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Hero canines warm hearts as Turkey's earthquake rescue operations drop off

Some 400 search and rescue dogs are still working to find survivors in Turkey, though such operations are winding down.
A rescue dog searches for victims and survivors, in the regime-controlled town of Jableh in the province of Latakia, northwest of the Syrian capital, on Feb. 12, 2023, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake.

Turks, grappling with grief and loss as the country’s death toll passed 35,000 following last week’s twin earthquakes, joined Mexicans in mourning the death of a search and rescue dog that died while trying to save people trapped under the rubble. 

Hundreds of Turks tweeted, “Thank you, Proteo, we will always remember and honor you.” Many reposted an artistic portrait of the German shepherd drawn by graphic designer Burak Turker bearing the words “Thank you, Proteo.” The O in his name features the Turkish flag, with its star and crescent against a red backdrop. The image also went viral in earthquake-prone Mexico, which relied on canine power during its major earthquake in 2017.

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