UPDATE: Dec. 2011
 

K9 SIRIUS - August 26, 2011-UPDATE from David Lim
Some engineers have speculated the collapse followed the path of least resistance and fell into and open air atrium instead of the stairwell the group was in. It is still unclear why the stairwell was only partially damaged. Thirty-seven Port Authority officers died on 9/11, along with Lim's K-9 partner Sirius.   "The thoughts of 9/11 are always with me," said Lim. He knows the feelings will be intense on the upcoming 10th anniversary, the first since the dead of al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden.  "It gives me some satisfaction, but no closure. I hate that word closure. My friends are still dead. My dog is still dead," said Lim. Despite the vivid memories, Lim, who remains on the force, is actually looking forward to the anniversary.  Lim will present an award named after Sirius to the family of a military dog handler killed in Afghanistan.

This PAPD was designed and given to me by Mario Warnaar of the Netherlands.


"I was just at the "Bklyn Wall of Remembrance" in Keyspan Park (Coney Island) for a Palm Sunday service.
Don't worry about Sirius. He still gets plenty of fanmail, thanks to your website. That's the actor,
 Tony LoBianco with Sirius & me in the middle....."
Just received from Dave... 4/7/09  Let's hope and pray that people will never forget 9/11/01

UPDATE:  PAPD  K-9 SIRIUS Dog Run

Monsignor John J. Kowsky Plaza - North End Avenue median just south of Warren Street
in Battery Park City - Manhattan, NYC

In Loving Memory of K-9 SIRIUS  
Badge # 17
One K-9 killed by terrorist @ WTC - 9/11/2001

"My family & I have lost someone very special. Thank you for sharing our grief,"  Dave
FIRST ON THE WEB with Constant updates began September 2001 & constant copies of my work all over the web.
 F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets cards to all partners of all L.E. & SAR, MWD and mounted L. E. horses .

Bob & I went to the memorial service that sad day in MAY.... took many photos, met all generations of Dave and his
family plus many K9 handlers from all over the country.  Here are just a few of my photos.  The first saw Dave on TV,covered with gray ash as he was rescued, tearfully & gratefully for surviving. Deep in his heart, he knew that he lost his best friend, Sirius, along with many other friends & co-workers.  It took a week or so to find his name and email and requested a photo of Sirius. I also notified the Main Office of the Port Authority in AZ of the loss of one more .... they didn't have SIRIUS listed @ that time.
This was the beginning... This is how I met Dave....(Lulu)  write to Officer LIM
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If you see any of the photos below on other websites... they were taken with MY camera
and copied by others. Please give credit to Louise Krause, www.k9memorialcards.com

In Loving Memory of
K-9 SIRIUS
September 11, 2001
 
Badge # 17  WTC
Handler: Officer David Lim
Port Authority Police Department NYNJ
World Trade Center  NYC 

Click on the PAPD to see memorials for all 37 employees who lost their lives on 9/11/01. The PBA has set up a separate fund specifically for the purpose of aiding and assisting the survivors. Tax deductible donations may be made to: 
"God Bless America" 
Russ Hess, National Executive Director 
The United States Police Canine Association, Inc.
PO Box 80, Springboro, Ohio 4506  
mailto:uspcadir@aol.com    1-800-531-1614
Officer Lim with SOLO, brother of Sirius, Sirius Pin, FAST Co. Awards
       
 THE LOSS OF SIRIUS: The following are series of news events and information during this horrible time.
More photos... some are mine and since so many others took my .jpgs, I feel that I can share their's here also.

December 06, 2001 HONORING THE FALLEN
The Annual Blue Mass on Nov. 8 took on additional meaning this year in the aftermath of Sept. 11. The Mass honoring fallen officers is held each year at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St. Newark. Mass  was celebrated by Most Rev. John Joseph Myers, Archbishop Newark.

