Search-and-rescue dogs are truly incredible, and do their part to save many lives during times of crisis.
One of the most famous of these dogs was Frida, the google-wearing search dog remembered for looking for survivors after a disastrous Mexican earthquake in 2017.
Sadly, it was recently announced that Frida has passed away, but she will always be remembered as a true hero.
On Wednesday, the Mexican Navy announced that Frida had recently passed away, at the age of 13.
“Dear Frida, although your departure hurts us, today the Naval Family promises to honor your memory, acting under the legacy that you taught us: ‘nobility, loyalty and love,'” their Twitter post reads, accompanying a tribute video to the heroic dog.
“Thank you for serving Mexico, you will always live in our hearts.”
Frida, a yellow Labrador retriever, was employed by the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), trained from birth in 2009 to be a search-and-rescue dog. According to Reuters, she finished training in eight months, a record.
Over the course of her incredible career, Frida saved many lives in the wake of disasters. She was specially trained to bark whenever she found someone in need of help, leading to many survivors found in the rubble.
Frida was on the scene in the wake of many disasters, including a 2010 earthquake in Haiti and a 2013 gas leak explosion in Mexico City.
But it was her work following a devastating earthquake in Mexico that made her a true legend.
In the wake of the earthquake — which killed hundreds of people — images and videos of Frida searching for survivors, clad in custom goggles and work boots, went viral around the world.
Frida provided a symbol of hope and resilience to the Mexican people after this massive disaster and became something of a national hero. In 2018, she received a statue in her honor.
A plaque calls her a symbol “of the strength Mexicans can have when we decide to come together for great causes,” per Mexico News Daily.
While she did not find any survivors in that earthquake, the Navy says she saved the lives of 12 rescued people over the course of her career, and located 43 bodies.
After an incredible decade-long career, Frida retired in 2019.
Following her death, Frida is still remembered as a hero. Admiral José Rafael Ojeda Durán, Secretary of the Navy, said in a press release that she has “given hope to thousands of Mexican families in the most pressing moments.”
Rest in peace to the incredible Frida, who saved a dozen lives and will always be remembered as a hero.
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