BOISE, Idaho — The Ada County Sheriff's Office says a beloved K9 has died, just months after he retired from a long career as a drug detection dog.
"Nate" retired in November after he collapsed and veterinarians found a tumor on his heart.
He spent the last few months of his life relaxing at home with his handler, Deputy Aaron Teall, and his family.
A Labrador retriever-border collie mix, Nate was adopted from an animal shelter in McCall as a puppy. He was certified with Idaho's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy as a K9 dog when he was just nine months old.
He went on to spend 10 years as a drug detection dog with the Ada County Sheriff's Office, which described him as "one of the best K9s we've ever had here."
The sheriff's office said in a Facebook post that Nate was also a great ambassador, and was "relentlessly friendly" during his various appearances at community events and schools.
"We will miss Nate, who was a great K9 and just an all-around excellent pooch," ACSO said.