"One Got By Us" 
Officer Lim was in the K-9 office in the basement of the WTC and heard the explosion on an upper floor. Thinking it was a bomb that had exploded David put his K-9 Sirius in the dog crate and told him to stay, he was going to investigate. David told K-9 Sirius, "one [bomb] must have gotten by us." Officer Lim had no idea of what had actually occurred or how the world was rapidly changing for all of us. The officer started up the stair way directing people out and reached about the 44th. floor when he heard the second explosion. The officer still did not have any idea what was happening and felt that missiles had hit the building. The building evacuation was under way and he was assisting several people down the staircase.  Officer Lim stated they could now hear the building collapsing and he was helping a female down the staircase when the whole building came down around them. The officer and others believe they were at about the 5th level in the stairwell that was partly standing after the collapse. The smell of jet fuel was heavy and they elected to go up to the now top of the World Trade Center, the sixth floor. They were eventually tossed ropes to get down and were making there way across the debris when small arms fire was heard. David stated he first thought that a battle was under way and thought to himself he was he going to get shot after living through the building collapse? It was later found the small arms fire was ammunition that was stored that was now being detonated by fire. David made several attempts to find a way to get to the basement were K-9 Sirius was crated but was rebuffed by fireman and officers now trying to secure the scene and set up rescue operations.  His Canine Sirius #17 is still listed as missing. Officer Lim and Sirius were new members of the USPCA having joined in July of this year.  They were members of Region 15 and had participated in certification trials. Officer Lim told me that his department has had several offers to replace his canine. He asked me to pass on to you all his sincerest appreciation for all of your thoughts and prayers. We still hold out hope and pray for those missing.  Officer Lim told me that his Department, The New York Port Authority, are missing thirty-seven officers Plus officer,K-9 Sirius in this attack and he asked me to pass on the following information for anyone who wishes to make a contribution to his Department. The Port Authority PBA is extremely grateful to all those who have offered assistance to our membership in this time of need. We have offers of financial help for the families of members of the Port Authority Police Department affected by the World Trade Center disaster.  Officer D.W. Lim

October 30, 2001 COURAGEOUS CANINES!
When Port Authority K-9 police officer DAVID LIM responded to the World Trade Center disaster on September 11, he brought along his trusty bomb sniffing Labrador retriever, SIRIUS. But when he realized he'd be more effective freehanded, Lim left his canine companion inside the building. "Nobody thought these buildings would fall down," he told ET. "At that time, I couldn't think of a safer place for Sirius to be than in the basement while I was up doing the rescues. Of course, now, when I look back, he probably saved my life by just sitting there." Sirius perished in the tragedy, leaving David alone without his co-worker. "He's very special," said David. "All dogs go home with us. So not only was he my partner, but he was also my pet and my friend."  The bond between canine and master is a special one. And while David realizes the human tragedy may overshadow the death of his dog, any pet owner can attest to the impact an animal makes on our daily lives. "We were very close. No matter where I went, he went. Whatever I asked him to do, he did. He never complained. Sometimes we'd be working for long hours, searching hundreds of cars or trucks, and he'd just look at me like, 'What do you want me to do now?'" When Seventeen magazine heard of David's situation, it decided to make a difference. Last Friday in New York City, in front of a roaring crowd, the K-9 police officer was presented with a new dog, BUSTER, at the 9th Annual Seventeen's Star Showcase, a charitable event for 3,000 teens now benefiting New York City Disaster Relief. During the uplifting event, featuring concert performances by EDEN'S CRUSH and 3LW, plus fall and holiday fashion shows by Seventeen's Style Squad, David took the stage with his family and was presented with his new pooch. "This is a fine example of a new beginning," David said. "Everybody talks about September 11. Let's talk about the future. The future is a new dog that I'll be working with, 
that'll be just as good as my buddy, Sirius."

To order laminated Sirius memorial cards & How Sirius Got His Name
Sirius  - Related: Stars 
(sir´ees) , or Dog Star, brightest star in the sky. It is located in the constellation  Canis Major (1992 position R.A. 6 h 44.8 m , Dec. 16°42); its Bayer designation is  Alpha Canis Majoris. Sirius [Gr.,scorching], having an apparent magnitude of 1.45,  is exceeded in brightness only by the sun, the moon, and Venus and by Mars and Jupiter  at their maximum brightness. A white, main-sequence star of spectral class A1 V, Sirius  is about twice the size of the sun and about 20 times as luminous. It is also one of the  nearest stars, lying at a distance of 8.7 light-years, so that it has been studied extensively. From an analysis of its motions, F. W. Bessel concluded (1844) that it had an unseen companion, which was later (1862) confirmed by observation. The companion,  Sirius B, is a white-dwarf star and has also been the object of considerable study  because it is the first white dwarf whose spectrum was found to exhibit a gravitational  red shift as predicted by the general theory of relativity.

