OKLAHOMA CITY: AFTER THE BOMB : Best Friend in Good Times And Bad

Search dogs aren’t the only canines playing a part in the bombing aftermath. Oklahoma has some of the more active chapters of Therapy Dogs Intl., a nationwide group dedicated to the proposition that not only is the dog man’s best friend during good times, the dog may also be man’s best hope during times of heartbreak and grief. Within hours of the blast, Therapy Dogs, canines were meeting with the families of those killed and trapped in the rubble. Children among the survivor families who huddled together at the First Christian Church were particularly drawn to the dogs. “A dog is a calming, accepting presence,” said Therapy Dog owner Peggy Brawner, who has a Dalmatian named Hootch. “The children just hugged Hootch and felt a little bit better.”

A Rallying Cry

Numerous Oklahoma City police cars have the new rallying cry, We Will Never Forget, written on their back windows. The idea started with Lt. John Clark, leader of the city’s emergency response team, and has spread. Although official regulations say no markers or stickers or other defacements are allowed on squad cars, police brass have not ordered the slogans removed. And the meaning? “The bad guys have their martyrs and now we have ours,” said Officer Don Bingham.

Home Field Advantages

Among the VIPs who have streamed into city to offer encouragement and thanks to rescue workers were most of the Dallas Cowboys football team. Coach Barry Switzer and quarterback Troy Aikman both have strong ties to Oklahoma. For years, Switzer was head coach at the University of Oklahoma. Aikman grew up in the state, and his sister is a nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital, near the bombed federal building. “It affects me more than others because I grew up here. I have loved ones here,” said Aikman. Added defensive tackle Chad Hennings: “I spent time in the Persian Gulf War and saw atrocities done to the Kurds. None of that compares to this. It is something I cannot fathom.”