News that ferociously regaled AFP bomb sniffer dogs “Sensor Detectives” Urban and Xander are taking their police pensions and retiring after what should be 49 dog years in the force cannot pass without mention (“Bombs away for canine cops”, Sunday Telegraph, 18/5). Their survival is a tribute to training protocols and the excellence of their world-class handlers. Their challenges in understanding humans and training could not have been without confusion. As a verb, to bomb is to fail dismally, yet when a noun in slang, it describes people or events as impressive and spectacularly successful. The common phrase “bombs away” implies departure by dropping things, yet it is derived from the nautical reference to departure being “anchors aweigh” meaning lifting things. Detecting ticking time bombs, dirty bombs and IEDs might indeed have required a great sense of smell, but one must wonder if our complicated language left our furry cousins wishing we all just barked instead. Congratulations to all the handlers and dogs who keep us safe. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 25May2025
