Mexico has received a new search and rescue dog gifted from Turkey after a Mexican rescue dog lost its life while searching for survivors of a massive earthquake near the Syrian border in February. The three-month-old German Shepherd named ‘Arkadas’, which means friend in Turkish, will be joining Mexico’s famous canine unit that specializes in locating survivors in a country prone to earthquakes and natural disasters.
The black and beige pup with perky ears and oversized paws will be trained by the same trainer who cared for Proteo, the rescue dog that died on a mission in Turkey. The Mexican army paid homage to Proteo at a military funeral earlier this year.
Mexico deployed rescue dogs to Turkey after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook a huge area near the southern border with Syria, resulting in at least 54,000 deaths across both nations. Arkadas was welcomed to the force in a formal ceremony at a military base in Mexico City on Wednesday, joined by his new canine and human colleagues, standing to attention. The excitable pup barked as Mexico’s national anthem blared out from speakers.
Arkadas will become a part of the canine unit in a country that is often hit by natural disasters. Earthquakes and tropical storms are frequent occurrences in the region, and Mexico has a well-established canine unit that is known for its work in rescue operations.
The canine unit has been credited with saving many lives in the aftermath of earthquakes in the country. The unit has a long and storied history, and its members have become national heroes for their bravery and dedication to their work.
The gift of a new rescue dog from Turkey is a sign of the strong relationship between the two countries. The deployment of Mexican rescue dogs to Turkey after the earthquake demonstrates the solidarity between the two nations in times of crisis.
Mexico’s canine unit is an essential part of the country’s emergency response efforts, and Arkadas will be a valuable addition to the team. With his training, the pup will be prepared to help save lives and provide hope to people in need during times of disaster.
