Above: During his career (main photo), K-9 team member Atlas spent his days protecting Boeing teammates and property. Now retired (inset), not so much. (Main photo by Marian Lockhart. Inset photo by Rick Walters)
Atlas, a recently retired working dog, and his handler, Rick Walters, spent seven years protecting Boeing sites in the Puget Sound region. Their bond remains strong even after Atlas’ service concluded earlier this year.
Walters, who continues to work on the Security and Fire Operations Explosive Detection K-9 team, adopted Atlas, a Rottweiler, border collie and Australian shepherd mix.
What it takes: Boeing’s working dogs have daily responsibilities at sites in the Puget Sound region to keep teammates, visitors and property safe. The K-9’s duties range from searching airplanes, delivery trucks and shipping and receiving areas to checking unattended packages.
A retired dog’s life: Retiring a K-9 is not as straightforward as it may seem. Walters emphasized the bond between a handler and K-9 is strong, built upon trust and respect through countless hours of training and service. It is more than a professional partnership but a genuine connection.
Reflecting on Atlas’ first day of retirement, Walters said: “Leaving the house without Atlas, who still had the desire to work, was one of the most difficult things.”
However, Walters added, Atlas now fully embraces his retirement days — playing fetch, going for walks and lounging on the sofa with the newest Walters family member, Dozer, one of the latest K-9 additions to the Explosive Detection team.
Hard work pays off: Boeing’s K-9s retire from active duty around their eighth birthday, often staying with their handler. Although still young, “the dogs retire early to enjoy life to the fullest,” Walters said.
By Wen Huber and Melinda Price