MOOSJAWTODAY.COM — The handler of retired police trauma/facilities dog Kane is thanking the community for its support after the 10-year-old yellow Labrador retriever died recently of cancer.
He worked for the agency from 2015 to 2021, while she worked there for 33 years, including 27 seasons as Victim Services co-ordinator.
“How do I let people know how … grateful I am for their outpouring of messages and love and condolences? I don’t know how to do that,” an emotional Blondeau told the Express.
“I mean, you can’t send a giant card to Moose Jaw and say here (accept my thanks),” she continued, her voice breaking. “I do want people to know (my appreciation) because (the positive comments) brought me comfort to know that so many people cared. That is important to me.
“It’s been incredible, actually. And it’s been helpful and it’s gonna take me through this (because) it’s still pretty raw … . (Residents’) kindness won’t be forgotten by me.”
Kane had been ill the past few years, and while Blondeau knew something was wrong, it took doctors to confirm that he had spleen ectic cancer that had metastasized throughout his body.
It’s unfortunate that the retired trauma/facilities dog died, but he did “an amazing job” and helped thousands of men, women and children everywhere, she added.
The community’s online response to the dog’s death was heartwarming since nearly 600 people liked the police’s post and 71 left comments, said Blondeau. She received 101 likes and comments on her page, while a private group to which she belongs had 178 likes and comments.
“So it was overwhelming, to say the least. So I think what that tells me is that he did what we set out to do; he affected a lot of people,” she continued. “And a lot of these people, I have no idea who they were, but obviously (they knew us) through our travels all over the place.”
During their careers, Blondeau and Kane participated in regular conferences in Saskatoon and Elk Ridge, visited often with 15 Wing Air Base personnel and first responders, met with cultural groups, and even provided comfort during the 2018 Humboldt Broncos’ memorial service.
Blondeau joked that everyone knew Kane while she just held his leash.
“Whatever ego I had before I got Kane, it took a backseat. Because let’s be honest here, babies and dogs take centre stage,” she said.
“And I was OK with that because I knew what he was capable of doing … (because) he had that (soothing) energy about him. To me, it was quite amazing. I’m still amazed by it.”
In Moose Jaw, Blondeau wrote a short book in early 2020 called “Kane’s Tale.” The book — freely distributed to 2,500 children in both school divisions — was designed to put kids at ease if they visited the police station and remind families that the canine was available if necessary.
The book was well-received, and while Blondeau and the police service planned to distribute it more widely, the pandemic struck. This prevented her and Kane from going to schools so kids could meet him if they hadn’t.
After retiring, the police service gave Blondeau the option of keeping Kane and finding him a new home.
“… after spending 24/7 with this dog, there was no way I was going to give him up after we had worked together for six-and-a-quarter years,” she added with a chuckle.
