Messi, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever, has worked as a professional Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent for most of his life. Since his first day on the job at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, he’s enjoyed nothing more than screening luggage for explosives and keeping the airport safe.
But after years of hard work, Messi recently became eligible for retirement — and his beloved team of agents decided to celebrate him with a special surprise.
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 shared with The Dodo.
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,” the TSA wrote. “When Messi ‘hit’ on the device, he was showered with tennis balls tossed his way by other canine handlers. Messi was thrilled!”
You can watch that moment here:
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,” the TSA wrote. “There was no shortage of guests who were eager to pet the newly retired dog.”
Messi soaked up all the love and pets from his beloved coworkers. He’d always heard he was a good boy, but at his retirement party, he felt like the best boy in the world.
After an exciting evening of celebrating with the rest of the TSA crew, Messi returned home with Peter to begin a blissful retirement alongside his favorite human.
“The dog is ready to trade in his working vest for afternoons lounging on the sofa,” the TSA wrote.
The TSA agents at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport already miss having Messi around, but they’re thrilled to know that the sweet boy is now enjoying life as a retired canine.
“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 wrote. “Now he doesn’t have to wait to play with his favorite toy.”
