Milly's last day on the job on Sunday coincided with the close of the 2014 season at Treble Cone and the end of her 11th winter on the mountain.
Identified as having the traits of a successful search dog, the pedigree Labrador - who turns 13 next week - was taken on by handler and Treble Cone ski patroller Brendan ''Doons'' Kearns when she was 2.
Following a year's training at Treble Cone, Milly became qualified as an operational avalanche search dog 10 years ago and has since worked every winter on the mountain, five days a week.
For the past three years, Milly has achieved the added distinction of having advanced operational status.
She and Mr Kearns belong to Aspiring Avalanche Dogs, which responds to incidents across the Southern Lakes region and potentially as far north as Mt Cook.
Mr Kearns said Milly attended eight incidents during her service and confirmed all as ''cleared'' - with no people injured or trapped.
A crucial part of her role was helping promote back-country safety awareness, as the Aspiring Avalanche Dogs were ''really just the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff'', Mr Kearns said.
Milly's send-off was a low-key affair as skiers and snowboarders celebrated Treble Cone's busiest closing-day party.
''She's been out all day getting lots of pats and I think she got given a steak pie by one of the patrol crew.''
Her retirement would be in Wanaka and on the West Coast.
''I'm a surfer and we'll be spending a lot of time at the beach ... and just hanging out in Wanaka and living the good life.''
Aspiring Avalanche Dogs co-ordinator Matt Gunn said Milly was an ''outstanding'' team member.
''As soon as we met Milly for the first time, it was apparent that she had great drive and an awesome temperament, which has made her one of the top avalanche search dogs over the last decade.''
Mr Gunn said the pressure was now on to find a replacement, ideally with Mr Kearns as handler.
''We'd prefer to have an existing handler get a new dog rather than training up a new handler. We're gently putting pressure on him to get another dog and, if he's half as good as Milly, then we'll be happy with that.''
Mr Kearns said there was a ''strong possibility'' he would take on another pedigree Labrador canine trainee.
In 2015, Treble Cone should have Rocket and handler Mr Gunn, Zeffer and handler Callum Grant, and Tuki with handler Andy Wardell.
