More than a dog: Retired police canine dies at age 9

There was never any doubt about it: Solo was Lodi Police Officer Ken Slater's dog.

Everywhere that Slater went, the 85-pound German Shepherd followed — even going so far as to poke his large head in the shower with Slater, though he stopped short of climbing inside.

But Solo, who retired from police work in 2003, was diagnosed with cancer Sunday.

And later that same day, Slater had to hold his dog and, with tears in his eyes, tell the veterinarian to put Solo to sleep.

"He was more than a dog. He was a family member," Slater said Tuesday.

In his few years that Solo worked with Slater, he apprehended more than a dozen suspects, Slater said. Specific incidents don't stand out in Slater's mind, partly because he's still in shock and can't quite grasp the fact that his constant companion is gone.

"Whenever I was home, Solo never left my side. Every time I'd stand up, he did too. Every room I walked to, he was right next to me," Slater, now a detective, wrote in a personal memorial, titling it "Solo Slater."

At the mention of Solo, the first thing Slater's colleagues said was that the 85-pound dog (who grew to 115 pounds after retiring) was definitely loyal.

"The only people that dog loved were Ken and his wife. He was a pure police dog," said Sgt. Chris Jacobson, who oversees the department's K9 unit.

"Slater's dog never won any awards at a dog trial but I used to tell his wife, 'Of any of the dogs, if you want to feel secure about your husband having back-up, it's that dog,'" he added.

Detective Brian Freeman, who previously patrolled with a dog, was always scared of Solo because he'd bitten every dog training officer at one point or another.

But, Freeman said, he saw the dog regularly after retirement and the two got used to one another. Slater even snapped a photo of Solo putting his paws on Freeman's lap — and Freeman grinning.

Current Lodi police dogs and their trainers

• Spike, a Dutch Shephard, patrols with Officer Adam Lockie.
• Dodger, a German Shephard, patrols with Officer Eric Shaw.
• Bogey, a Belgian Malanois, patrols with Officer Carlos Fuentes.
• Cinta, a Dutch Shephard, patrols with Officer Kevin Kent.
— Source: Lodi Police Department.

Other photos show Solo frolicking on the beach, posing in front of a patrol car and, in one of Slater's favorites, sitting in the bathtub and gazing at the camera after getting a good cleaning.

The dog was 3 in 1999 when Slater bought him for $4,000 from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, which was switching dogs and had only had Solo for three months. Solo was born in the Czech Republic and then shipped to a South Carolina kennel.

Slater, who'd had animals but never worked with a police dog, began training with Solo and the two certified as a canine team in February 2000.

Under department practice at the time, Slater had paid for Solo, so the city bought the dog from Slater for $1. In exchange, Lodi paid for the dog's food and veterinarian bills. Now, dogs are usually purchased through an equipment fund, though some money also comes from donations.

Slater and Solo began patrolling together, but ultimately the department decided to retire the dog, who took the job so seriously that he wanted to bite anyone who got too close to Slater.

So Solo retired, and Slater gave the city back its $1.

Solo didn't like retiring, and Slater hated seeing the look on the dog's face when he'd head off to work without him.

"I don't think he ever really got used to seeing me leave for work without him. I never really got used to patrol without him," Slater said.

But Solo kept working in his own way, proving to be the ultimate security guard and companion. Slater's son is grown and in the military, so Solo became like a second son.

On Sunday, Slater found himself looking at his dog inside an oxygen tent at an emergency veterinarian's office in Stockton. The cancerous tumor in the dog's abdomen was bleeding, and a UC Davis Medical Center doctor said by telephone that the ride to Sacramento would likely kill him, if the surgery did not.

Slater reached into the oxygen tent and held his dog's head, feeling Solo lean on him with trust. They held that position while the doctor administered a lethal drug, and they kept eye contact until Solo's eyes closed.

A day later, Slater found his house too quiet.

"Every time I stand, I expect to see him stand. Every room I walk into, I expect him to follow," he wrote in his memorial. "The pain I feel deep inside me hurts more than anything I've ever felt before. I feel as though I've lost half of me."

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

First published: Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Reader Feedback

Queenie's human-sister wrote on Aug 17, 2006 6:19 AM:

" It will be 11 yrs on 9/4 since our family had to send my sweet, beloved Queenie over the Rainbow bridge. She grew up with us kids and was always there during our teenage years, always approving of us even we nobody else did. Unconditional & devoted love from a dog will leave a mark on your heart forever. Solo will be waiting for you on the other side when its your time. I know Queenie will for us! "

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Lodi Realtor wrote on Aug 16, 2006 6:36 PM:

" Our pets love us so unconditionally and it is so hard to let them go and lose all that unconditional love. My heart goes out to you Officer Slater and your family. "

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Jakes the Schnauzers mom wrote on Aug 16, 2006 3:32 PM:

" My best friend closed his eyes last night his head was in my hand doctors said he was in pain it was hard to stand The thoughts that scrambled in my head as he was in my arms were of his younger doggie days & of his endless charms Today there was no gentle nudge or I Love You gaze only a heart thats filled with tears remembering our joy filled days But an angel appeared and said "you should cry no more" GOD also loves our canine friends He's installed a doggie door. "

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Ajax wrote on Aug 16, 2006 11:10 AM:

" Ken: Please accept my families sympathy for you loss. Your depth of grieving just demonstrates how good of a friend your dog, Solo was to you. I know the pain you speak of and that you can physically feel the pain of the loss. But remembering the joy that Solo gave you that can help you get through your loss. Take care. "

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