Shade's moment in the sun

COEUR d'ALENE — Shade may be retired from working in Iraq, but the black Labrador's explosive detection capabilities are just being unleashed here.

Spirit Lake Police's newest employee put his nose where it belonged in front of Canfield Middle School students on Friday when he sniffed out a partial explosive device under a patrol car during a demonstration by his handler and Spirit Lake Chief Keith Hutcheson.

After his mission was accomplished, friendly Shade soaked in his moment in the sun while being petted amid student smiles and laughs.

"He's very active and playful," said sixth-grader Evan Lowder, adding he expected

Shade to be edgy and all business like many police dogs.

Being around the kids and loving every minute of it is a far cry from where Shade was in December.

The 4-year-old had spent more than two years in Iraq, searching 200 to 300 cars per day, six days a week, for explosives.

Hutcheson said temperatures in Iraq reached as high as 140 degrees and 160 while working on the asphalt.

"It's a harsh environment for humans to be in, but especially with Shade and his black coat," Hutcheson said.

As Hutcheson was preparing to return home from his contract position in Iraq, Shade was nearing retirement over there. So Hutcheson jumped at the opportunity to become Shade's new handler and owner here after handling Shade's brother, Spike, in Iraq.

Hutcheson said Shade, who became certified through the state's police academy last week, is the first explosive-detection dog to be available for work for county or city police departments in Kootenai County. Other such K-9s in the region work for Spokane County and the U.S. Marshals Office in Spokane.

"This is a chance for Spirit Lake to give back to the community and other agencies," said Hutcheson, referring to Shade being available for other local law enforcement agencies to deploy.

Hutcheson said Shade's work schedule won't be as stressful as it was in Iraq. Shade was given to Hutcheson for free, and the dog will live and work with him. Shade's food is being donated by a dog food company in Ohio.

Hutcheson said his patrol car was retrofitted so Shade can stay cool, and Hutcheson trained Shade to be certified, but the overall cost has been minimal compared to the benefit.

A K-9 fund will be started in Spirit Lake similar to other agencies that have such programs, making the financial impact, if any, low on the city's general fund budget.

Coeur d'Alene Police school resource officer Jon Spranget invited Hutcheson and Shade to meet the students.

"I thought it would be a great opportunity for the kids to be around Shade and learn about how he works," Spranget said. "It's great exposure for Shade and a chance to strengthen relations with the community."

Melissa Monaghan, a Canfield counselor, said Shade's visit complemented the school's Exploratory program.

"Some students' exposure to police is only negative, so this was an opportunity for them to see what is being done for the community," she said.

Sixth-grader Keegan Ludwig was impressed about Shade's nose-to-the-ground abilities when the dog detected the device under the police car during the demonstration.

"He seemed very cautious and circled around the car," Ludwig said. "Then, when he found it, he was like, 'Yo. There's a bomb right here. Can you take care of it now?'"