Another good girl has crossed over to doggy heaven, and we’re all going to miss her – even if we never met her ourselves.

Foothills K9 association had some heartbreaking news to share. A beloved German Shepherd had passed away the last 22nd of January. Her name was Debris.

The loving doggy provided many years of service to Sacramento Metro Fire’s Arson Unit. With her keen nose and loyal attitude, many people owe their lives to this Shepherd.

Debris’ journey began in 2013. She trained at the Canine Academy in Texas before her days as a fire unit K9.

She was a rather important dog even then. She was the first K9 unit at the Sacramento Metro Fire Arson Unit.

No doubt she brought joy and smiles to all the people she worked with. Debris was remembered for her happy prancing around the station, and her love for helicopter rides. She was a dog who enjoyed the company of other people.

Debris was dedicated to her work, and she showed that very well.

There’d been times when she’d get ready to leave for the scene without her handler. This was a dog who didn’t like waiting around. I suppose that’s what made her the perfect rescue dog.

On one occasion, Debris even hopped into the helicopter before her handler did.

I don’t think she planned to fly it herself, but her determination to rescue people definitely shone there.

And unsurprisingly for a German Shepherd, Debris also adored being around kids. She helped collect donations for the Burn Institute, during the “Boot Drive Collecting Donations”.

She paraded through numerous people with empty boots dangling from her harness.

The people would toss donations into the boots, and children enjoyed participating the most. Debris, likewise, enjoyed the response from the children.

Though Debris was determined and energetic, she wasn’t invincible. She suffered a back injury while at the scene of a fire in 2018, forcing her into retirement.

Her handler Steve Johnson misses her a great deal, and so does everyone who worked with her. Some dogs just leave pawprints on your heart like that, and Debris was one of those dogs.

Through all those fires, sirens, helicopter rides, and moments of peace, she was a bright and precious dog.

She spent numerous Christmases, New Years, Thanksgivings, Valentine’s, and birthdays with Steve and those around her.

Debris can rest now. I’d bet she was proud to have helped so many people and to have given them so many others a reason to smile.

Steve wrote her bittersweet and heartfelt memorial post. In it, he attached photos of some memories with Debris.

Her huge paws, greyish fur, pointy ears, and forehead spot will be missed.

But such is the reality of having a dog. It’s a bittersweet moment that we’ll all have to experience. Rest in peace, Debris. You were a very good girl, and doggy heaven probably welcomed you with open paws.

Read Steve’s original post down below.

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Source: Foothills K9s on Facebook