Hero on Four Legs
Houston search and rescue dog of 9/11 fame set to receive special salute at fall fundraiser
Of all the nationally-recognized celebrities taking the spotlight here in the coming social season, it is doubtful that any will stir the heart more than Bretagne, the last-surviving search and rescue dog who gained fame for her work at Ground Zero after the September 11, 2001, bombing of the World Trade Center.
For her long career in search and rescue, the 16-year-old charmer will be the "celebrated guest" on September 11, when Houston Pet Set holds its 11th annual fundraiser. Bretagne and her partner, Denise Corliss, will not make it to New York this year for 9-11 ceremonies. She already has a trip planned to the Big Apple in Ajugust and Corliss says that Bretagne is simply too old (in doggie years a centenarian) to do much traveling.
Pet Set chairs Tena Lundquist Faust, Tama Lundquist and Patti Murphy are over the moon at the prospect of paying special tribute to the pooch, who was only 2 years old when going to work at Ground Zero. Last year on September 12, she was spotlighted on NBC's Today show, her story and interview presented by Tom Brokaw.
Bretagne and Corliss the World Trade Center effort as part of Texas' federally-responding urban search and rescue team, Texas Task Force One. Now retired, the canine was also a FEMA Disaster Search Dog. Last year, she was named the Search and Rescue Hero Dog of the Year by the American Humane Association.
Not to be overlooked at the upcomingbenefit is the much-esteemed gala honoree Jan Duncan, both a generous philanthropist and animal lover.
Details on the dinner evening at The Astorian are available at info@HoustonPetSet.org.
