Officer Saves Shelter Dog In Honor of K-9 Partner He Lost
It came as a shock to all of us when we learned that K-9 Eiko had lost his battle with cancer before it seemingly ever began. We cried together around Eiko and his steadfast partner, Officer Shawn Humphreys, as he received the news that his beloved four-legged friend had a few days, perhaps a week or two at best, to live. He was only 8 years old - an impeccable police dog that had still been working the streets up to that fateful day - and had shown no signs of illness or pain.
One week later, we were gathered together again. But this time, it was to say a final goodbye to one of the best police dogs any of us have ever known. The community rallied around Shawn and a truly beautiful funeral was arranged for Eiko. Shawn was devastated, still in disbelief that his ever-dependable partner was gone, but he took some comfort in the support of his friends, family, department, and community.
An opportunity to save another
The week after Eiko's death, Shawn received word that a local rescue group, Releash Atlanta, wanted to rescue a dog in Eiko's honor. The dog, an injured shepherd mix that was facing euthanasia at a rural animal control facility, had been surrendered to animal control by his former owner and needed immediate medical attention.
Releash Atlanta founder Kristin Sarkar says that her group really didn't have room for another dog, but that, "We couldn't help but think his life needed to be saved given the loss of my newest dog friend Eiko that I had met the week before. We named him Eiko in memory of Shawn's amazing K-9."
Shawn and his family jumped at the opportunity to open their home as fosters for the dog, who they've nicknamed "EJ" (Eiko Junior). He has settled in wonderfully in their home and will be available for adoption through Releash Atlanta in just a few short weeks. Although the void Eiko left will never be truly filled, Shawn says that EJ's presence helps to ease the pain and bring joy back into their grieving household.
As you'll see in the photo above, Eiko Jr. has even taken over Eiko's duty of sharing Shawn's favorite chair with him, quite literally filling the void that Eiko left behind.
The loss of K-9 Eiko left our entire "Guardians of the Night" family in pieces, but seeing the positive impact he continues to have even after his death gives us all just a bit more peace.
