NED’S WISH is thrilled to welcome a true canine icon, Police Service Dog Diesel, to our ranks! After a distinguished seven-and-a-half-year career with the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Diesel is finally hanging up his sniffing hat and ready for some well-deserved belly rubs. He also holds the special distinction of being the first canine to join NED’S WISH from the Metro Vancouver Transit Police!
Born with an insatiable drive and a nose for… well, everything, Diesel, a sleek black Labrador Retriever, quickly rose through the ranks of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police. He wasn’t just any police dog; he was a four-legged, tail-wagging, highly trained explosives, firearms, and ammunition detection machine. His resume includes thousands of sweeps across an area larger than some small countries (over 10,000 km²!), including buses, SeaBus, West Coast Express, and all 54 SkyTrain stations. Basically, if it had wheels or floated and was in Vancouver, Diesel had probably sniffed it.
But Diesel wasn’t just about the serious stuff. He was also a connoisseur of celebrity scents. He’s probably the only dog in Canada who can boast about providing close protection sweeps for international dignitaries and even, yes, Taylor Swift. We’re pretty sure he spent most of that detail trying to figure out if she smelled like catnip or just pure stardom.
Known affectionately as “The Spinner,” Diesel had a pre-work ritual that involved him rotating like a furry tornado whenever he was excited to get to work. Imagine a highly disciplined police dog doing an impromptu pirouette before tackling a bomb threat – it was a sight to behold and probably terrified more than a few pigeons. This unique trait, combined with his friendly demeanor and unwavering discipline, made him a truly unforgettable partner to his handler, Cst. Leanne Smith.
Diesel was also a canine competitor extraordinaire, consistently placing among the top dogs in detection competitions. We’re pretty sure he had a secret stash of gold medals hidden somewhere in his kennel.
What truly set Diesel apart, however, was his incredibly rare and specialized skill: he was one of only a handful of police service dogs in Canada trained to detect body-worn explosives. This meant he could actually follow the scent trail of an individual with explosives on their person and pick them out from a crowd, even in a bustling pedestrian environment. Basically, if you were trying to sneak something past Diesel, you were going to have a very bad day.
Sadly, our beloved Diesel has recently been diagnosed with advanced dilated cardiomyopathy. But even with this news, his spirit remains as vibrant as ever. He’s faced countless dangers with courage and a wagging tail, and we know he’ll face this new challenge with the same determination.
Welcome to NED’S WISH, Diesel! Get ready for unlimited treats, endless naps, and all the ear scratches your heart desires. You’ve earned it, you magnificent Spinner!