Unforgettable Texas Hero: Bretagne The 9/11 Rescue Dog

September 11, 2001 will always be one of the darkest days in American history...but even during one of our darkest hours, we've seen several heroes help those in need, including those from Texas. In fact one of the biggest heroes during 9/11 wasn't even a human, it was one brave canine.

One of the biggest heroes from 9/11 was a rescue dog named Bretagne

Bretagne (pronounced Brittany) was a golden retriever who was part of the Texas Task Force 1 when she & her handler, Denise Corliss from Cypress, TX, were asked to take part in the rescue efforts after the 9/11 attacks when Bretagne was just 2 years old. For 10 days she would help  as emotional support during her time in New York & eventually...she would become a recovery dog, trying to help find those who lost their lives. She would also be vital in the rescue plans during Hurricane Katrina & Hurricane Rita.

Bretagne retired at the age of 9 to become a reading dog in her home state of Texas. At the time, she was the last living rescue dog from the 9/11 attacks & she would be given a wonderful birthday at the age of 15 as she would receive a hero's welcome back to NYC.

Sadly, Bretagne would be put down due to kidney failure on June 16, 2016 at the Fairfield Animal Hospital in Cypress. She would, however, get a beautiful tribute from the local firefighters as a way of saying "Thank you Bretagne for your service"...

Bretagne was not the only rescue dog who served during 9/11; around 300 rescue dogs were all called out to aid during this difficult time. Every single one of those dogs are remembered and immortalized at the Four Legged 9/11 Heroes exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

If you travel to Cypress, Texas, you will indeed find a memorial in Bretagne's honor. At the corner of Mason Rd & Cypresswood Dr, you will find a bronze statue dedicated to Bretagne, as a reminder that not every hero is human, but every hero deserves to be remembered...

R.I.P. to all of the victims who lost their lives on September 11, the heroes who fought to save the victims and Bretagne & all the rescue dogs who were all asked to help out. May they all never be forgotten...

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