This is What’s Trending Today:
Bretagne worked in rescue efforts in New York City after the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Bretagne died on Monday. She was 16 years old.
Bretagne was a golden retriever.
She helped to search for survivors and recover human remains from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. Over 2,500 people were killed when terrorists flew airplanes into the twin towers.
The World Trade Center was Bretagne’s first deployment. She was only two years old at the time.
Denise Corliss was the dog’s handler. She cared for Bretagne. They worked together in the area known as Ground Zero for 10 days.
The dog also worked at other disasters, including three major hurricanes.
Bretagne retired from active duty at age nine.
According to Texas A&M University, the dog continued working in Texas as an ambassador with the local fire department. She also visited people who were sick, and children in learn-to-read programs. The university oversees a search-and-rescue program.
A member of the team that worked with Bretagne says she took her job seriously, but was always ready to help others, get a belly rub, or have a treat.
On Monday, on her way to see a doctor, Bretagne walked past a group of firefighters and rescue workers who gave her one final salute.
One news report called her “a four-legged hero.”
And that’s What’s Trending Today.
I’m Dan Friedell.
Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
How do you feel about Bretagne, the last remaining 9/11 rescue dog? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
salute – v. to give a sign of respect by moving one’s right hand to the front of your head : to give a salute to (someone or something)
twin towers – n. the tall, side-by-side buildings in downtown New York City that collapsed during a terrorist attack in 2001
belly – n. a person's stomach or the part of the body that contains the stomach
hurricane – n. an extremely large, powerful, and destructive storm with very strong winds that occurs especially in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean
