For eight years, Justice, the RCMP M-division's service dog, not only helped catch the bad guys in more than 300 arrests, but also acted as one of the best public relations tools for the RCMP in the territory.

At nine years old about 63 in human years -ñit was time for Justice to retire. Last Friday, he joined his handler, Cpl. Rod Hamilton, at the Whitehorse detachment for his last day of service.

'He's been a good crimefighter,' Hamilton told reporters as he sat next to Justice. 'He's done his time.'

Like many service dogs, over the years Justice has developed a calcification on his vertabrae, creating problems in his back end, which became noticeable last year.

'Certainly, my wife could tell you I was in denial,' Hamilton said.

It was eventually decided that Justice would retire this year. While he could have another successful year of service to the RCMP, it would have likely crippled him in the end.

'He deserves a good retirement,' Hamilton said.

Part of what makes Justice so special is the fact he's spent his entire career in the Yukon, responding to more than 1,000 calls and being part of 300 arrests, Hamilton said.

His last arrest involved tracking down a suspect after a brutal sexual assault.

After Justice tracked the suspect in the bush behind Mount Sima, large rocks were thrown and threats were made until police negotiated with him to come out, Hamilton said.

Justice's reputation often preceded him, his handler recalled.

A couple of months ago, Hamilton and Justice were called out about a car being stolen. Hamilton noted one of the suspects who was tracked down by Justice told police later that when they heard the police and dog approaching the abandoned truck cab they were hiding in, they said to the others: 'Oh crap, it's Justice. I'll see ya in two months.'

On countless occasions, Justice took on public relations responsibilities by dropping the puck at an NHL Oldtimers games or just by being out and about with Hamilton. It wasn't uncommon for the partners to be approached by many kids coming up to say 'hi' to Justice.

Along with his police duties were the endless hours Justice and Hamilton spent training everyday.

'Training never really stops,' said Hamilton.

The pair showed off their stuff, with Hamilton throwing a wooden dumbbell, instructing Justice to go after it and then instructing him to stop before he got to the toy. Justice followed all the instructions.

Through the years, the two partners have come to know each other to the point they can sense the emotions of the other.

'These dogs are not machines,' said Hamilton. He admits he has to get over comparing Justice with Ryder, who will take over Justice's job as M-division's police dog after he's done his training later this year in B.C.

Justice at about a year old when he joined Hamilton was a more mature dog when he became a police dog compared to Ryder, who's 15 months old.

'He's very much a puppy,' said Hamilton of Ryder, noting he has to move on from comparing the two. 'He just wants to get in everything and anything.'

While the two dogs have very distinct personalities, they both have the drive to be a police dog.

While Justice will join Hamilton and his wife inside the house as a pet, Ryder will be at Hamilton's side at work and on calls.

'I'll be carrying (Justice) into his sunset years after he's carried me for the last eight years,' said Hamilton.

Making that transition has meant slowly 'weaning' Justice off of his work schedule and creating a few distractions when Hamilton and Ryder go to work.

In the meantime, Hamilton and Ryder have been getting to know each other and doing some pre-training to get ready for their 80-day course on the Lower Mainland in B.C.

After bringing Ryder out to the press, Hamilton pointed to the lack of attention span the dog has now.

'He's just a bit of a hammer head sometime,' said Hamilton, though he predicts Ryder will have excellent tracking skills. 'With Ryder, you give him an inch and he takes 10 miles.'

When the pair take off for training, if there are going to be problems they'll be identified in the first 20 to 40 days and worked on from here. If they still can't be resolved, a new dog is assigned and the training starts all over again.

RCMP dogs are recertified each year.

While Hamilton is preparing for long days during the training session, he said it can be fun if you have a good dog.

Although Justice is officially retired, he could be called out until Sept. 30.

After that, if an RCMP dog is needed in the territory, a team may be called in from Prince George, B.C., or Edmonton.