The past four years incessantly linger in my mind. While none would appreciate my feeling of losing a loved one, I mask the feeling and continue with my work.

Some might envy the job of a Police dog - Police dogs are superior to, and more capable than, their domestic counterparts, but who really appreciates the hardship they have gone through? On top of their strenuous training and boring life are patrol duties and spending two-thirds of a day waiting to be called out at short notice.

From the first day after Shing Shing "graduated", every decision I took was for his sake. Shing Shing and I joined EU because of a bigger demand and a bigger workload. I was convinced that his inborn abilities would be put to good use. In the three years after we joined EU NTS, Shing Shing accomplished numerous feats and made newspaper headlines. These had earned him commendations by RC and DC.

For the benefit of Shing Shing's development, I applied for a transfer to EU NTN, where, I thought, policing work would be more challenging and would require team work with Police dogs. In addition, the vast countryside and mountainous area in NTN Region were suitable for Shing Shing's physical training outside office hours - much to the benefit of his healthy growth.

Shortly after his transfer, Shing Shing and his canine partner Teddy sniffed out a group of illegal immigrants during an anti-crime operation. Besides RC's commendation, they had attracted special coverage by the media and OffBeat. Unfortunately, Shing Shing died of illness early this year - at the most glorious moment of his life.

I am full of sorrow at Shing Shing's passing away because he was my only canine partner. I hope readers would salute all Police Dog Handlers and their partners.

(Translation of contribution by PC Lau Chun-yip)

Shing Shing was more than a closer partner for PC Lau