2-Year-Old 'Yukon' Replaces Retired Anaheim Police K-9

ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) — A 2-year-old German Shepard recently took the place of an Anaheim police K-9 that was forced into retirement after being shot in the line of duty.

Anaheim Police Department Officer RJ Young shared with CBS2's Michele Gile the progress that his new K-9 partner, Yukon, has made while following in the footsteps of his previous K-9 partner named Bruno.

"I can't go into this wanting a new dog expecting to have Bruno," said Young. "Truly, I wouldn't want one. As a handler, I want another experience."

Young went on to explain that he shares a completely different routine with Yukon.

"Sometimes we'll be driving home, and he'll just lay his head on my shoulder," explained Young. "It's a completely different thing that I never had with Bruno."

According to Young, Bruno suffered from a gunshot wound in March 2014, which shattered his jaw and punctured his lungs, during a fatal encounter with an armed man in a SWAT operation.

The Anaheim Police Department honored Bruno's heroic performance, as he saved one or more officers from serious injury or even death during the incident.

The police K-9's retirement from service was announced in May 2014.

Bruno is on his way to making a full recovery since overcoming eight surgeries, according to Young.

Yukon, who is six years younger than Bruno, craves attention and acts more like a puppy, Young said. He described Bruno as being stubborn and independent.