Work and family

ATF K9 Spring built bonds with firefighter, Gilbert family

Spring and David Zehring work the Carlisle fire in Albuquerque, NM, in November 2016.

(Courtesy David Zehring)

Julie and David Zehring with Spring at the ATF graduation on Dec. 7, 2012.

(Courtesy David Zehring)

David Zehring and Spring had a relationship that took time and work, but it lasted for years.

“The bond a handler builds with his K9 partner is hard to explain unless you are a handler,” Zehring said of his late coworker, family member and friend.

“Spring’s body was shutting down,” he said. “For a Lab, 15 years is a long time. Age finally got to her.”

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