The Story of Gracie, Zara and Officer Escobar

Zara, a Belgian Malinois, was surrendered to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in the Fall of 2013.  We soon realized that Zara was not your ordinary family dog – she had intense drive.  Her extremely high energy and intensity would make her very difficult to successfully place into a home.  We had an idea; we contacted the  Alexandria Police Department to see if they would evaluate her as a police dog candidate.  They agreed and she passed with flying colors!  Zara was partnered with K9 Officer Steve Escobar.  His K9 partner of five years, Gracie, had just been diagnosed with kidney cancer and given only two to three months to live.

Gracie defied all odds and survived for more than a year.  Gracie loved to work and spend time with Officer Escobar and continued to work up until her recent death on Christmas Eve..

Officer Escobar is extremely saddened by the loss of Gracie and has asked for donations to be made in her memory to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria  and Alexandria Police Foundations Health and Welfare Program for Retired Police Dogs.

Zara, former AWLA shelter dog, will continue in Gracie’s large paw prints, helping to protect the City of Alexandria with Officer Escobar.

Thank you to the Alexandria Police Foundation for these photos and for their work to care for Alexandria’s K9 heros.