We are now at the sixth installment of our Axel Adventures! He looks big but our ‘Police-Dog-in-training’ Axel has only just turned one. (For those that have been following our Axel adventures, we did get his age wrong! Axel’s true age was brought to our attention following a recent visit to the vet).
Read on for the latest events from Axel…
Happy Birthday to me!
Yep, I’m one!!!
I’m not sure about this birthday thing though. The first part of the day was great. Dave took me to a day-care where I got to show a heap of little kids how clever I am with my toy. There was lots of laughing and I know that the teachers especially thought I was adorable.
Axel & Dave delighting the kids at a local Cairns day-care.
What a birthday treat, a trip to the vet!
Then Dave took me to the vet, what’s going on there?! Happy Birthday to me, I got a couple of needles and a tick check! I hate to think how Dave’s kids celebrate their birthdays. It wasn’t much fun getting those needles but the vet told Dave that I was very healthy so paws crossed that it’s a while before I need to go back.
Striking a pose for local Cairns Post photographer Anna Rogers.
Check out this photo from my latest photo shoot for the local paper. I think I’m going to have to start taking bookings for public appearances.
Catch you soon
Axel
Handler’s note:
* An important part of the training for police dogs is socialisation. Police dogs traditionally have a reputation as being aggressive, however most are aggressive on command.
* A reminder though: Do not approach a police dog unless directed to by their handler. Police dogs are trained to listen to commands from their handler. It might not be a good outcome if you approach either one by surprise.
* Ignore Axel’s whinging. Trips to the vet are just part and parcel of ensuring that Police Dogs are up-to-date with their immunisations and are performing police work with a full bill of health.
*Paralysis ticks are very prominent in the Far North. Handlers do their best to protect their dogs against ticks by regular bathing especially after tracking offenders through bushland. This also includes the odd trip to the vet!
Sergeant Dave Raymond, Officer in Charge, Cairns Dog Squad
