Messi, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever, has dedicated most of his life to serving as a professional Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent. From his first day on duty at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, he has taken pride in screening luggage for explosives and ensuring the safety of the airport.
After years of dedicated service, Messi recently reached retirement age — an occasion his devoted team of agents couldn’t let pass without celebration.
As a dedicated TSA agent, Messi took his job seriously. And he fit in perfectly at the airport.
“He was clearly born to work for TSA because he enjoys watching airplanes and playing in the grass at nearby Gravelly Point,” the TSA wrote in a press release.
The professional good boy trotted into work each day with his handler, Peter, excited for another shift of scent-tracking. As much as he loved sniffing bags for explosives, Messi’s favorite moments involved the celebratory tennis balls he’d receive whenever he did a great job.
So, for his last shift ever, his doting team showered him with an avalanche of tennis balls, which surprised the unsuspecting boy.
“A training aid was concealed in a large room and Messi, along with his handler, Peter, searched the room,” recounted the TSA. “When Messi ‘hit’ on the device, he was showered with tennis balls tossed his way by other canine handlers. Messi was thrilled!”
Messi leaped with joy as the hoard of tennis balls fell around him, scrambling to scoop at least one into his mouth. While some of his coworkers cheered him on, others began blowing bubbles in his direction to ramp up the excitement.
After a few minutes of playing with the tennis balls, Peter surprised Messi with a meaningful and long-awaited change in attire.
“Peter then removed Messi’s ‘Do Not Pet’ patch from his harness, thus officially signaling that the dog was no longer a working canine and could be petted,” described the TSA. “There was no shortage of guests who were eager to pet the newly retired dog.”
As Messi basked in the affection and attention from his cherished colleagues, he couldn’t help but feel like the superstar of the evening. Every pat on the head and heartfelt “good boy” reinforced his sense of pride and accomplishment.
After a joyous retirement celebration with his TSA family, Messi headed home with Peter, ready to embark on the next chapter of his life. No longer bound by duty, he looked forward to lazy afternoons lounging on the couch, relishing the simple pleasures of retirement in the company of his favorite human.
“The time has come for Messi to swap his working vest for leisurely moments by the fireside,” the TSA shared, marking the beginning of a new adventure for the retired canine hero.
The TSA agents at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport already feel the absence of Messi’s presence, but they take comfort in knowing that the sweet boy is now relishing his retirement.
“Messi is a lovable and hard-working dog, who has enjoyed playing with a tennis ball after a busy day sniffing for any traces of explosives at the airport,” the TSA reminisced. “Now he doesn’t have to wait to play with his favorite toy.