Hero Dogs of 9/11
Yesterday we paid tribute to working dogs. Today, as we approach the ninth anniversary of 9/11, we remember the 300 incredible disaster search dogs who contributed so much to the efforts to find the 2,976 victims, and later, their remains. Kenn Bell, creator of the Dog Files, put together this very moving video photomontage to honor the dogs, human rescuers, and victims of that unimaginable tragedy. Have a hanky handy.
Kenn’s story is below.
By Kenn Bell
I remember back in 2001 on a hot, but incredibly beautiful day in September. I left my apartment on Houston Street in Manhattan to begin my daily walk uptown to work.
When I hit the street, I immediately felt a buzz in the air.
Men in suits were talking to Soho Hipsters. Groups of people listened to car radios. Needless to say, something was off.
As I was walked past the Angelica Movie Theater, I looked up in the direction everyone else was looking.
The World Trade Center was in flames! And then, as quick as I looked up, the South Tower was gone, replaced by a million pieces of shattered glass sparkling in the clear blue sky.
At that moment, I knew my life, and the lives of every American had changed forever.
Every year, when 9/11 rolled around, I promised myself that I’d do something special to commemorate this tragic American moment. And then it was September 12th and life went back to everyday concerns.
This year was different.
I hope when you watch “Hero Dogs Of 9/11″ it affects you as much as it affected me while I was creating it.
That you take a few minutes to pray for the 2976 victims of this tragic day.
That you remember how proud we all felt in the weeks after 9/11 as we watched over 10,000 men and women converge on Ground Zero in the largest mobilization of emergency workers in the history of the United States.
And how 300 of them proved, without a doubt, that they were indeed man’s best friend.
Never Forget.
The DogFiles would like to thank Celeste Matesevac and everybody at the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Check out their website and please donate!
A big heads up you will need the Kleenex box for this one.
What a perfect film in dedication of everyone and the 300 rescue dogs. RIP Sirius you are loved by all.
I can’t find the words to describe how much I love this film.
Thank you so much for making it.
We will Never Forget.
I’m definitely passing this film on. Lots of people need to know and appreciate a wide, new range of things this September 11th.
Thanks…
Thank You is such a small word for those who gave their all, but that’s all we have, and its from the deepest part of our hearts here.
I’m from Oklahoma and remember the Murrah Building. There also the Dogs where used. We own so much to OUR Dogs.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL….
Beautiful!
With all the deployments our family & friends go through, it’s nice to know there are people still out there who Remember 9/11 & the lives that were lost that day
Hi guys, I’m the creator of the Dog Files and I just wanted to thank you for all the kind words! It means a great deal for me.
Also, thanks to Maria Goodavage for spreading the word! You rock!
If you guys wanna keep up to date on the Dog Files, join us at http://www.facebook.com/dogfiles
Thanks!
@Kenn– Thank YOU for putting this together. You and your site rock!
It brought tears to my eyes too… Great job!! Dogs do so many great things for us and want so little in return.
Dogs are such awesome, beautiful creatures!!!
This is truly beautiful. Thank you for keeping their heroism alive!
Beautiful and moving film. We can never repay the debt we owe these brave people and dogs for the services they perform.
Dogs truly are mankind’s best achievement.
Amazing; its no wonder that dog spelled backwards is “God”. Thanks for this wonderful tribute.
such a heart warming tribute and to know 300 of the rescuers were dogs.
Thanks guys!
Beautiful and wonderful pup’s !
There is a monument to these dogs in Beautiful Joe Park, in my town. The plaque is dedicated to Sirius. http://twitpic.com/1hs90a
A beautiful video! Thanks Marie for finding this gem.
Like so many others, a day I will never forget! I remember a local news channel who on the fourth or fifth day after 9/11 did a small bit on the dogs. The ASPCA and local veterinarians who also donated their time, as well as many others from other states came to help the dogs. Many had cuts on their paws and legs from climbing over so much debris and needed attending to. Donations from all over came in for extra bandages and hundreds of boots for their paws.
It was also said, that volunteers had to play being rescued alive, as several of the dogs actually became depressed from not finding any real survivors and this was a way of rewarding them and letting them feel that they did a good job. You can’t get anymore human-like then that!
They are magnificent animals! Truly deserving the honor for all that they did on that day and many many days afterwards.
Kleenex please…
Thank you for putting this incredibly moving tribute together to remind everyone of the selfless actions of our canine friends, who were put in the middle of the chaos, with no protective gear to protect their breathing or paws, and who had only one goal in mind: To find survivors/remains. <3