09/11/2025
When we pause to remember September 11, our hearts ache for the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the bravery shown in the face of tragedy. What is often less spoken of are the animals who were also part of that day’s story — some who perished, and others who became quiet heroes.
Among the most notable was Sirius, a four-year-old yellow Labrador retriever and an explosive detection dog with the Port Authority police. He was resting in his kennel in the South Tower when it collapsed, burying him beneath the rubble. His body was later found and he was laid to rest with full honors, remembered not just as a working dog, but as a loyal companion who gave his life in service.
Countless other creatures — birds that filled the New York skies, the large rat population in the basements, stray cats who had made their homes nearby, and even the tiniest insects — were also casualties of that day. They were unnamed and uncounted, yet they, too, were lives that ended in the chaos.
Amidst the loss, there were stories of incredible courage. Two guide dogs, Salty and Roselle, refused to leave their blind owners’ sides, leading them down flight after flight of stairs until they reached safety. Roselle would later be honored as the American Hero Dog of the Year, though in truth both dogs had already proven their heroism simply by being steadfast friends when fear and smoke filled the air. More than 300 search and rescue dogs also worked tirelessly in the aftermath, noses to the ground and hearts wide open, offering hope, comfort, and love in the darkest of times.
Their stories remind us that bravery and love are not limited to humans. Sometimes it comes with wagging tails, soft paws, and an unwavering loyalty that guides us when we cannot see the way ourselves. As we honor the memories of September 11, may we also remember these silent souls — the victims and the heroes — and carry forward the compassion they embodied.