Officer Sam Wonnell says his police dog Quarz is his best partner and best friend.
The first Los Gatos police dog, Quarz, died on June 9 — exactly 10 years from the day he took the "Loyalty Oath" that bound him to the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.  In reality, Quarz was bound to his partner, Officer Sam Wonnell.
"My authority was never once challenged when Quarz was with me," Wonnell said. "Los Gatos and Monte Sereno were much safer when Quarz was on duty." Quarz was on the job for more than eight years before he retired in June 2007. Wonnell purchased him from the town for $1 and took him home to enjoy a quieter life.
When he was still a working dog, Quarz participated in more than 300 arrests, sniffing out drugs and even car thieves.
In April 2005, about 50 police officers, some in helicopters and others on horseback, searched for a man who had stolen a Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police car. When the suspect abandoned the patrol car, Wonnell swabbed the steering wheel and had Quarz smell it. Quarz tracked the suspect down within minutes.
Wonnell described Quarz as a dog whose goal in life seemed to be all about pleasing people — unless they were on the wrong side of the law.  The last few years of his career were spent in classrooms with Wonnell as part of the town's anti-drug program. Wonnell said Quarz was popular with students, who always wanted to see him open the patrol car door and let himself in.  Dr. Kyle Frandle was Quarz's veterinarian and says everyone at the Los Gatos Dog and Cat Hospital will miss him.
I guess what most people don't realize is what an amazing animal he was," Frandle said. "He knew every place in town where there are dog treats." That's because he had an extraordinary sniffer. In fact, Quarz was the only dog to ever achieve a perfect score in competitions held by the Menlo Park-based Witmer-Tyson dog training and sales company.  In the end, Frandle said Quarz died as a result of a degenerative disease. "Mentally he was ready and able, but physically, no."  Frandle said his friends at the Dog and Cat Hospital are setting up a Good Samaritan Fund in Quarz's honor.------By Judy Peterson-Los Gatos Weekly-Times - submitted by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA
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Although Wonnell first and foremost thinks of Quarz as a partner and friend, he admits it's next to impossible for officers not to develop feelings for their canine companions. "It's very difficult not to treat him as a pet. That's the first thing they drummed into me. But at home, it's like he's part of the family," Wonnell says. His wife and three sons feed, groom and play with Quarz, but the dog does not sleep with them. He stays in his own special kennel in the yard. Quarz isn't even Wonnell's dog, but belongs to the department. Wonnell hopes, however, to wait to retire until the dog reaches retirement age as well--another seven or eight years--so the two can stay together for life. "A lot of people say I should have tried to become a sergeant with my years and experience, but I sure wouldn't want to give the dog up now. I'm a big dog lover, and I love this guy!" Wonnell says. "The bond between us is so strong; I know he'll do whatever I ask of him. He would even put his life down for me." "I'm very proud of both of them," Todd says. "Awards don't just happen--both the handler and the dog have to work a lot together. Coordination [between] the two is critical, and they have it. Sam and Quarz have truly enhanced the safety of this community."
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