true heroes, human heroes.

Imagine: PETA activists kicking the dog-cr-p out of a homeless Vietnam Veteran, a recipient of the silver star, and then "their" government burying him as an unknown John Doe in potter's field.(unceremoniously)

"IT HAPPENS" - from a dog soldier with dog tags, a devil dog who chose NOT to bite back at the public opinion which spit on him figuratively and literally. And yes, They did spit on his poor grave. The entire State of New York.

Thanx John- a survivor of

"Old Yellar Syndrome"

Good article Bob.

# 34. 1/20/10 9:17 AM by Karen Mary - Rochester
Did you make this up? It sounds like one of your lightheartedly silly columns.

# 35. 1/20/10 9:24 AM by Floyd R. Turbo
Guess he was too smart for the rest of you.

Yes, you all are just WAY over our heads!

That's why we just can't "get it"!

Didn't McGovern later try to open an inn and then admit he had no idea how hard it was running a business?

Sometimes the real world is a shock to the eggheads!

Seriously, mix some vodka in your Activia!

Victory, the peace.

# 36. 1/20/10 9:31 AM by Floyd R. Turbo
Victory, the peace.

Oops!

Victory, then peace.

# 37. 1/20/10 9:45 AM
What's the difference?, spending $30,000 of peoples time and expenses, or having the Government spend or give $10 million to a worthless senseless cause or project? That's the problem with the Mayor and everybody who put this Ceremony for a Dog that was murdered!!, into reality....too much love. The Mayor should have his head examined!

Editor's Note: a dog cannot be murdered

# 38. 1/20/10 9:54 AM
It's all just black or white to you isn't it? That's so sad.

# 39. 1/20/10 9:58 AM
It’s not about the dog. It’s about honoring the profession, and the (human) professionals who have fallen in the line of duty. Are you and your flock that stupid?

And if that can be dismissed as a sentimental Oprah moment, don’t be blathering on when you do about fallen soldiers or fallen cops. Same thing, in spirit, though not literally. Yes, a dog is only a dog. But it is important to honor those good and heroic things that people do in the service of others, even if the particular occasion is the death of only a dog. Hope that’s not too complex for you and your followers.

Editor's Note: how stupid are you? did you ever have to take a test or anything, or did your cousin get you the job?

# 40. 1/20/10 10:02 AM
I vote the self-proclaimed "Rational Rod" adopt the more apt title of "Retard Rod".

No one cares what you think about American history, you ignorant, liberal, Canuck.

# 41. 1/20/10 10:11 AM by alexander - upstate ny usa
Would it have made you happier if they had the ceremony, then dumped Fido in the dumpster at the end of the parade?

# 42. 1/20/10 10:25 AM by GEORGE ( THE OTHER ONE) - GANANOQUE ONTARIO CANADA
*

"McGovern" !!?!!?

That's just too funny. Who knew Rod had such a dry sense of humour?!

( Rod! Pssst. Over here. It's the two thousands now Rod. Put down the tie/dye 'T' shirt and stow the bong. Come down big fella. "get real" as they said back in your '60s)

Piece

# 43. 1/20/10 10:29 AM by drawlr - slc, ut
What did you expect from an animal- and Earth-worshipping neo-pagan society? Of course we should respect animals and the Earth and treat them well, but they are here to serve the needs of mankind, not the other way around.

# 44. 1/20/10 10:39 AM by Jimmy
Sleep with one eye open from now on, master.

# 45. 1/20/10 10:46 AM
During basic training at Ft. Dix we were trained to obey commands from our trainers.

In combat we are required to follow those orders given by our superiors. Rare is it ever allowed to disobey.

You know yourself Bob that there is not a wide gulf between that trained soldier and this trained dog. Soldiers are taught not to think, to only act on orders.

I understand your concern and think it's mostly valid, but soldiers in combat are expected to live up to their training, the same basic training a dog gets.

Editor's Note: it's unfortunate your understanding of and regard for the american soldier is so low.

# 46. 1/20/10 10:54 AM
Juicy inside scuttlebutt on the Massachusetts election:

The Kennedys hated that Coakley won the primary. They wanted her to lose so she wouldn't become Senator for life in Mass. The Kennedys hoped to groom someone else for the 2012 election.

A close insider friend of the Kennedys is the mayor of Boston. He deliberately did not push the vote in Boston and estimates say it lost Coakley 5 to 7 points in the election.

In the know Boston news reporters were talking about this on late, late TV last night. Havn't heard it anywhere else.

# 47. 1/20/10 10:58 AM
Editor's Note: an animal cannot be selfless. selflessness requires a concept of self and a moral choice, two things animals lack.

And to animal lovers that means that dogs don't know what it means to be selfish---that's why we love them so much.

Cats do know how to be selfish. Damned cats.

# 48. 1/20/10 11:29 AM
Actually, my cousin did help me get my job. Maybe I am the stupid one. Sorry.

# 49. 1/20/10 11:40 AM by Liam's Dad - Rochester
MEGA - SUPER - UBER - FUBO

I wonder, if for the first time in her adult life, that Michelle Obama, isn't so "proud of her country", anymore...??

I also wonder, if that tingling feeling running up Chris Matthews leg, didn't just turn into cold $&!t, running down it...??

Brian

# 50. 1/20/10 11:44 AM by Rational Rod - CANADA
#40 - A mindless derogatory insult does not an argument make. If you're not interested in informed opinion, what are you doing here? Floyd says "Oops." Too much vodka, perhaps?

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