IN a simple but poignant ceremony, the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department yesterday buried the first of their special “buddies”, a K-9 cadaver English Springer Spaniel, which died on Christmas day. 

For the dog’s handler Steven Ambun, it was a heart-wrenching moment to have to part with his special friend. 

“We’ve been together for seven years. I have had him since he was two or three months-old,” teary-eyed Ambun told reporters after the dog, named Cliff, was buried within the compounds of the Serian fire station, some 60km from Kuching. 

Cliff was given a “special burial” – the first for a K-9 dog in the department’s history – as a sign of gratitude for the services he had rendered, state fire chief Khirudin Drahman told journalists after the brief ceremony. 

“This is a special thank-you to Cliff from the people who knew him and the contributions he made. We lost a member of our family,” Khirudin added. 

He said the common phrase used to describe the strong bond and companionship between humans and dogs – “man’s best friend” – was never truer with Cliff. 

What endeared Cliff to his handler and left an indelible mark in the hearts of the firefighters who had the opportunity to work with him is that he was considered an exceptional dog. 

“Always at the forefront of SAR operations,” Khirudin said, referring to search and rescue sorties. 

He said for a breed more suited to the temperate climate, Cliff had been remarkable in adapting to Sarawak’s hot and humid weather. 

Cliff was one of six puppies the department had bought in the United Kingdom in 2018 for over RM124,000 each when the department set up the K-9 unit. 

Two of them, including Cliff, were trained to be cadaver dogs, two for SAR operations in the “wilderness”, and two as forensic dogs. 

Khirudin said the K-9-unit dogs – English Springer Spaniels, Border Collies, and Labradors – at most could operate efficiently for about two hours straight before increases in body temperature could endanger their well-being.

“Why Cliff was loved so much is because he could work up to three hours. Working for more than three hours was just a breeze.” 

He said with the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department handling more SAR operations for people lost in the state’s thick jungle, Cliff’s ability to work long hours had won the respect of the firefighters he worked with. 

“But what made him much loved is his ability to find lost victims within the so-called critical time window. That saved the lives of many lost victims.” 

Steven could not recall his favourite memory of his canine friend. 

“A lot. Just don’t know where to start.” 

What came to Steven’s mind was that Cliff was a very affectionate and excitable dog. 

“He’s a very intelligent too.” – January 5, 2024.