 "One particular moving piece of film was about a Port Authority officer named David Lim," Tellep said. Lim, Sirius' handler, was one of the few people to climb out of the rubble alive. Unfortunately, his our legged partner didn't. Tellep knew the state was in the process of buying the dogs, and as the local representative of the Public Safety Employee's Association, he brought up the idea of naming one of the new dogs after Lim's missing dog. The union bought the dog. Other organizations, such as various Lion's Clubs, helped raised funds for the other four dogs. Because the $4,000 for Sirius was provided by the union, "in our small way, it was to show solidarity and support to the victims of the 9-11 (attacks) and to the policemen and firemen," Tellep said. The name comes from the brightest star, "Sirius," in the constellation Canis Major, meaning great dog.  But it has taken on a whole different meaning since Sept. 11.  Lim, 45, has told his story countless times on shows such as the Today Show, Extra, Entertainment Tonight and has given many speeches. Lim and Sirius, a 4.5 year old, 90 lb. yellow Labrador, started a normal day at 5:30 AM in the basement of the World Trade Center, Lim said in a phone interview from JFK International Airport in New York on Sunday. Sirius is one of two dogs whose job was to check incoming trucks for bombs. But at 8:48 a.m., everything changed when an airliner crashed into the first tower at the World Trade Center. "Oh my god, they got one (bomb) by us," Lim remembers saying to Sirius. He told the dog to stay put while he went upstairs to check things out. He struggled past falling debris and people streaming down the stairs until he reached the plaza floor. There he saw a dead body lying next to a stage. "I've been a police officer for 21 years and had never seen a dead body like that," Lim said. Soon after, another body landed about 50 feet away from the first one. He called his wife Diane. That's when he learned a plane had hit the first tower. When he reached the 44th floor, the second plane hit the other tower. "I saw this debris and fire coming toward the window. It blew out the window and knocked me and everybody there down," he said. "When the second one hit, I knew we were in trouble and we were under attack." When he and another fireman were helping probably the last civilian in the building escape from the fragile tower, the world came crashing down around them. "The sound, it was something between an onrushing locomotive and an avalanche," Lim said. "It lasted 15 seconds, but it seemed like forever." They were on the fourth level at the time and half of the staircase in front of them had disappeared. They started looking for a place to hunker down until they could be rescued and they passed Lim's two cell phones around for people to call their families. Soon after, Lim started smelling jet fuel and they started back up the stairs again. The reached the top of what remained of the World Trade Center on the sixth floor. There they radioed for a ladder team who threw them rope and they climbed down roughly three stories to Ground Zero. There Lim turned around and saw a sight he described as surreal and horrific. "It reminded me of the movie 'Terminator' where they're going through the big junk yard during a battle at the beginning," Lin said. "It looked like a big kid kicked over his Legos." Lim still believed his dog was alive and was trapped in pockets underneath the rubble. He tried several times to re-enter the debris, only to be turned back by firemen and police officers. Finally, some of his fellow Port Authority officers threw him in the back of an ambulance. He cried the entire way to the hospital. Sirius and 37 officers of the 1,000 strong Port Authority were gone. The dog's loss has hit the Lim family hard, especially Lim's 12 year old son Michael. Sirius lived with the Lim's like most canine officers. Lim's life, like the country's, has pressed on. But things are different for Lim. Lim will be getting a new canine next week, but there isn't a World Trade Center to protect anymore. He's had his story published in international magazines, he's received scores of e-mails and letters, most of them wishing him sympathy. He's had 160 people offer him replacement dogs. He rang the buzzer on the New York Stock Exchange's reopening day September 17, has met royalty, movie stars and high profile politicians. People even recognize him on the streets. There are plans for Lim to meet Sirius' Alaska namesake in March. Tellep has been trying to organize sponsors to help Lim and his wife travel up for the start of the Iditarod and to spend two days in Fairbanks. Meanwhile, the Alaska Sirius is beginning what will hopefully be a long career as a trooper canine. Trooper Lt. Randy Hahn, the statewide canine coordinator, went to Alabama to select five dogs who would be suitable for the tough job of a law enforcement canine. The dogs were matched with the personalities of the troopers selected for the canine program. The dogs and their handlers are headed for roughly 10 weeks of training to become dual certified as narcotics and patrol dogs, doubling the number of dogs troopers have already. Sirius is originally from Holland and knows commands in Dutch, but at the academy all of the dogs will be taught commands in German. after the academy, one of the dogs will go to Sitka, two will be stationed in Soldotna, one in Palmer and Sirius will come to Fairbanks. Sirius has spent the last month bonding with Baker and lives with him, his wife Tracy and their 3  year old Greyhound-Dalmatian mix.  Baker spent 13 years in the Army prior to becoming a trooper. He has experience only in the logistical side of the military's canine program in the Pacific area, but he's always wanted to be a handler. "The only adjustment I've really had to make is the idea of working with a partner," Baker said. "He's my partner. I've got to watch over him and he watches over me. 
It took a few days to get used to."

