It was the only secret my husband, Buddy has ever kept. He surprised me with a 6 week old, 13 pound Mastiff puppy named Bo Ogopogo. Bo was rescued, from a man who had an accidental litter and didn't have homes for the 8 puppies. The moment I held Bo , we formed a bond that I can't describe and won't describe because to try to put it in words would surely minimize its value and impact. There was something between us that I had not felt before, like a cosmic understanding and some part of me knew we didn't have much time together.

He was never in serious pain or sickness and always happy, playful and loving but there was a whisper inside me that said I needed to make the most of our time together. Bo went to day care at Lucky Bones and made many friends and in turn I made life long friends as well. He had a collection of custom collars and leashes and it gave him an identity as a fashion hound. When his 2nd birthday came around we celebrated at the local Brew Dog and he had dog and human friends attend, complete with gift bags and pup-cakes. He had his own van for trips to the Vet when he needed hydrotherapy, laser treatments and accupuncture.

In his short life of 3 and 1/2 years he never had a truly bad day of health- which redefined “ healthy” for me. In spite of his indelible spirit he suffered with a narrowing in his spine known as Wobblers Syndrome and by the time he was diagnosed properly, it was beyond surgical repair and could only be managed with medications and physical therapy. He was in some pain his whole life and we didn’t know.

The last morning we would spend together, I got up early to take him to hydrotherapy. He was lethargic and clearly very sick but he got up and walked to the van. Due to Covid-19 I couldn’t go into Diley Ridge emergency vet so the last time I saw him conscious was him walking with the Vets into the office. He looked back at me and told him he would be alright.

They called to say he had to have emergency surgery, even though he was not a good candidate for it since he was bleeding internally. During surgery they discovered his stomach was littered with cancerous nodules and he had an unrepairable tear in his stomach lining. I had to choose the kindness of letting him go. We did get to be with him as they administered a fatal dose of anesthesia ( he was still under anesthesia as to be awoken would cause great pain). I was proud of how well my husband and I handled it-speaking softly and not letting one tear fall until I knew his soul was at peace. I am haunted by the shock of the phone call and having to let him go so young but I am grateful that he didn’t suffer and all of his days were full and good. I share my story to let you know to be proud of the bond you have with your animals. Losing them is a great grief and it isn’t to be overshadowed by others loss or even human loss. Each loss offers new Grief- each time it is an island that stands alone and cannot compare to anything or anyone else. I also share this story to let you know why Bo Paws It Forward has been created- it is to honor the love and life of Bo Ogopogo who gave so much and asked for so little. All that we will do with this charity will be with Bo’s integrity in the forefront and to provide the care, education and assistance that I was grateful I could afford. Remember that animals have a pure energy, free from the human burdens of revenge and spite, so what they leave in this earth is true and everlasting love.