Northeast OPP mourn loss of beloved police dog

Ontario Provincial Police are mourning the loss of a longtime police dog, Timber, who passed away last month.

Timber, police badge No. 1843K9, was born in 2009 and completed the police training course in December 2010, working with his lifelong handler, Const. Barry Kelly.

“Timber was a general service dog until his retirement” in September 2017, police said on social media.

“Timber lived out his retirement years with PC Kelly, his loving family and canine cousins Otis and Dance. Timber passed away peacefully with PC Kelly at his side on 23-Oct-2023.”

Police then quoted the poem Rainbow Bridge, which tells of a happy resting place for pets:

“There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

“All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.”

• Download our app to get local alerts on your device
• Get the latest local updates right to your inbox

Eventually, when their human arrives, they are reunited.

“The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

“Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together ...”