Meet Gavel: a German Shepherd from Queensland, Australia who was training to be a police dog. In the end, this sweet puppy failed out of the police academy because he was ‘too friendly.’
Gavel spent the first six weeks of his life at the police academy, learning how to keep the people of Queensland safe.
The puppy had come from a long line of police dogs, so officers thought he would be a natural. This didn’t turn out to be true, though. The pup was clearly smart, but he was simply too friendly to do the work of a police dog—he loved meeting new people more than anything.
“[Gavel] did not display the necessary aptitude for a life on the front line,” the Australian Police told the BBC.
In the end, flunking out of the police academy turned out to be a good thing for Gavel. The pup was offered another job that was perfect for him!
The Governor of Queensland, Paul de Jersey, had fostered Gavel while he was at the police academy. The governor and his wife fell in love with the cute puppy, and when they learned he had been fired from the police squad, they quickly offered to adopt him. They named him the ‘Vice-Regal Dog of Queensland.’
The job is the perfect fit for Gavel! He spends his days meeting Queenslanders who come to visit the governor’s mansion. Everyone is always so excited to meet the friendly dog.
Gavel also takes part in ceremonial occasions, and he gets to wear a custom-made uniform while taking part in these ceremonies.
“He has outgrown four ceremonial coats, undergone a career change (his official title is now Gavel VRD, ‘Vice-Regal Dog’), and brought untold joy to the lives of the governor, Mrs de Jersey, Government House staff, and the thousands of Queenslanders who have since visited the estate,” the office of Governor Paul de Jersey said.
Gavel has now been at the governor’s mansion for a little over two years, and he’s doing great.
Gavel still loves meeting people more than anything. The governor also often features Gavel on his social media pages—Gavel doesn’t mind posing for photos.
Gavel also participates in all of Australia’s national holidays. Here he is posing for a photo to celebrate Australia Day!
Governor de Jersey loves having Gavel in his home. The sweet dog brings tons of joy to him and helps him relax after stressful days.
“We hope Gavel’s with us for a long, long time into the future,” Governor de Jersey told 7 News Brisbane.
Gavel is a cute dog who has found the perfect job! If you want to learn more about Gavel, check out the video below.
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