TOP DOG: Talk about a combination of good looks and talent, this
guy has it all.

We’re talking about Robin, a 7-year-old golden retriever handled
by Salamanca, N.Y., Police Deputy Mary MacQueen who just won the
American Kennel Club’s Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence in
Law Enforcement.

The Salamanca Press carried a story on this dynamic duo in a
recent edition, noting that the presentation of the award will be
aired at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, on Animal Planet. The award came
during the annual AKC/Eukanuba national championship dog show in
Long Beach, Calif.

In 2008, Robin was runner-up in this competition; if you have a
very good memory, you’ll recall we told readers about him at that
time.

His handler told the Press that she initially had kept Robin as
a pup to raise for the show ring but his “very unique temperament”
made her realize that this dog was meant for police work. His mom
and grandmother were both rescue dogs so his ability is in his
blood.

While hitting the show ring from 2003 to 2006, Robin also was
being trained as a police K-9. He received narcotic detection
training, making him the only certified narcotics K-9 in
Cattaraugus County. He is now used to search for drugs in many
scenarios, from routine traffic stops to high schools and large
drug searches in the region.

Usually, golden retrievers aren’t used for police work — not for
lack of brains but because their long silky hair requires so much
grooming. But for Mary — no big deal. She and her husband own a
golden retriever kennel in Frewsburg and dog grooming is just part
of her every-day routine.

When we originally wrote about Mary and Robin, we believe there
was some connection to Bradford — but we can’t remember what it
was. Was Mary originally from Bradford? If you know, please give us
a call so we can complete this story.

ONE MORE: When writing recently about the Four Seasons coming to
Bradford in 1964, we cited several students and faculty members who
were supportive of the effort. Teacher Frank Sasso was one several
people mentioned. Dick Mattison, who we had quoted Tuesday, also
mentioned Mr. Getz as being a “tremendous” supporter of the
effort.