Bridgeport’s OG, or rather DOG, had a birthday this week. Connor, the beloved therapy dog and trusty sidekick of Bridgeport Police Prevention Resource Officer, just turned 11.

 

My old canine math tells me Connor is 77 in human years. While his age may be creeping up, he still loves having fun. And few things, Hamrick said, are as fun to Connor than today’s annual Bridgeport Christmas Parade.

 

“I swear he knows that parade is coming. When the snow flies, when he sees Christmas stuff being taken out, he runs to the car. He’s ready to go,” said Hamrick. “He doesn’t go to school every day anymore since he’s gotten older and used to run to the car every day for school. He still gets excited, but that changes when the first snow flies.

 

“Connor is running to the car more than usual, and he’s done that this time of the year for the last several years,” she continued. “Maybe I’m wrong, but I think he’s smarter most of the time than what I think. I’ve got a good feel about him after all these years.”

 

That “feel” she mentions includes knowing what Connor wants for his birthday. And it is a birthday present he needs everyone planning to attend today’s Christmas parade to try and provide to make it a happy one Connor.

 

During the parade, Hamrick and Connor will be walking outside of Chief Mark Rogers’ vehicle. Attached to his cruiser will be a trailer – and that is where you come in.

 

For Connor’s birthday, he is asking for donations to be made to the Harrison County Humane Society and the Shepherd’s Corner. The best part? You can give Connor, Hamrick, or another member of Connor’s family, the gift at the parade. You can also take it to another location later that will be mentioned at the end of this blog.

 

Connor and PRO Hamrick will be joined by Connor’s wife Chloe, and two of their special children – Cassie and Will.

 

“We’ll all be walking the parade route next to the trailer. We’d love to fill the trailer with donations of food for people and food for our animal friends,” said Hamrick. “That would make Connor happy, and it would make me happy too. Both of those agencies, particularly this time of the year can use the help.”

 

Hamrick said there is never a bad time to provide a donation to those groups, but she is hoping a chance to mingle with Connor, Chloe, Cassie, and Will may inspire some parents and some youngsters to grab something from home, or make a quick stop at a store prior to today’s parade.

 

While Connor is in good spirits, and in good health, Hamrick said she knows there are not a whole lot of parades left for the city’s most beloved dog.

 

“He’s aging well. I can’t complain, but he’s slowed down, no question,” she said. “His energy level has dropped, too, but his overall health is well. I know I sometimes have to help him get into the cruiser, but he still enjoys being a therapy dog. When they get older, you want to watch their temperament, and there is no inkling of that. I have two grandchildren that he is around, so I’ll notice that, and he still loves children and being around people.”

 

Hamrick said this is not the first time Connor has participated in a food drive. She said a few years ago the police set up a drop off point for food and donations along Johnson Avenue. She also said they have drove through neighborhoods with police and fire apparatus, but those require arranging manpower and extra time.

 

“This, everyone is going to be there, so it’s kind of set up for us to try and make someone’s Christmas a little bit brighter and help make someone’s pet’s Christmas a little brighter as well,” she said.

 

The parade starts at 10 a.m. today. You can see Hamrick, who will be joined by several friends volunteering to collect the items, along the parade route. It should also be noted that Hamrick and her crew will accept cash donations for anyone who does not have time to grab an item from home or purchase anything. She said the cash will go to the proper locations to assist those in need.

 

And if you do not have anything with you, including cash? Well, you can still do a good deed.

 

The following week, from Monday, Dec. 8 to Friday, Dec. 12, you can go the Bridgeport Municipal Complex, head to the police department, and then proceed to the reception area. The staff there will accept donations that week during regular working hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

“The front office staff said they would be glad to help,” said Hamrick. “We’d also like to see you at the parade to see Connor and Chloe and their kids. The whole family will be there.”

 

Included in the family, all four of whom are therapy dogs, is Connor. It is the patriarch’s birthday. Please be sure and bring a gift.

 

Editor's Note: Connor gets some love from Santa at a past Bridgeport Christmas parade, while he snuggles up with PRO Jamie Hamrick in the second photo. In the third photo, Connor, left, and Chloe enjoy a ride in a police cruiser during a city event. Bottom photo shows the family, left to right of Will, Cassie, Chloe, and Connor. All photos courtesy of Jamie Hamrick.