WATCH: A hero’s send-off for Jett

Hundreds joined in on the memorial for search-and-rescue K9 Lamnik Utah Jett who lost his life in service to rescue another dog.

The service took place at Ark Walk Park in Chartwell on Wednesday, December 7. The memorial was also live-streamed on Facebook with almost 400 watching live.

Community members, local business owners and people from the animal rescue community all chipped in to give Jett a hero’s send off in a touching and heartfelt service. In attendance were Jett’s fellow working K9s.

While on the rescue mission, Jett had fallen into a drain and gone missing himself.

After four days of searching, Jett’s body was found at the Zeekoegat sewage treatment facility around 21:00 on November 30.

Jett, part of the Healthy Hound missing pet search and rescue unit, was tracking a missing Jack Russell terrier, Freddie.

Freddie was found on November 28.

Jett had tracked the Jack Russel to the reeds in the Hartbeesspruit nature area, Kilner Park when he fell into an open drain. His handler tried to save Jett, sustaining minor injuries in the process. She was unable to reach him in time before he was swept away.

Jett’s last call by ER24’s Bianca Castleman Peens

The memorial included heartfelt songs dedicated to Jett, a poetry reading and sharing of amusing stories from Jett’s life. Jett also received a last call, something usually done in honour of police and first responders.

Most touching of all was a message from Jett’s owner, Diane Logie. She acknowledged the far reach of Jett’s story and the lives he was able to touch in his short time.

“You were about to hit 18 months old, and December was going to be your first month working more regularly. The training wheels were coming off. I was back to training lots with you and having fun again. I was pushing to get you MAR K9 Certified by Missing Animal Response Network.

“You had something no other dog had to their name: first dog in Africa to be trained from the start on pets, not people.”

Logie remembered the time she had spent with Jett saying, “We went through a lot together. You helped me recover from major neck surgery by getting me moving. You helped lure out a poisoned dog and likely saved its life. You were still a baby then. When I got so sick in February, you were literally in the bathroom with me when I fell asleep from exhaustion”.

Logie also remembered some of Jett’s quirks: “You were weird: who prefers ice over steak? At least date nights were cheap!

“You were also so gentle around kids despite your size. You were your happiest around kids. It was the only time I didn’t exist.

“I have so many memories but they will never be enough. People say you died a hero. I disagree. You died doing your job you loved and died so unnecessarily. All because of an open manhole cover. I will never forgive myself for extending that search.”

Messages of support came in from those that knew Jett and those that had only heard his story.

Deborah Marais said: “Oh Jett, you were loved, you will be missed and you will be forever remembered by all whose lives you touched. Condolences to all. RIP Jett… search the meadows at the Rainbow Bridge.”

Dina-Vera Schmittknecht said: “Fly high special boy, thank you for your service and leaving your paw prints with all of us. May all your hearts heal HH Team.”

Belinda Gibson said: “Sending you love from Moscow, Russia. I have lit a candle for Jett in the cathedral.”

Nafisa Desbois said: “Lots of love to you Diane and all at Healthy Hounds team. Jett, you touched our lives! Thank you for your service a beautiful life ended too soon! Soar with Angels, precious boy.”

READ MORE: Missing search-and-rescue K9’s body found

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