Tributes to Highland life-saving dog after ‘crossing the rainbow bridge’
TRIBUTES have been made to a life-saving Highland dog, who has died after facing a short illness.
Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team dog, Raasay, carried out “numerous searches” across Scotland. Raasay was a Search and Rescue Dog Association Scotland (SARDA Scotland) canine, which is a charity that relies on public donations to run the service.
SARDA Scotland dogs are trained to support mountain rescue teams and the police in their search for missing people, with the canine handlers also being volunteers.
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As well as Raasay’s death on October 4, fellow SARDA dog Kim from Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team also passed away a few days later.
In a Facebook post announcing the death of the two life-saving dogs, SARDA Scotland said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of two retired search dogs over the weekend.
“Search dog Raasay crossed the rainbow bridge on Friday, after a very short illness. He retired a number of years ago, after numerous searches across Scotland, deploying with his parent Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team, as well as to assist other teams.
“Search dog Kim crossed the rainbow bridge to join Raasay and their other pals, after a very short illness. Kim only retired last year at the grand old age of 14; again having been deployed far and wide for her parent Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team and other teams in Scotland.
“Our thoughts are with both handlers and their families.
“Run free Raasay and Kim.”
Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team said: “We were saddened to hear the sudden passing of our SARDA dog Raasay last Friday at the age of 13 after a short illness.
“Raasay joined Dundonnell MRT in 2012 and the following year he qualified as a novice dog going onto the teams callout list shortly after. Along with his handler, Raasay soon became a valuable member of the team attending many training days and call-outs during which time Raasay accounting for two finds for his parent team Dundonnell MRT. Raasay retired from operations a few years ago, so it was always a pleasure to see him when he attended training sometimes after that.
“Raasay will be best remembered by team members for not just having a great nose for finding people but also having a great noise for sniffing out team members pieces in abandoned rucksacks. Our thoughts are very much with Raasay’s family at this sad time, we send our love and deepest sympathies to them.
“Stand down Raasay, your work is done, rest easy pup.”
Scottish Mountain Rescue said: “We are saddened to hear that two SARDA retired search dogs have passed away over the weekend.
“Our love and thoughts are with their handlers.”