Cop fulfills vow to dog killed in WTC            
Friday, January 25, 2002 By NICOLE GAUDIANO Staff Writer - THE RECORD 
 Port Authority Police Officer David Lim's last words to his partner on Sept. 11 were: "You stay there. I'll be back for you." After four months, Lim can finally say he fulfilled his vow. Workers at Ground Zero on Tuesday recovered the remains of Sirius, a yellow Labrador retriever believed to be the only canine to die in the attack on the World Trade Center. "I've been waiting to find him," Lim said Thursday. "I fulfilled my promise to him because I came back and I took him home." The remains of the bomb detection dog were found beneath the debris of Tower Two, in the Port Authority's basement kennel. Lim left Sirius there and went to help with the rescue effort, but didn't make it back -- he became trapped himself, in Tower One, and wasn't pulled out until more than five hours later. Workers immediately called Lim to the scene Tuesday when they found Sirius. They carried out the remains with full honors, complete with a prayer and a salute. "There was a flag over his bag and I carried him out with another officer, John Martin," Lim said. "Everyone saluted. All the machinery was stopped -- the same thing that is done for human police officers and firefighters. I thought it was very nice." Lim, who was Sirius heralded for his rescue efforts that day, had placed in the kennel moments after the first plane hit Tower One. Then he rushed to help people down the staircase, shouting. DOWN IS GOOD! 

he heard the call to evacuate, he made his way to the fifth floor, where he stopped to help carry a woman. "We got as far as the fourth floor and the building collapses on us," he said. "It was like an avalanche. We were just waiting there to die." Lim escaped to the sixth floor -- which eventually became the top of the rubble. He was finally rescued after 3 p.m. He had suffered a mild concussion, but no serious injuries. The Port Authority has listed 37 of its police officers as missing or dead as a result of the attack. Lim believes that number should be 38. Sirius, who was 4 years old, searched commercial vehicles coming into the trade center. He had worked with Lim since March 2000 and helped clear the way for visits by such VIPs as President Bill Clinton, Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. "He was my partner," Lim said. "We got really attached to him. "I still step over the spot where he used to sleep in my room because I forget he's not there." Doctors would not allow Lim to search at Ground Zero because of the emotional toll it could have taken on him. But he has kept tabs on the rescue effort, checking in periodically to ask whether they had made it to the kennel area. In the first few months, rescuers had to build a road over it to get to another area. When they found his jacket recently, Lim knew they were getting close. Lim was training his new dog, a black Lab named Sprig, when he got the call from Ground Zero on Tuesday. He found consolation in the fact that his partner died instantly. It appeared that the kennel collapsed. Sirius' remains were cremated at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in Westchester County, N.Y. Lim collected the ashes Thursday and will keep them in an urn at home until April, when he plans to hold a memorial service. He hasn't yet determined where. "We expect hundreds of police dogs to come," he said. " It's going to be very big."

