Rocco the Dog's requiem Friday at Soldiers and Sailors (Pittsburgh: credit, how much)

[I_Like_Spam]

Pittsburgh K-9 officer Rocco's funeral will now be open to public | www.wpxi.com



I like dogs as much as the next person, probably more so. I like dogs better than I like most people. But I think they are going a bit overboard here with Rocco. I can understand why his family is upset that he died. But he was a still just a dog, after all.

[Pitt Chick]

Agreed.
DH and I think this is sooooo over the top.

[greg42]

Well I don't agree with the "just a dog" remarks. It's never just a dog or just a cat or such to the family. Pets are part of the family. Please don't ever tell anyone grieving for a pet that it was just an animal.

That said, I do agree that for the greater public this is WAY over the top. But I tend to think it for people as well. It surprised me how much people want to go to a memorial service for some random kid who died from being hit by a car, so I guess why not a police dog too. Same kind of mentality really I suppose.

I'm all for whatever works for people in grief. For me that's not a big memorial event, but I don't have a problem with that being the way many people handle it. How many people are truly in grief over Rocco though?

[charisb]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Pittsburgh K-9 officer Rocco's funeral will now be open to public | www.wpxi.com



I like dogs as much as the next person, probably more so. I like dogs better than I like most people. But I think they are going a bit overboard here with Rocco. I can understand why his family is upset that he died. But he was a still just a dog, after all.

I disagree. He was not 'just a dog'. The K9s work as other police officers do, going into dangerous and difficult situations. These dogs risk their lives so their human counterparts are protected. I am pretty sure that dogs have as strong a desire to live as people do.
I think it is nice they are acknowledging his service. It seems petty to worry about whether or not it is 'over the top' or not.

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

On one hand, I think Rocco deserves to be memorialized. He gave his life and probably wasn't even aware he was putting his life on the line. On the other hand, I find it more than a little ironic that many people mourning for Rocco (including many of my friends on facebook) are the same who show little respect/regard for the human officers who put their lives on the line every day as well.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

I love animals and I respect what this dog did for the force.

With that being said, the cop worship that goes on in this city is overbearing and oftentimes ridiculous. It's pretty obvious that the 24/7 news coverage of this is gaining sympathy and positive images of our police force to overshadow the shameful press they have received in the past few years. People just eat it up without question too, it's disturbing.

[Copanut]

I am on the fence with all the coverage of the K-9. Lowering the flag seems to be over the top. On the other hand one of my best buddies was a K-9 cop, and that dog was amazing.

[jay5835]

So, who's going?

[bradjl2009]

I think it is bordering on the side of the coverage being too much as well. I don't have a problem with having the memorial, but making it public and having all of this coverage is a little too much for me. Society in general views animal and human life rather differently.

[Goodjules]

The (human) police officer credited the dog with saving his life. Maybe a little over the top, but the dog was an officer slain in the line of duty. I heard that they are raising money for stab-proof vests for K9 officers.