The cartoon below in today's edition of the Cayman Compass by Caymanman (aka George Nowak, the Barefoot Man) really brought back memories and made me laugh.
Years ago we were traveling on vacation to Cozumel and my husband had stopped at the bank before we left to get some cash in small bills - about $200 I think - so it was a big wad of cash but not a large amount of money. I don't know if this is still the case, but back then the $USD was widely accepted in Mexico but it was always difficult to get change for larger bills.
As were were lining up to board the plane at the departure gate in O'Hare Airport, a Federal Agent with a dog entered the area. She had the dog check out all the passengers waiting to board the plane for Mexico, and the dog walked directly up to my husband and sat down with his nose right next to the back pocket of his jeans where he had stashed his wallet!
The agent asked my husband to step out of the line and said "Sir, are you carrying a lot of cash?" and he said "Yes, I am going on vacation!" She then asked him to produce the cash and when she saw that it was just a lot of small bills, she thanked him and let him get back in line.
I had never heard of a "cash-sniffing dog" before but that dog really knew his stuff - he went straight for my husband in a big crowd of people!
Another example, a few years ago I was walking to work from Union Train Station in downtown Chicago and it was a rainy, Summer day. I decided to cut through the Boeing Building to get out of the rain and as I was walking down a corridor toward the main exit I saw a UPS agent, wearing the usual brown shirt and shorts, leaning up against the wall casually with a bunch of packages and boxes piled up at his feet. It was a bit surprising because delivery guys in the city are usually rushing around in a big hurry.
A Security Guard with a dog walked up to him and I saw the dog check out the packages before the Guard allowed the UPS agent to continue making his deliveries. I suddenly remembered that Boeing was one of the "technological companies" that had been targeted by the UnaBomber years ago (He's a local native son - we're so proud - not!). Apparently Boeing now has all packages checked for explosives by canines before allowing them to be delivered.
I have also seen Guards and dogs patrolling areas around the Union Station, especially during times of public demonstrations and political unrest.
Those dogs are good! And I am glad that they are on the job to protect us, but it sure would make me nervous if one of them took a sudden interest in me at the airport!
Years ago we were traveling on vacation to Cozumel and my husband had stopped at the bank before we left to get some cash in small bills - about $200 I think - so it was a big wad of cash but not a large amount of money. I don't know if this is still the case, but back then the $USD was widely accepted in Mexico but it was always difficult to get change for larger bills.
As were were lining up to board the plane at the departure gate in O'Hare Airport, a Federal Agent with a dog entered the area. She had the dog check out all the passengers waiting to board the plane for Mexico, and the dog walked directly up to my husband and sat down with his nose right next to the back pocket of his jeans where he had stashed his wallet!
The agent asked my husband to step out of the line and said "Sir, are you carrying a lot of cash?" and he said "Yes, I am going on vacation!" She then asked him to produce the cash and when she saw that it was just a lot of small bills, she thanked him and let him get back in line.
I had never heard of a "cash-sniffing dog" before but that dog really knew his stuff - he went straight for my husband in a big crowd of people!
Another example, a few years ago I was walking to work from Union Train Station in downtown Chicago and it was a rainy, Summer day. I decided to cut through the Boeing Building to get out of the rain and as I was walking down a corridor toward the main exit I saw a UPS agent, wearing the usual brown shirt and shorts, leaning up against the wall casually with a bunch of packages and boxes piled up at his feet. It was a bit surprising because delivery guys in the city are usually rushing around in a big hurry.
A Security Guard with a dog walked up to him and I saw the dog check out the packages before the Guard allowed the UPS agent to continue making his deliveries. I suddenly remembered that Boeing was one of the "technological companies" that had been targeted by the UnaBomber years ago (He's a local native son - we're so proud - not!). Apparently Boeing now has all packages checked for explosives by canines before allowing them to be delivered.
I have also seen Guards and dogs patrolling areas around the Union Station, especially during times of public demonstrations and political unrest.
Those dogs are good! And I am glad that they are on the job to protect us, but it sure would make me nervous if one of them took a sudden interest in me at the airport!
