Pubdate: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2006 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Jason Bell JAKE THE DOPE-SNIFFING DOG BOW-WOWS OUT OF THE JOB THIS pooch is done putting his nose to the grindstone. Jake the drug-sniffing dog has officially retired after six years on the job with the Canada Border Services Agency. The eight-year-old male black Labrador cross had been working with his handler at the Winnipeg International Airport since the summer of 2000. Jake's last day nosing around people's luggage was July 24. His replacement, Charlie, a dead ringer for his predecessor, is already on the job. But it's been a tough transition from workaholic mutt to household pet for Jake, who acted more like he was enjoying a day at the park than performing an invaluable service. In fact, other than a little touch of grey on his chin, there's little to suggest the big, lovable beast is ready to pack it in. But CBSA evaluators say he's slowing down. "It's been hard on him... it's been hard on me," said his handler, Connie, a customs agent who didn't want her last name used. She cares for both dogs at her home. "It's hard for me to leave him in the house. He gets so excited as soon I put my uniform on," she said. "This was like playtime to him. I just hope he'll be happy." The two have been virtually inseparable since Connie, a 22-year veteran of CBSA, took over as handler of the local detector dog program and started working with Jake as a puppy. Jake came from the Kelowna Humane Society and was matched with Connie at the CBSA's training school in Rigaud, Que. They formed one of the approximately 70 detector dog teams strategically located across Canada, serving both travellers and commercial operations. The dogs are trained to root out narcotics, firearms, currency and agriculture products that could contain harmful pests and diseases. Jake's specialty was sniffing out drugs -- he can identify the scent of 12 different contraband substances -- and he's been credited with some pretty significant busts during his career. A few years back, he aided in the seizure of nearly 23 kilograms of hashish, with a street value of nearly $600,000. And, more recently, his powerful sniffer helped agents uncover nearly 700 ecstasy pills worth $28,000. Jake was trained as a passive detector dog, meaning he simply sat down beside the source of the contraband odour and looked over to his handler. "Everyone on line is usually clapping when they see him working -- except for the guy he's sitting in front of," Connie said, with a laugh. Each time Jake found drugs, he was rewarded with his favourite toy, usually something plush and squeaky. "He knows that, 'When I smell this, I get some loving,'" she said. Without him, a lot of drugs wouldn't have been found, Connie said. "In the airport, about 98 per cent of his finds are in people's underwear," she said. "He finds them, even if there's no indication to us (someone is carrying an illegal substance). "He's also a big deterrent ... people know he's here." The dog has won numerous awards as well, including first place at the 2003 Canadian Police Canine trials in narcotics detection. The popular detector dog has also visited numerous schools in the city and has thrilled kids with a variety of demonstrations. This morning, there's a retirement sendoff for the special dog at 10 a.m. in the airport's Observation Lounge. No word on whether Jake's getting a gold bone. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman