Shielded only with a small, blue flak vest, the tiniest member of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SES) shimmies through a hole in a brick wall where a home used to be.
The pyrotechnics expert is scoping for unexploded bombs in the northern city of Chernihiv which was pummeled by Russian missiles and mortars for weeks after the invasion began on February 24. His nose for news is 50 times more acute than any human’s. And — he’s only two years old.
Patron, a spry and sinewy Jack Russell terrier, has sniffed out 90 Russian bombs and burrowed his way into hearts throughout Ukraine and the world.
“Our brave baby Patron has inspired an incredible number of gifted artists and we are incredibly happy for that,” SES wrote in a recent Facebook post. “It motivates [us] not to give up no matter how hard it is, to keep the bar high and to fight with new strength, knowing how many people are still waiting for help and how many people believe in us.”
Admirers across the globe have drawn, painted and crocheted Patron’s likeness in a myriad of realistic and whimsical styles. He’s been shown soaring through the air in a cape, humbly tweezing hair-triggers in fields, looming benevolently over a city skyline and pissing on a Russian rocket. In a particularly moving split-screen, Patron straddles two worlds: on the left, mines littering a bombed-out building beg his attention; on the right, a lush city park beckons him to play.
Photos of Patron clamoring on an armored vehicle and cradled in a child’s arms have also been posted: “Our pyrotechnic dog, Patron, . . . is loved by both adults and children.” SES has also dubbed Patron “The mascot of Chernihiv.”
“One day, Patron’s story will be turned into a film, but for now, he is faithfully performing his professional duties,” SES Tweeted.
SES warns locals to stay on sidewalks and avoid mechanical devices or going into the woods: “Be careful. Do not hurry to return to your homes.” A phone number is provided to report suspicious objects.
Since WWII, dogs’ legendary sense of smell has been used to locate land mines, improvised explosive devices and bombs. Though Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds are typically used for this purpose, the high intelligence and wiry frame of the Jack Russell enable Patron to squirm through tight spaces and home in on concealed weapons.
The fate of companion animals in Ukraine has been mixed. Hundreds of thousands have fled with refugees. In the confusion and haste to evacuate, others have been abandoned; some of these adopted by Ukrainian soldiers. In a heartbreaking discovery, the charity UAnimals reported finding hundreds of shelter pets dead; volunteers claim the dogs died after Russian troops left them trapped in cages for nearly a month.
As in many of Ukraine’s northern and western cities, Chernihiv’s defenses beat back the Russian assault. Now Patron paws the debris fields, clearing the way for new buds of hope to grow.