A long-serving member of the Westbrook Police Department who retired recently didn’t receive the customary gold watch. Instead, she got a box of Milk Bones.

While that gift might sound insulting to most officers, for police canine Zina, the treats were much more appreciated (and tastier) than a gold watch could ever be.

While Zina, a 10-year old German Shepard, who has served with the Westbrook police for nine years, was more concerned with investigating the comings and goings at the Public Safety Building during her retirement party, rather than talking to the press, her partner, Patrolman Phil Hebert, said her age and health were the reasons for her retirement.

“She’s getting old,” Hebert said. “She’s slowed down a lot. Nine years of service is a long time.”

Watching his partner take a nap in the lobby of the public safety building before her retirement party, Hebert said that unlike some retirees who look forward to having free time to pursue various interests, he guessed Zina would not relish her new life of leisure.

“She’s probably going to be miserable,” Hebert said. “She loves to be in the back of that patrol car.”

Even though Zina would rather be in the back of the car with him, Hebert said he knows it’s time for his partner and friend to retire. “It’s her time,” Hebert said. “Bouncing around in the back of a police car, it’s a rough life. It takes its toll on her.”

Hebert said Zina is trained for tracking, apprehensions and drug detection. He estimated he and Zina had participated in 170 to 180 drug searches during her nine-year career. Hebert remembered one drug search where Zina identified a package containing cocaine, marijuana, and cash.

Additionally, Hebert said he and Zina had spoken to countless schoolchildren who have enjoyed watching Zina demonstrate her skills. In the lobby of the public safety building, a large thank-you note from one appreciative elementary school class is evidence of Zina’s effect on young kids.

Hebert said he is often asked whether he ever gets tired of riding around in a patrol car with a barking dog all day. Hebert said he doesn’t get tired of the barking; he thinks it might actually deter crime.

“I want people to know that she’s around,” he said.

While Zina may be retiring, it is not the end of the partnership between her and Hebert. Zina will continue to live at Hebert’s home as she has for her entire career. Hebert said at home, his family considers Zina much more than his partner.

“They think of her as the family dog,” he said. Besides, Hebert said, having a retired police dog around the house has its benefits. “She’s a heck of a watchdog,” he said.

Zina is also getting the chance to get to know Hebert’s new partner. Hebert is currently working with Storm, a male German Shepard, and, like Zina, Storm is living at Hebert’s house. Hebert said the two dogs get along fairly well. “(Storm) pests her,” said Hebert. “But Zina puts him in his place.”

Looking down at his partner, as they got ready to celebrate her retirement with their fellow officers, Hebert had nothing but good things to say about Zina. “I couldn’t ask for a better dog,” Hebert said.