Omaha zoo’s Watson the Wonderdog headed for retirement

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is having a “ruff” retirement for a beloved favorite. After almost 10 years, or 70 dog years, an icon at Omaha’s zoo is getting ready to enjoy the golden years.Watson the Wonderdog was adopted from a rescue in Lincoln back in 2013 — he worked with the interactive animal program for almost 10 years.”We picked him as an ambassador for the interactive animal programs department because of the bizarre demeanor, this adorable face and just his ability as a terrier to be a really good working dog,” program supervisor Alysia Hess said.Watson started performing in the Wild Kingdom Pavilion Wildlife Show, but his star power quickly earned the pooch his own headlining act with a focus on recycling.”He comes out on stage and he shows people how to recycle and differentiates between recycling and trash and other things like that,” Adventure Trails lead keeper Jennifer Renaud said.The wonder dog would spend his off hours socializing with animals off-exhibit since employees would bring him home, but Friday, Dec. 30 marks Watson’s last day of work.”We’re definitely going to miss him,” Renaud said. As Watson’s exit from work coincides with his longtime trainer Alysia Hess, the terrier isn’t going back to a rescue or another zoo.”He will be living on a farm. He gets to go on big field runs every day chasing bunnies — he doesn’t ever get on them, they run way faster,” Hess said.The zoo said it’s unsure if it will bring in another dog to takeover Watson’s show.But if it did, it would need to find a dog with a personality and demeanor that could follow in this rockstar’s paw-steps.