We’ve found her — the goodest good girl in the world.
Frida, a 10-year-old Labrador retriever, has dedicated her life to aiding in survivor rescue missions as a sniffer with the Mexican Navy’s canine unit. In her illustrious career which spanned nine years, she was deployed to help in natural disasters across the globe. But according to a press release from the Mexican government, Frida officially retired during a ceremony held in her honor by the Mexican Navy on Monday.
She stole the hearts of thousands and became a symbol of hope in Mexico after images of Frida in protective gear, searching through the rubble in the wake of the magnitude 7.1 Mexican earthquake in 2017, drew worldwide attention.
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In addition to her heroic work during the earthquake in 2017, she was also a part of 53 additional rescue operations, including assisting in the aftermath of earthquakes in Haiti and Ecuador. She is credited with finding over 40 bodies and locating a dozen living survivors over the course of her career. Not so bad for a pup in little booties.
Having become a symbol of Mexican strength, she also received her own bronze statue (along withf her trainer, Israel Arauz, by her side, of course) at an ecological park in Puebla City in 2018. The plaque reads: “Memorable symbols of the strength Mexicans can have when we decide to come together for great causes.”
But now it’s time for Frida to hang up her rescuer’s gear and give her paws some much-needed rest. Frida’s retirement ceremony was actually a part of the navy’s “International Rescuer’s Day,” and in place of a medal, she received a chew toy.
The Mexican government’s press release describes how Frida extolled the values that distinguish the Mexican Navy: “honor, duty, loyality, [and] patriotism.” Deputy Naval Minister Eduardo Redondo also had a special message for Friday, sending her off by saying “Frida, mission accomplished, with honor.”
Frida has received much praise over the past week, but she’s managed to snag the highest honor bestowed upon a pup — a 15/10 rating from WeRateDogs.
¡Gracias, Frida! ¡Disfruta tu jubilación!
