You know It's Bad When..

SNOHOMISH -- A hardworking Snohomish police officer may soon lose her job, even though she doesn't draw a paycheck.

Dixie, a dog trained to detect illegal drugs, is one of more than a dozen cuts the city is mulling tonight to keep its budget in the black.

"When I put on my uniform, she knows it's time to go to work," said Sgt. Jeffrey Shelton, Dixie's handler. "For her to sit at home -- that would be devastating."

Dixie works nights with Shelton, her partner. Her supersensitive nose finds hidden drugs and the dirty cash that sometimes accompanies it.

In her three years as a commissioned officer for Snohomish, Dixie has discovered pounds of drugs and $25,000 in drug money. Dixie's favorite reward is a gnaw at her most treasured toy -- a length of hydraulic hose -- but she still costs the city about $16,000 a year. That money goes toward vet care, food, grooming, and kennel and training costs for the 7-year-old shepherd-collie mix, Shelton said.

Well, since most people in the world are getting laid off, it is about time animals start getting laid off too. But since it is a dog that got laid off, I guess I will feel bad.