Piper rocking his Rex Specs K9 eyewear on the job in early February 2016. (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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By Tanda Gmiter | MLive

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - As friends and fans mourn the loss of Piper, the four-footed half of the Cherry Capital Airport K-9 Team, we're taking a look back at some of the best of his social media posts over his nearly three years on the job.

He was one of a handful of dogs working in wildlife control at a U.S. airport. His mission: Chase away birds and other wildlife that could interfere with the safety of planes taking off and landing on the runways.

Early on, Piper and his owner/handler Brian Edwards became social media celebrities. They did an AMA on Reddit, became known as ambassadors for the area, and posed for countless photos.

We're sharing some of our favorites, courtesy of airportk9.org.

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Piper and Brian do Reddit's AMA

Brian Edwards' Facebook shoutout on the night of the Reddit AMA: "Hey everyone! We're enjoying our Sunday evening doing a Reddit ask me anything! If you Reddit, get on and ask us stuff!" (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org

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Courtesy airportk9.org

No safe hiding place for trespassers

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Piper speaks to his fans

Host: "So Brian, Piper is kind of a big deal..."

Piper: "Jack, Jack. If I may... MORE BACONZ. That is all."

(Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Piper shows off his cast

Piper, a bird-chasing border collie at Cherry Capital Airport, had to take it easy in late 2015/early 2016 as he recovered from a fracture that occurred while he was chasing a snowy owl on the taxiway. (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org.)

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Mr. Inspiration

From his proud handler: "Inspiration: Merriam-Webster Dictionary says, 'a force or influence that inspires someone'. I say, might as well change it to 'Piper'. This guy straight up inspires me. No matter what life throws at him, he won't ever be defeated. This moment says it all. Love ya bud!" (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Wanted: 1 snowy owl

After piper broke a toe chasing after a snowy owl in late 2015, his handler had a little fun joking about payback: " The Cherry Capital Airport K-9 Team is seeking assistance from the public to locate a fugitive wanted for causing injury to a public official. Please refer to this cast cover for the sketch of the suspect, who is still at large... WE WILL HAVE OUR REVENGE!" (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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If the name fits ...

Brian says: "Badass level: Expert." (Photo courtesy airportk9.org)

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Piper meditates on the taxiway

"Piper often likes to randomly stop and enter deep thought. Eyes closed, he breathes deep and just listens. Here he is on a perfectly still winter's morn during a taxiway inspection. I know I'm biased, but there's something special about this guy." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Piper's Coast Guard crew

"There isn't a finer group of men and women K-9 Piper would rather spend #veteransday with. What an honor to call the people of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City friends." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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King of the Mountain

"If anyone still has doubts about who runs this joint, this should settle it. Taken last winter, Piper would climb this snow mountain made by our snowblowers to get a good view of the field. King of the Mountain for sure." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Courtesy of airportk9.org

The chase

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Piper's happy face

(Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Christmas Duo

The K-9 team's Christmas 2015 message: "Merry Christmas! Piper and I had duty today at 4am, so we celebrated at work." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Sunset smile

Posted Jan. 2, 2016: "Helluva sunset tonight. Dude was crazy happy to be back at the beach! I mean, look at that smile." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Will you be mine?

Piper's Valentine message to Dr. E: "Heyyyy ladies, P1p3r here. Shanksh for all da lUv and valentine rekwests. Wuz tuff saYin no to all da tousands of ladies, but ther cAn onwy Be 1." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Overtime in lake effect

"Piper stands fast on the runway in the face of 12" plus of lake effect snow over the past couple days. Dude put in a lot of overtime to make sure planes got in and out safely." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Pre-flight Check

"Happy belated bday to our good friend LT Vlasak! Pipe will be your copilot anytime!! Piper loves to help with preflight checks and wish his buddies a safe flight." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Piper gets his cast off

In late February 2016, piper's cast came off: "Been a crazy couple of days, but we managed to get groomed and some new aircraft familiarization in today, sans cast!" (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Goodbye to a friend

From January 2016: "No badassery today, just a heartfelt goodbye to a good friend. Carl worked as an airport maintainer over 10 years and retired today. These two were buddies. I joke about it, but Piper truly is the airport's Chief Morale Officer. It's amazing to me the relationships Piper has forged in just over a year here. And really, that's his most important job." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Sun is out, Birds are out

In this picture from early 2015: "Piper awaits the inevitable arrival of waterfowl in one of our detention basins." The melted snows and a low water table make this our primary battleground in the spring. (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Hanging with the Blue Angels

"Dude was a little out of his element, inside and practically naked, but he couldn't have been happier the U.S. Navy Blue Angels were in town! Can't wait for the National Cherry Festival airshow, as we hopefully have some cool photo shoots lined up." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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A day off at Sleeping Bear Dunes

"A day off means some sort of adventure around these parts. Here's a shot of the dude watching rain moving ashore along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. "Oh the good life" (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Piper strikes a pose

From Facebook: "Damn he looks good next to that orange helo. What's that Pipe? You'll look better flying in it? Truer words have not been spoken." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Courtesy of airportk9.org

Howlin' for Halloween

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Friends with The National Guard

Proudly wearing National Guard unit patches, K-9 Piper watches a 60 from the 3-238th General Support Battalion, Grand Ledge, MI as they liftoff from a refueling stop. (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Have ball, will swim

In this post from November 2015, Brian says: "Happy #tongueouttuesday! After a long duty weekend, was good to get out and enjoy this early November heat wave! Beach, ball and your buddy. What else does one need??" (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Piper's first skydive

Piper took his first skydive jump in Virginia in late August 2016. (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org and Jimmy Hatch of Spike's K9 Fund)

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A little Air Force love

"Pipe was all smiles as he thanked these airmen of the United States Air Force's 732nd Airlift Squadron." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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He's a hugger

"Here we were trying to take a nice, official pic ... and he just has to go and be awesome." (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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December 2017

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Best Friends

Piper is shown in this photo with his owner and handler, Brian Edwards, who is on staff at the airport. (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Waiting for the next plane

Piper sits on the runway at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City. His job is to help manage birds and other wildlife, keeping them away from the aircraft. (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Sitting at attention

Piper waits inside his handler's truck for his chance to chase birds off the runway. (Photo courtesy of airportk9.org)

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Watching his Coast Guard pals

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter takes off from a snowy Air Station Traverse City at the Cherry Capital Airport. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Fly guys

Piper and his handler/owner, Brian Edwards, take a seat in a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City helicopter. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Courtesy of airportk9.org

A final wave

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Courtesty of airportk9.org

Godspeed, good boy

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Courtesy of airportk9.org

Go get your wings

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To learn more about Piper

To learn more about Piper's time as part of the Cherry Capital Airport K-9 Team, check out these sites, and the social media content posted by his owner, Brian Edwards.

Check out Piper's website: Piper the Airport K9

On Instagram

Cherry Capital Airport K-9 Team on Facebook