Hello, today we are going to learn about a true story of Frida the dog. A female yellow Labrador Retriever born April 12, 2009 in Mexico named Frida. That little dog was very special and had been trained by the Mexican Navy to do something extraordinary. Her trainer and handler was petty officer in the Mexican Navy, Israel Arauz. Frida was trained to work as a search and rescue dog for the Mexican Navy. Frida had been trained to find and smell survivors of disasters, barking if she found anyone who needed rescuing.
Missions of Frida the Dog:
Frida was utilized in search and rescue efforts following natural disasters. The first time, Frida was deployed after an earthquake in Haiti in 2010. Frida was ready for the search and rescue mission with her handler Israel Arauz (in the signature protective goggles, harness, and boots). That mission helped locate 12 survivors and as many deceased bodies. In 2013, a large gas leak explosion took place in Pemex Tower. Approximately 40 people lost their lives in that tragic crash. Frida was a member of that search and recovery mission she found 8 bodies (dead). After that another landslide with worse consequences took place in Imbabura, Ecuador (2017) causing a lot of deaths and missing people. Frida was deployed too, to search and rescue bodies in Ecuador where she found 20.
Other Missions:
Two weeks later, in September 2017 two huge earthquakes hit Mexico. These earthquakes came in with magnitudes of more than 8 Richter. Constructs crumbled, leaving many trapped beneath the rubble. But Frida was ready to help. Come the switchover time, she donned her gear for work and took off with handler Israel Arauz! Armed with her trademark goggles and boots, Frida fearlessly navigated through the debris field relying on her highly developed sense of smell to locate anyone who might still be alive. Frida was like a superhero. Her nose – she employed it was if the sniffing out buried souls were but a habitual action, gathering dust. She toiled round the clock and eventually tracked down, recovered alive all 52 souls beneath the rubble. We were all so proud of her bravery.
Frida was declared a national hero and she even appeared in the global press. Her bravery moved people everywhere who were proud of her commitment to proving that she could do it. She became an icon of hope and fortitude for all quake victims. Frida went on to be a hero long after the tremors ceased. She proved that even small dogs can achieve great things. What I see would probably make what strengthen people’s hearts to do things.
Career and Recognition:
What Frida accomplished was nothing less than phenomenal. Throughout her career she was on many rescue missions for disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and landslides. She was involved in 55 rescue operations and saved hundreds of lives. Her courage and unwavering eyes must have inspired millions around the globe, that she gave her life to save so many others.
Frida was not overlooked for her heroism. For her service Frida earned the highest award for animals in wartime, the Dickin Medal. A statue of Frida and her trainer Israel Arauz was erected in Puebla. Her story touched the hearts of millions and made her a national treasure in Mexico.
And yet, beneath the accolades and worldly recognition, Frida continued to be modest with her own goals until her retirement on 25 June 2019, after almost a decade of service as search and rescue dog. This legacy also assures us stay strong expecting no less in coming future. Frida stayed on in service after retiring, working to train other dogs until she died in 15 November 2022.
The story of Frida the dog reminds us of the small and mighty ways heroes abound, some with two legs others with four. She taught us that even in really scary, impossible situations there is always hope when you have a friend like Frida.
