K-9 Gor-don
K-9 Gor-don came from a long line of police service dogs. His pedigree was packed full of legendary police and border patrol dogs from throughout Czech Republic. Like his ancestors before him, he fit easily into police work, earning his first working title (ZVV1) at 16 months of age. When I first laid eyes on Gor-don, I was amazed at his level of physical conditioning and intelligence . It was quite obvious that at 18 months of age, his owner in Czech Republic had him on a rigorous schedule of exercise and training. He had the thighs of a racehorse and the shoulders of a lion. He was the epitome of a highly tuned canine athlete. His mind was sharp and clear, and learning was quite easy. Gor-don had the potential of being a great police dog.
The first day we brought Gor-don to Georgia, Rick Garner and I put him through the ringer. From day one he had to show that he had the courage and heart to be a police dog. I remember having Rick hide at the old aircraft hanger in a bitesuit. I was not sure if Gor-don had ever seen a bitesuit, but if he was as good as they said he was, Rick was going to pay! He quickly located Rick in a closet, and it became very apparent that he had never bit the suit before because he had grabbed Rick in the chest instead of the arms, that were much more convenient and desirable for training. I also had Rick lay Gor-don a track. He easily followed the track through the various terrain changes. I thought to myself, “If he can do this at day one, imagine what he will be like in a few months.” I was so impressed with what I saw that I offered to give up the dog I was working at the time in order to keep Gor-don for myself. For anyone who knows K-9 Beny, you knew I was willing to give up a lot.
It wasn’t until about a year later that I finally had a chance to handle Gor-don. By this time, things weren’t going to be so easy. But with the help of Rick, Rob Kenyon and John Surowiec, we began the adventure of restoring Gor-don to a prizefighter. From holding him down in a headlock to clean his infected ears, to bribing him with food to reduce his long nails, the guys helped in every possible way to get him up to speed. Weeks would be spent trimming down his waist and restoring muscle tone to those once powerful thighs and shoulders. I remember taking Gor-don back to see Dr. Wallis several weeks after I got him to show him our progress. All Dr. Wallis could say was, “Wow!” I will always be grateful for Rick, Rob and John for their help. Their honor and integrity make them role models for fellow K-9 handlers.
A rigorous training schedule was started and Gor-don was soon being certified in police work. Dave Russell from Lawrenceville and I took him to Tennessee for a week of hard training and certification. Gor-don impressed even the most seasoned handlers and trainers with how quickly he picked up on things. Gor-don learned the odors of heroin and methamphetamine in two hours. Two days later, he certified in five drug categories.
As a police dog on the street, Gor-don was always ready to work. He never gave up and it was very clear that he was in his element. I had been very fortunate at this point to have worked with great partners like K-9 Cisco and Beny. Gor-don would join their ranks once he got street smart as a police dog. Unfortunately, he would never get the chance to show what he was really made of. He had an injury that would cause him to collapse on his rear legs. Despite efforts to build muscle tone and strength, he was unable to overcome that obstacle. I had to make a decision on Gor-don’s future. With the words of Sgt. Spanky Davis reminding me that “a canine handler’s first duty is to his dog”, Gordon was retired for medical reasons. I never regretted removing him from service, I only regret not being able to let him fulfill his potential to become a great police dog.
I tried to give Gor-don the best in retired life, and continued to look for ways to get rid of that injury. From acupuncture to Chinese herbs, nothing seemed to work. Gor-don needed much attention and with three other dogs at my house I worried that his mental and physical health would suffer.
It was in the wake of a loss of a family pet that Gor-don’s fortunes would change. Shortly after losing their old German Shepherd, Bullet, Chief Randy Johnson and his wife Wanda agreed to dog-sit Gor-don while Maura and I went to Canada for a week. Somehow the magic happened and upon picking up him after our vacation, Wanda told us how much she enjoyed spending time with Gor-don. That night Maura and I talked for hours about Gor-don and a new place for him to live. At first I was selfish, not wanting to let him go. But again, Spanky’s words came to mind. My first duty was to that K-9, not to myself. So in early summer of 2001, Gor-don got a new home with Randy and Wanda. It was a home where he would be treated like a king and be an integral part of their family. Gone would be the days of having to share a house with three other dogs, compete for attention with three other dogs and fight three other dogs for his beloved ‘Kong’. Gor-don was in the paradise he deserved.
Gor-don passed away on December 11, 2004. In the time that we knew him, he made us very proud.
Over one hundred years ago, a retired German Calvary officer named Captain Max von Stephanitz had a dream to create the ultimate working dog. On his deathbed, his last words about his wonderful dogs were to a dear friend, “Take this trouble for me. Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog for I have struggled my whole life for that aim.” Someone must have listened… and down the road we had the pleasure of knowing, working and loving K-9 Gor-don.
“May you always run fast, bite hard and fear nothing.”
Readty to go to work! 
Gor-don's orginal K-9 Card
Just before going to his new home.
Dog tired!
Enjoying a nice summer day.