Sometimes having a “pot belly” is a good thing

PHOENIX – In a joint statement Monday, K-9 Defense and Desert Drug Dog announced the arrival of a new litter of narcotics detection dogs. K-9 Pi, a working drug dog, had the first pup late April 19 but ended fittingly on 4-20, a day of celebration in the cannabis culture.

The six puppies, two males and four females, were smuggled into a specialized maternity suite managed by K-9 Trainer and Handler Dana Thelander, who reports all the pups as happy and healthy as they settle into their new world.

K-9 Pi is a 5-year old Belgian Malinois jointly owned by K-9 Defense, a Phoenix company that provides working canines to law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S., and Pi's breeder Martine Romeo. Before she went out on maternity leave, K-9 Pi spent her days sniffing for drugs at Desert Drug Dog, a private detection company. Her mate, Train, is a 1–year old Belgian Malinois in training to become a police dog.

“We’re going to have to wait a bit to weed out which of the pups qualify for the rigorous police dog training program,” said K-9 Defense Owner George Daniolos. The training for working dogs begins in the first few weeks of a puppy’s life and is stimulating and fun for the dogs.

Added Amy Halm, owner of Desert Drug Dog, “In the meantime, we will hash out some possible names—and no, we will not use Mary Jane.” Although they’re having some fun with the coincidence of a drug dog having puppies on 4/20, Halm points out the seriousness of the job. “We use these dogs to help deter the use of illegal drugs, potentially saving a lot of heartbreak and illness. But today, we are having a little fun with it,” she admitted.

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