The best boy: Sheriff’s Office says goodbye to Horry County’s finest and furriest

Thompson seconded Puckett’s statement.

“There’s always a bond between a canine and his handler but there was something much stronger between them,” he said.

That bond was evident Friday morning as Puckett and her husband took Kane around the Horry County Justice and Government Center one more time before receiving a full police escort to Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital where Kane was euthanized.

“It’s a sad day but he gave us a lot of memories,” Thompson said.

Thompson said Puckett and her family have the utmost support from the department during this difficult time.

Kane retired from the Horry County Sheriff’s office in December 2021 at the age of 10. He would’ve been 11 in November.

“He was just fun. Fun to be around and was a hard worker,” Thompson said.

One aspect of her daily routine Puckett said she will miss is having her gym buddy with her.

“He would always go into the gym with me and lay down and he’d watch me workout,” she reflected.

Even in retirement, Puckett said Kane still had a passion for his job.

“He still didn’t fully understand the concept of not going with me anymore,” she said. “He was just one of those one-of-a-kind dogs.”

Less than two months ago, Puckett and her husband purchased property with 46 acres. She said when Kane explored his new home, it was like being a puppy all over again.

“He was wanting to chase the ball, which I don’t allow him to do because he’s old,” she chuckled. “But I would let him have his ball and he wanted to chase his ball with the other dogs. It was just nice to allow him to run about and enjoy his time.”

For Puckett, Kane will always be special for her as her first-ever K9, fulfilling a childhood dream.

“I always wanted to be a cop and I always wanted to be a canine handler. And he was my very first and allowed me that opportunity,” she said. “We learned a lot together. He needed me as much as I needed him.”