Internet honours passing of popular Edmonton service dog Kuno
Posted January 10, 2025 2:06 pm.
A popular Edmonton service dog known for spreading kindness and accessibility awareness on social media has died.
Kuno’s owner shared the news on X Thursday, saying the rottweiler passed away “a day after his 8th birthday. He had fluid in his abdomen and was becoming septic.”
Marla Smith first spoke with CityNews about her life with Kuno in 2020, saying she started documenting her life as a bilateral amputee through the eyes of her dog to spread awareness about accessibility barriers that exist for those in a power wheelchair.
In a statement Friday, Smith says “Everything that I’m capable of doing and everything good in my life is a direct result of him. He taught me how to cope with things and to keep trying to get out in the world.”
RELATED:
- Public birthday party for Edmonton service dog
- Kuno the service dog: Bringing awareness and kindness through tweets
Kuno is the second rottweiler Smith has trained and gotten certified to help her with tasks like picking up keys, opening doors, or pulling her out of the snow when her chair gets stuck.
Smith says with Kuno at her side she was able to find an online community of supporters that gave her confidence to explore the world. In recent years, she purchased an accessible hand-controlled van giving her the ability to navigate the city in a different way and even leave Edmonton to participate in competitive dog sports.
Since announcing the news of Kuno’s death, Smith says she has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support.
“Strangers stepped up to cover his final vet bill. I’ve had flower deliveries from people I’ve never met. I suppose somehow, he and I brought out the good in people and it’s really showing now.”
Smith has previously called Kuno Edmonton’s unofficial accessibility watchdog, noting how people are more likely to share posts highlighting mobility barriers when written from the perspective of a service dog.
“For a discount-priced puppy that had been returned to the breeder, he made quite the journey to being loved by thousands.”
Smith is in the process of training her third service dog, Chesney.
