SukritiA Guardian Angel
Treo was always working, even after retirement, he was helping at the army service. Not only that, he helped his handler who was now his owner, Dave recovering from the severe state of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). A disorder he was suffering from after returning from Afghanistan’s battlefield. Treo was super-empathetic and could always make out that something is wrong with Dave. Even after retirement, the pooch always took out the weed killer from the hardware stores. Dave felt like Treo is telling him, “Look what I’ve found, Dad”.
A Tribute
Dave and a co-author Damien Lewis published a book about the experience with Treo. The name of the book is It’s All About Treo: Life and War with the World’s Bravest Dog. “The world’s most highly decorated dog, Treo and his handler David Heyhoe did the most dangerous job on earth – sniffing out bombs in Afghanistan – and survived,” is said in the book’s summary. That’s when the world got to know about the brave dog’s life. Treo’s achievement was yet to be rewarded.
A True Hero
“He’s a proper dog who never gives kisses, but the times when I needed him, he’d sit beside me. He knew when I was suffering,” recalled Dave. Treo lived till 2015 and died at the age of 14. He served as a true hero for the nation and lived a long happy retired life with his best friend and his family. But Dave wanted to pay a tribute to his furry friend.
Reactions
With 4 and a half stars rating, the book was liked by the critics and around the globe. People could relate to Dave’s emotions from his words in the book. The greatness of their relationship was tremendous. Treo was gone and there was something more than the book to be done in his name to inspire the world.
Treo’s Story
“It’s very difficult at the moment to recruit dogs and we are constantly campaigning. We need to recruit military working dogs all the time so we can carry on the good work they are doing,” Dave said in an interview. Dave spends his time raising funds and spreading awareness about soldiers’ charities. He even tours around the country to tell Treo’s story and people are always keen to listen to him. His last and the greatest tribute to his best friend who was more like his own son made Treo immortal.
Statue
“He’s immortalized now and it really does look like him. Everyone will be able to look at him now and see that he did that job for his country,” Dave told in 2017 when Treo’s statue was uncovered. His statue is located in a park in Congleton, England and was made after spending $18,500 that Dave raised for the statue from Treo’s fans all over England.
Amy Goodman, an artist who portrait and sculpted the statue after reading the inspiring book told, “I’ve always loved animals and to be involved with something so personal has been quite emotional.” This statue was for the world, Dave got Treo on him forever unbelievably!