A Tribute to Debo

Debo was a very special boxer. He was almost 9 years old and I'd had him since he was a 4-month-old puppy with giant paws. Debo had nothing but
love for everyone he met. He was known and loved in the dog community of Manhattan's Upper West Side, and for years was part of a pack that run
and play together early in the mornings off the leash on the Great Hill in Central Park by "Stranger's Gate" (106th Street). I was a dog walker
then and able to spend lots of time with Debo.

When my career took me out of the park over a year ago, my marathoner roommates took him for daily runs, and cared for him with love when I
could not. When he was sick a month ago, possibly from tainted food, and I was sick with the flu, they helped him recover.
(Thank you Katrina, Sven, and Stephanie. Also thank you to Heather for years of love for Debo.)  It became clear to us all that I was no longer
able to care for Debo properly and I thank them for helping me accept and take responsibility for that fact, long overdue. I had fallen deep
into debt to pay for his walks and feedings. We all agreed that he deserved better care and attention as a senior dog. We all hoped that I
could find a new home for him with kids and a yard to play in.

I called one rescue group and cried into the phone and on emails for two full weeks and even filled out forms but they never called me back. That
was so painful.  Then I emailed BAR and within an hour, Kristine emailed me back and soonI was talking to her on the phone. She really listened to me,
made absolutely sure that surrendering Debo was the right thing to do, and then in less than a week BAR not only found a foster home for him in
Vermont, but also people who could transport him. Something in their voices told me that these were extraordinary people, that they were a
community who put the unconditional love and protection of boxers above all else, no matter what.  Amazing. I heard genuine concern in their voices,
not just for Debo but for me too.

On the day that Sharon and her husband, Vinnie, came to pick Debo up he and I had already had a great game of early morning fetch in Central
Park. When they pulled up and parked,  Debo jumped into their jeep as if he was expecting them. Their kindness and generosity made it less
painful to say goodbye to Debo. They hugged me and I trusted that Debo was safe.

The next morning, I got a message from Gary B., who had helped so much, along with Kristine, to coordinate everything. The message said
that Debo had suffered a seizure up at the Bishop's house in Vermont, after having spent a wonderful day driving and then playing in their
yard at a family function with their other boxer, Saint, and their children. I called Gary right away and he told me that Debo had
passed away of apparent kidney failure. He told me that the Bishops would lay Debo to rest next to the plot of the family's beloved Boxer,
Casey, who had already crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I love Vermont, as my family used to camp there every summer when I was a kid, and I am happy
that Debo can rest in such a beautiful, peaceful place.

I did not know that Debo had kidney disease, but now I understand that his passing was inevitable. I cannot give enough thanks to all the
people who cared for Debo on his last day. They made my wish for Debo to play with children in a yard come true. They gave him care and love and
the honor of a proper burial and I will always be grateful to them for that. I know they loved Debo very much in the short time they knew him,
and my heart goes out to the Bishop's kids because I know they truly loved him. I also want to thank Robin  who was planning to come pick
Debo up and provide a foster home for him.

It has been such a gift to get to know the kind people of BAR, those I met and also those I only talked to or emailed with, including Gail D.
I learned about the Rainbow Bridge from them and now I keep it in my heart and think about Debo waiting there for me. I can't imagine
Debo not existing Somewhere, because his spirit is so pure and good. I will always see BAR as a group of Angels who helped Debo cross the
Rainbow Bridge as peacefully as anyone could wish for. I struggle with guilt for having to surrender him, but BAR has helped me know that it
was something that was good for Debo, and I believe this despite the pain.

I want to thank everyone in BAR for being so good to us and for helping Debo cross the Rainbow Bridge with peace, love, and dignity. Debo and I
will always love you.

Jenifer B.