Story of the week – 8/29/01

Story of the week – 8/29/01

Remembering “Bolo”

God summoned a beast from the field and he said, “ Behold man, created in my image. Therefore adore him. You shall protect him in the wilderness, and shepherd his flocks; watch over his children and accompany him wherever he may go, even unto civilization. You shall be his ally, his slave, and his companion.”

“To do these things, God said, I endow you with these instincts uncommon to other beast: Devotion, Faithfulness, and Understanding, surpassing those of man himself. Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of man. Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words. Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of man with any other beast or even man with man. Speak to your master only with your mind and through honest eyes.”

“Walk by his side, sleep in his doorway, forage for him, ward off his enemies, carry his burdens, share his afflictions, help him capture the enemies of society, love him, and comfort him. And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants, which shall only be food, shelter, and affection.”

“So be silent, and be a friend to man. Guide him through the perils along the way to the land that I have promised him. This shall be your destiny and your immortality.”

So spoke the Lord, and “BOLO” heard… and was content.

On Sunday, 8/26/01 at 1:30pm, Police Dog “Bolo” went to sleep in the arms of his master, my brother Mark. I know after having gone through this a few years ago with my own K9 partner, that it was one of the most painful and frightening experiences Mark has had to face in his lifetime. It was especially sad for me because Bolo was my dog’s brother.

BOLO was diagnosed with a fast advancing and spreading cancer in his jaw and mouth not to long ago. Mark was faced with the decision that no K9 handler wants to ever make, and that was to have BOLO go to sleep, peacefully in his arms.

I went through my own pain and torment a few years ago after putting Rommel to sleep because of cancer. After a few months the pain of losing him slowly turned to fond memories of the 6 great years we had together, and I feel to this day as though Rommel is still “watching my back” and saving me a place in heaven.

Mark, you did the right thing. Think back to all those years Bolo kept you safe and out of trouble on the streets. The smiles he put on children’s faces in your city’s neighborhoods and schools. The felons who decided not to run from you, because of the loud thunderous growl from the big headed Rottweiler hanging half out your car just waiting for your order to “take care of business…”
You go into a 7-11 in the middle of the night for a cup of coffee during a long shift and you come outside with the feeling someone is watching you – and you notice it’s BOLO, intently watching every move you make.

BOLO was there for you all along the way little brother. And one thing you will come to realize with time, is that in the end, you were there for him. You made the ultimate decision, which in turn stopped his pain, his discomfort, and his suffering.

Bolo was a champion. He was majestic, he was loyal, and he was huge! But underneath that snarling growling Police Dog, he was a big teddy bear with a big appetite who loved you, your wife, and your daughters more than anything.

What you had to do on Sunday was the ultimate act of Love between you and him. Bolo is running around heaven with Rommel and Sasha now, getting used to the new place and finding out where the bottomless food bowl and treats are at, but just as when he was in the back of your patrol car, don’t think for one second that he isn’t watching every move you make.

You two are still partners, and always will be. When you go outside at night and look up at the stars, look for the brightest one and that will be him saving you a place for when you two will be reunited someday.

I’m sorry for your loss Mark, but you did the right thing. It was the only thing, that one partner could do for another out of love.

Bolo…Thank you for keeping my brother safe all those years. Since you were Rommel’s brother I guess that kind of made you my nephew. Please keep Rommel out of trouble up there, and tell him I think of him everyday. I love you both. You both will always be “Hero’s” to me.

Uncle Jim