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A Time For Closure
Doctors would not allow Officer Lim to search  at "the pile" because of the emotional toll it could have taken on him.  But he kept tabs on the rescue effort, checking in periodically to ask But he kept tabs on the rescue effort, checking in periodically to ask came: they had  found Sirius.  Investigators said that the dog had died instantly when the kennel collapsed. On Thursday, January 22, 2002, under full honors, complete with a prayer and a salute, the body of Sirius was removed from the wreckage. "There was a flag over his bag and I carried him out with another officer, John Martin," says Officer Lim. "Everyone saluted. All the machinery was stopped—the same thing that is done for human police officers and firefighters.

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National Search & Rescue Organization February 11, 2002 Search and Rescue Dogs Honored 
During a break at the Westminster Dog Show in NYC, SAR dogs from around the country were introduced with their handlers. The crowd of 10,000 cheered to the point of frightening the dogs and their partners along with the music from the NYPD marching band.  Some of the K-9s were returning to work at the WTC site after their appearance. One officer said, he would rather face gunmen than the crowd. Glenn Close was there to sing God Bless America." The last officer to be introduced was David Lim
 with his new partner, "Sprig." To me, they were "BEST OF SHOW." 

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March 11, 2002 
In New York City, a moment of silence began a day of reflection for city officials and victims’ families who gathered at a park near ground zero Monday morning. That evening, the lights reflected the towers and will remain on at night for an undisclosed amount of time. March 11, 2002  6 Months Anniversary of 9/11/01  Officer David W. Lim was interviewed by Katie Couric on the TODAY

