Best dogs of 2023: Good (and bad) boys and girls that made headlines this year | Ents & Arts News

The dogs were so good in 2023.

Okay, some of them were bad. But it wasn’t their fault.

Here’s a round-up of the ones who made headlines.

Reqs

Sometimes, someone comes along who makes you feel like you’ve achieved nothing in life – and sometimes that person is a dog.

The country’s longest-serving fire investigation dog was awarded a lifetime service medal this year after a career spanning 11 years.

Labrador Reqs, 12, was the 42nd recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit, which recognises animals that have shown “outstanding devotion to their owner or wider society”.

Reqs began his career in 2012, attending more than 500 fires and helping with high-profile investigations before his recent retirement.

Thank you for your service, Reqs.

Finney

On 19 August, Rich Moore, 71, and his tiny Jack Russell Finney went on a hike in the Colorado mountains.

When they failed to return, a search for the pair began.

Sadly, more than two months later on 30 October, Mr Moore’s body was discovered by a local hunter.

But next to him was his loyal companion Finney, who had stayed by his side and was emaciated, but alive.

“If that dog could talk it would be an amazing story,” said Delinda VanneBrightyn, from the search and rescue team.

“We probably could not even believe the story the dog would tell.”

A recovery crew was flown in the day after Mr Moore’s body was found. Finney was taken to a vet for a check-up and treatment and was then reunited with her family

They believe Finney survived by drinking from streams and hunting small animals.

Pepper

Pepper saw a cat. Which is usually fine,…