'These are just not dogs ... she was my therapy'

Strafford County Sheriff's Deputy Keith MacKenzie, who handled famed K-9 bloodhound Daisy Mae, holds a box containing her remains during Monday's memorial ceremony at Rochester Opera House. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - There wasn't a dry eye in the place on Monday as K-9 handlers from around the state and Southern Maine came to pay their respects to renowned bloodhound tracking dog Daisy Mae during a memorial service at the Rochester Opera House, but the heaviest burden fell on her handler of almost seven years, Keith MacKenzie of the Strafford County Sheriff's Office and Rochester Police, who lost a partner, a confidante and best buddy.

His voice often strained and cracking, MacKenzie summed up what the bond of every K-9 unit becomes.

"These are just not dogs," MacKenzie said. "I was forever talking to her in the patrol car, she was my therapy."

Daisy Mae, acclaimed as one of the top tracking dogs in the country, died in February due to a medical condition at the age of just seven.

Strafford County Sheriff David Dubois gives Sheriff's Deputy and Daisy Mae K-9 handler Keith MacKenzie some moral support as he talks about his former partner on Monday at her memorial service at the Rochester Opera House.

In recognition of her service and sacrifice K-9 units from Franklin, Belmont, Dover, Barrington, Alton, New Durham, Bristol and Wells, Maine, came to pay their respects among many others.

Known as one of the most storied K-9s in New Hampshire law enforcement history, Daisy Mae began her service as a certified tracker with the Strafford County Sheriff's Office at the age of 7 months in May of 2011, and was immediately assigned to MacKenzie who traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to pick her up.

It was during their first encounter that MacKenzie said he realized they had a diamond in the "ruff," you might say.

He recalled picking her up in Nashville and being outside their hotel at 3 a.m. when Daisy Mae noticed a man in the hotel parking lot who appeared to be going through cars. They called local police and Daisy Mae ended up tracking the suspect successfully for a quick arrest.

"I was thinking this could be pretty good," MacKenzie said, smiling but holding back tears.

He also fondly recalled how when they would get a radio call in a patrol car - and Daisy Mae knew their call numbers - the beloved bloodhound would howl like mad "just cause she wanted everyone to know she was there" on duty, he said.

"As soon as the call was over she'd quit barking and go back to sleep," MacKenzie said.

Daisy Mae was owned by the Strafford County Sheriff's Office, but under a special agreement she was also made available to Rochester Police.

A recent press release from the SCSO at the time of her death noted a few of the many highlights of Daisy Mae and MacKenzie including:

Apprehended a suspect currently serving 40-life for a homicide in Farmington.

Apprehended an armed suspect in Aroostook County Maine, who was wanted for killing his girlfriend.

Apprehended a cop-killer in Pennsylvania who killed a PA State Trooper and injured another.

Just under 200 call outs for service during Daisy's lifetime.

Awards - Maine State Police award for Service to Maine, Heroic service award from Federal law enforcement and Boston Red Sox, National award for patrol case of the quarter (USPCA), Top patrol case of the entire USPCA, Blooming Grove Service Award from Pennsylvania State Police for assisting in the capture of a convicted felon after a prison escape, NH congressional law enforcement award, 40/8 Merci club box car memorial award, Strafford County award for bravery.

Rochester Police Chief Paul Toussaint called Daisy Mae a public relations superstar.

"She was the draw," he said referring to her presence at National Night Out and the Rochester Fair.

Strafford County Sheriff David Dubois remembered the first time he saw Daisy Mae.

"She came into my office and those ears were draggin' the floor," he smiled. "And all I could think was 'she's gonna pee on my carpet.'"

Then he recalled he would tell MacKenzie to take care of Daisy Mae, "but Keith would say Daisy took care of him."

Among the several who got up to speak of their remembrances of Daisy Mae were Joanne and Tony Gagnon, whose son, Ryan Stewart, was fatally stabbed during a Farmington robbery in January 2012.

Daisy Mae and MacKenzie responded that horrible night, they said, and tracked the suspect in the snow.

Because of her skill and effort a suspect, Christopher Gay, was located and ultimately brought to trial. He was sentenced in 2015 to 40 years to life.

"At least we got answers," Joanne Gagnon said. "Sometimes these things happen, and no one ever knows. It means the world to us, so we had to come today."