BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Few bonds are unbreakable. In science, chemists cite covalents. But in Titusville, Justin Grindell points to a precocious German Short-Haired Pointer named Grande.

“A lot of people really like him. ‘Course I like him. He’s my best friend,” Grindell said.

Grande is more than Grindell’s pet, however. Until this month and for the past eight-plus years, Grande has been Grindell’s partner, sniffing out suspicious bags for bombs at Orlando International Airport.

What You Need To Know

  • K-9 handler Justin Grindell has worked alongside a German Short-Haired Pointer at MCO for years

  • Grande celebrated his 10th birthday with a party at the airport in May, then transitioned into "retirement"

  • Grindell will begin working with Asterix, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois

  • The transition has left Grindell with mixed feelings

The two were paired at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After eleven weeks in a basic handler course, the K-9 was certified, and Grindell, after waiting 10 years to get into the K-9 handler program himself, finally had his first working dog partner. 

“My life depends on him, other people’s lives depend on him, doing his job correctly," Grindell explained. "There’s a real bond there. Other than sleeping, we’re with them 24 hours per day.”

Most days, Grindell and Grande train, working to develop the dog’s skills and responsiveness to different scenarios.

But following each shift, the dog returns home with Grindell, living as a pet in the man’s Brevard County home.

Last week, the routine — so deeply engrained in the duo — changed. The airport celebrated the dog’s 10th birthday with a party: cheerful party planners strung banners, stuffed bags with toys and set out delectable, dog-friendly treats for Grande and other K-9s who roam the traveler-filled hallways.

The next day was Grande’s last on the job, as the K-9 officially retired.

“This is bittersweet for us. I’m glad that he’s happy. This is all about him. … He’s my best buddy,” Grindell said, watching the dog tackle a new toy with vigor. “I just want to make sure he has a smooth transition into that life.”

Yet, that transition into a pet at home — and no longer a working dog — has been weighing on the handler for months.

Now, as a colleague retires and K-9 Asterix becomes his partner, Grindell wants to ensure that Grande remains comfortable and happy.

“He’s going to have to adjust to having another dog around the house, have to adjust to not being the only one getting my attention,” Grindell said. “I want to make sure he knows he didn’t do anything wrong and this is good for him. I don’t want him to see me taking another dog to work and saying, ‘What did I do wrong? Dad’s replacing me.’ He could never have been replaced. In my heart, he’ll always be No. 1.”