MEMORIAL HELD FOR FORT WORTH NEIGHBORHOOD’S BEST FRIEND

Beau Blue had no owner but was everyone’s dog in a Fort Worth neighborhood

Beau Blue, a pointer-mix, died of heart and kidney failure and will be sorely missed by the many friends he made.

FORT WORTH NEIGHBORHOOD HOLDS MEMORIAL FOR DOG

Associated Press
July 5, 2013

FORT WORTH, Texas -- A memorial service has been held for Beau Blue, a dog with no owner who became a fixture in a Fort Worth neighborhood.

Residents, police officers and the veterinarian who cared for Beau Blue gathered Wednesday at an outdoor chapel to remember the pointer-mix who died June 26 of heart and kidney failure, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (http://bit.ly/1aG5Qxo ) reported. No one knows when he was born.

Blue was a fixture in the neighborhood of vacant lots, renovated buildings and small businesses off South Main Street.

"This whole little area was his kingdom," said Marcus Newton, who moved into the neighborhood about a year ago. "He ruled the place."

Newton quickly struck up a friendship with Blue, who would stay in his garage on cold nights and come by most days. But Blue, who got that part of his name for his bond with the police officers who patrolled the area, wasn't tied to one resident.

Fort Worth police officer G.G. Hempstead, who helped care for the dog, quickly learned that Blue knew the whole neighborhood.

"This dog brought joy to everybody," Hempstead said. "He guarded everybody. He would walk you down the street. When I first met him, I thought he needed me; then later I realized I needed him."

After difficult calls, Hempstead would visit Blue to relieve the stress.

Blue also reached out to the neighborhood's homeless population.

"When they're in need — if they need some love, if they need company — he hangs out with them," Hempstead said.

Jim Hardin, who owns Jane's Secret Place Antiques and Home Decor Store with his wife, Jane, said when he would show up late at night to work at the store or in the warehouse, Blue would always appear.

Crowley veterinarian Dehna Shaffer cared for Blue over the last 11 days of his life.

"A lot of times we go, 'He's just a dog,'" Shaffer said. "But this 'Just a dog' carried the heart of a community on his brave little shoulders. He was really special to all of y'all."