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SPRING 2002 TO MAKE YOU ALL A PART OF THE DAY'S EVENTS WITH PHOTOS taken by "lulu" and my little camera.... I have negatives and original photos.....   Memorial  Photos K-9 Sirius  F.A.S.T. Co.    page 7 FIRST ON THE WEB Site created to memorialize Sirius in September 2001 TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE...I WILL SHARE MY SITE FOR SIRIUS FOR NON-PROFIT, BUT- PLEASE  GIVE CREDIT TO  F.A.S.T. COMPANY  TY, Lulu.  I TRYING TO MAKE YOU ALL A PART OF THE DAY'S EVENTS WITH MY PHOTOS xx* This seems to be everyone's favorite photo... Hank Nolin, (Florida  Sun K-9's) with K-9 Peter Pan, looking at Sirius. The Port Authority Police Department Drum ---- ---- & Pipes opened memorial service.  Presenting cremains of Sirius. (name of officers?)       Prior to unveiling of Sirius Portrait (Name of officers?)     Just some of the media attention service received from NBC, CNN, and FOX & others plus various newspaper reporters from everywhere.               Bob, Lulu, Dave and Debbie (artist)     The Port Authority Police Department Drum -------- & Pipes opened memorial service. Presenting cremains of Sirius.  You may see some of these photos on other sites.... they were taken from my Sirius Site... I have negatives.    Bob,Lulu Dave and artist,  - - - - - - - -Hank Nolin, (Florida  Sun K-9's) with K-9 Peter Pan, looking at Sirius.    Just some of the media attention service received from NBC, CNN, and FOX & others plus various newspaper reporters from everywhere.   Personal Impression (Lulu) Louise Krause Tuesday: Bob & I checked out the park the afternoon prior to memorial service. We wanted to make sure where to arrive early the next morning. The Liberty State Park is very large, and  at that time was almost empty. The weather over these two days was beautiful with the sun sparkling on the Manhattan skyline that was awesome for us because we don't take it for granted. Yes, we could see broken windows in skyscrapers near Ground Zero. A constant reminder of September 11th 2001.  Wednesday: As we approached the area, we found ourselves in a sea of a hundred or more K-9s.  "I WAS IN HEAVEN!"  There were Police & Sheriff's K-9 patrol cars from all over the USA. Also, a very large PAPD bus (see below), painted with graphics about Sirius, the Port Authority Police Dept. and the names of 37 others who gave their lives on that tragic-eventful day. You could hear the practice sessions of 2 bagpipe-drum corps. Men and women dressed in uniforms, including many from the San Francisco Fire Department. It was a military event familiar to us since we attend many USCG events in Cape May. There were chairs set up for many guests. Suddenly, photographers from all over appeared in front of everyone to cover the service. The stage was set with "important" people near a display of Sirius' oil portrait, urn, and American flag. Lapel pins and programs were given to guests. A long table was set up near another long table that had refreshments. This displayed token gifts sent to the Lim's from people all over the country, I will show a few on photos on the next page. Dave was proud of his family, parents, co-workers and superiors for all their support. Best of all for us, was meeting Dave & his family and new partner, Sprig, face to face instead of e-mail. Sprig, incidentally, knocked me on my A-S-S- when I stooped down to pet him...why? Sprig not only has a great nose for 25 or more explosives, but rawhides too.  I had one hidden, sealed and in a heavy canvas bag. He knew it, a gift for later. During the service, I never saw so many L.E. with tears streaming down their cheeks. From 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM ( when we departed for home, and I am sure afterwards) Dave was unselfishly giving individual time to everyone who wanted to speak to him. His family patiently watched.  He kept his composure and generously made everyone feel very special as though each was the most important person there. He displayed his sincere appreciation of everyone's attendance. Needless to say, emotions were high. The guests acted like one big family comforting each other. I know support was there for the Lim family and others who lost friends & relatives. We were honored to be a part of this celebration of the life of Sirius.    ~lulu On January 22, 2002, the body of the ONLY K-9 killed in the collapse of the WTC was recovered.  Sirius, a Port Authority Bomb Detection Police dog, had been in his kennel in the basement of Tower Two when the hijacked airliner crashed into the tower and it collapsed. His handler/partner, P.O. David Lim, was helping in the rescue efforts and was himself buried in the rubble for 5 hours before he was rescued.  When Sirius' body was found, Officer Lim was there to help in the recovery of his K-9 partner, who was carried from the ruins with full police honors. I sent 2500 photo memorial cards to DAVE as my 911 donation. If you see any of the above photos on other sites.... they were copied from mine and my 'lil' camera.  lulu Please give credit to Louise Olson Krause, Cape May, NJ  loulou5858@comcast.net also; in www.k9heroesbook.com In Loving Memory of K-9 SAM January 5, 2001 Handler: Daryl E. Delagrange, MPO III  High Point Police Department  High Point, NC 27260  Sam was a purebred Belgian Malinois, who worked the streets of High Point from January 14, 1991 until his retirement with honor and distinction on June 15, 1998.  He then tried to take life easy, but his desire to work the street never left.  Being retired was not for him.  When we worked together he would get sick on his stomach if he thought he was being left behind at home.  He was four years old when he started his K-9 career and over eleven and a half when he retired.  He will always be the oldest working K-9 that the High Point Police Department will ever have.  They are now required to be retired by age ten. Sam was put down with me at his side on January 5, 2001 because he could no longer have quality of life.  His life long (service years) vet performed the task.  He shed as many tears as I did.  On January 19, 2001, my department held a memorial service for him. A lot of nice things were said about Sam and I.  I had only hoped that I had made his life as rewarding as he had made mine.  He is truly missed. Sam was honored by being selected as both "Who's Who of Animals, 1994 and Who's Who of Dogs, 1995." Sam was also honored as "Patrol Dog of the Quarter" by the USPCA (United States Police Canine Association") for a track he ran back in 1993. So, not to relive his 67 apprehensions, he was a great dog and a wonderful partner.  I am a Housing Authority officer now.  In fact, the last six months that Sam spent on the street, we were assigned to the Housing Unit.  I still occasionally dabble in K-9 stuff with the our new handlers.  In fact this last November(2001) our department sponsored a K-9 Seminar for about thirty dog teams across the nation.  I got to assist and that brought back a lot of memories.  I decided that when Sam retired I would never work another dog. Well that's a short version of my life as a K-9 chauffeur.  I loved it and loved my dog.  Of course I have always loved dogs.  If you want some coincidence, my parents sent their Doberman to WWII and he returned from the Pacific during WWII and two years later my twin bother and I were born.  So we sort of grew up around dogs with experience at catching the "bad guys".  I wish that my father would have lived long enough to have seen Sam.  He would have loved him to death.  Dad was an obedience trainer for the AKC.  Ms Pamela Jane Delagrange" aka,"PJ" Sam's friend @ home. g

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