Heroic dog remembered after serving 10 years

http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=427167

Lorraine Spaeth tried her best to prepare for Monday. The sunless, rainy weather seemed perfect for the task at hand. She wanted to say goodbye with compassion, but hoped to avoid the overflow of emotion that some consider wasted on animals.

This day would mark her last hours with her dog, Kelsey. And her first hours of adjusting to life without her. They weren't just companions. They were co-workers, partners for 10 years.

As longtime members of the Manteno Fire Department and the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Canine Search Team, it was Lorraine and Kelsey's duty to help bring closure to families with missing loved ones. The 13-year-old German shepherd made three "live finds" in her career, but her specialty was locating the lifeless bodies that stymied police investigations.

Monday, the process of closure began for Kelsey.

Spaeth, her veterinarian and a few friends said their last goodbyes, before this honored public servant was euthanized. Her body was taken for cremation at the Wolfe Whispering Winds pet crematory in Chebanse. Services there were donated out of respect for Kelsey's service.