A search and rescue dog who gained fame in Mexico after a major earthquake in 2017 has died. The yellow Labrador Retriever became a national symbol of hope.
Honey-colored lab Frida died this week of natural causes at the age of 13.
A video tribute released on Twitter thanks Frida for her courage and loyalty.
Querida Frida, aunque tu partida nos duele, hoy la Familia Naval promete honrar tu memoria, actuando bajo el legado que nos enseñaste: "nobleza, lealtad y amor."
— SEMAR México (@SEMAR_mx) November 15, 2022
Gracias por servir a México, siempre vivirás en nuestros corazones.#HastaSiempreFrida💔🐾🐶https://t.co/pIt0qbTniX pic.twitter.com/0rGGtTgHsi
She became a national icon after the Sept. 19, 2017, earthquake that killed more than 350 people in and around Mexico City. Images of Frida wearing custom-made goggles and booties went viral. Earlier this year, the Navy unveiled a sculpture honoring her.
Frida started training as a search and rescue dog as a puppy in 2009, and located more than 55 people during her decade-long career, including 14 who were still alive, according to a press release about her passing. Her service included international rescue missions after a 2010 earthquake in Haiti and a 2017 landslide in Ecuador.
She was retired from rescue work in 2019 at age 10.
