It's been more than five years since the Geauga County Sheriff's Office acquired Midge, the rat terrier-Chihuahua mix known for being the world's smallest law enforcement work dog.

Early on, she was pursued by the likes of Geraldo Rivera and Ellen DeGeneres for their TV shows, after word spread about her. (The media frenzy followed an article by former News-Herald correspondent and resident dog lover Diane Ryder.)

It appears that time has failed to diminish adoration for the diminuitive drug-sniffer, now nearly 6 years old.

Part of the sheriff’s office appears to have become a shrine to Midge. A larger-than-life statue of her sits in one corner. A pillow with her likeness is across the room, along with a cabinet covered with pet trinkets sent in by fans, testifying to her continued "pup"-pularity.

The media hound never fails to steal the show when seen around town with handler Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland.

He's used to it: "I always say, if she could drive and open doors, I wouldn’t have a job."


-- Betsy Scott, BScott@News-Herald.com