Disaster Dogs

Among the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on America was a very special dog names Sirius. He was a working dog, and he and his Port Authority partner, David Lim, were assigned to detect explosives. When the World Trade Center Towers were struck, Lim took Sirius to his kennel in the basement of one of the towers, and said he'd come back for him. Sirius didn't survive the collapse of the building. It took several months, but his body was finally found in the rubble, and he was carried from the site with full honors.

Ron Burns was moved by the story of Sirius, and by the work of so many dogs who protect humans. He painted a portrait of Sirius that has become a popular poster. Now Ron has embarked on an ambitious project to paint hero dogs from around the country. His plan is to develop a poster series, and to compile the portraits in a book honoring the dogs who give their lives, sometimes literally, to help human beings. Proceeds from his project will benefit a variety of service dog programs.

You can order the book at www.ronburns.com.