Vale Kaiser. Your Shift Is Over

[j]

So young. A beautiful mark of respect from his working colleagues. There are some lovely photos of Kaiser on the link.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/mass-officers-salute-police-dog-final-trip-article-1.1360666

SEE IT: Massachusetts officers salute police dog on his final trip to the vet

Kaiser, a German shepherd with the Plymouth Police Department in Massachusetts, was put down Friday after suffering from kidney failure.

Comments (35)

Officers gave Kaiser a final salute he made his way to the vet for the last time.

Emotional members of the Plymouth Police Department came together on Friday to bid farewell to a special four-legged partner.

Kaiser, a 2-year-old German shepherd, was put down following a short but sudden decline in health, and officers gathered at the Court Street Animal Hospital to salute the K-9 and say their goodbyes.

On Wednesday, Officer Jamie Lebretton, Kaiser's handler announced on the Plymouth Police Working Dog Foundation Facebook page that the dog had been diagnosed with severe kidney disease.

Kaiser, a member of the K-9 program, was laid to rest on Friday in Massachusetts.

RELATED: POLICE DOG THROWN FROM SECOND-FLOOR WINDOW

"Out of love and respect for Kaiser, and with the input from our excellent vet, trainer, and family, I have made the heart wrenching decision to end Kaiser's suffering," Lebretton wrote.

He said that, although Kaiser's time as a police dog was cut short, "he made a huge impact that will never be forgotten.

People from all over the country posted their condolences on the Plymouth Police Working Dog Foundation's Facebook page.

"I feel privileged to have had a front row seat to witness his bravery and heroic actions while serving the people of Plymouth and my brothers and sisters in blue," Lebretton posted.

People from all over the country gave Lebretton their condolences.

PLYMOUTH POLICE PHOTO GALLERY

Kaiser was donated to the Plymouth Police Department when he was a puppy.

"A big salute from Florida for Kaiser. As a GSD (German shepard dog) owner myself I am saddened greatly and so proud of his service and bravery. That was an amazing touching photo of all of the officers saluting him," one supporter wrote on the Facebook page.

The pup was buried at Angel View Pet Cemetery in Middleborough.

"RIP my boy. I could not have asked for a better partner or friend," Lebretton wrote on Friday afternoon in a moving tribute. "You made me a better person, a better handler, and a better cop. Till we meet again, Kai. I love you and will miss you daily."

Kaiser was donated to the force by a local family in 2011. He was five months old at the time.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/mass-officers-salute-police-dog-final-trip-article-1.1360666#ixzz2VBy8Azk5

[mita]

That's such a beautiful but sad photo as Kaiser is saluted by lines of police officers as he takes his final walk up the path at the vets.

[RiverStar-Aura]

I can't believe the comments attached to the article. They're questioning the kidney failure diagnosis based on the fact that Kaiser was so young -- apparently kidney failure is an 'old dog' disease.

RIP gorgeous boy and I hope you find things other than bad guys to chase over the bridge