Deb Baird set the rhythm of the neighborhood in which I live, a neighborhood that is struggling after her unexpected death Wednesday at the age of 49.
I am guessing that Deb probably knew just about everybody; she was a friendly, lovely person who also helped organize the annual neighborhood events. People in the area who may not have known her by name would instantly recognize her as the woman who walked her dogs multiple times a day, no matter the weather; neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night kept Deb and her dogs from their frequent rounds.
The luckiest dogs in the neighborhood — heck, the luckiest dogs in the world — are Deb’s. Her email address — dogzrule@ — said it all. I remain convinced that Deb was a magical canine whisperer.
When my sweet dog Ted died not quite a year ago, I wrote about him and his intense anxiety issues, and how, despite his fear of thunder and fireworks and loud noises, he had appointed himself our patroller-in-chief, keeping close watch over his territory and warning everyone away with a loud and noisy vengeance. (Ted’s bark made up for the fact that he had no bite.)
“When we were in the yard, I’d find myself apologizing to anyone walking by…,” I wrote. “One nice neighbor reminded me that Ted was ‘just doing his job.’”
That nice neighbor was Deb, and those few kind words from the woman with the best-behaved dogs in the world meant a lot.
Neighborhoods are kind of like pieces of clothing, each fashioned out of whatever lands in its midst. Sometimes, the pieces don’t fit all that well; but sometimes, when they do, the result is like a favorite old sweater, woven from an eclectic assortment of threads and yarn, held together by a combination of buttons and zippers and snaps, sporting a fit both cozy and forgiving.
That’s been my neighborhood for these past 30-some years. When we first moved here, we were literally the new kids on the block; today, we are the old farts on the porch. Lots of newer new kids on the block have moved in since then, and some — like Deb — have forged lovely, deep friendships with each other.
And this neighborhood is so much better for Deb having been such a big part of it.
You can read Deb’s lovely obituary by clicking here.
Deb was the kind of friend we all hope to have in our lives. Sweet, generous, loving and always positive. Her passing seems almost surreal. I still cannot get my head around it. She was the absolute best of us- and she will missed so very very much.
Debbie and Scot were our across the street neighbors when we bought our first house. Our kids grew up calling their names, or at least what they could pronounce, “Bee & Dot” from their bedroom windows and our front porch. Never once were they ignored, yet always greeted with a wave, smile or a treat. Lots of memories and laughs over the years! Debbie’s smile and huge heart will forever be missed, it still doesn’t seem real.
Maria,
This was such a touching article about an awesome woman. I am Scot’s Mom and though legally she was my DIL, she always felt more like my daughter. Her passing has left so many family and friends devastated; but luckily, she also left us with wonderful memories to hold dear.
Mary Jane Dawson
Thank you for writing this touching article. She was such a special person and affected so many people. I can’t believe she is gone. She was my person and I am not sure what anything looks like without her. I am comforted by all the people thinking of her, loving her, and sharing their memories of her. Thank you again for this piece and being such a beautiful caring person.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. My husband and I were lucky to have known Deb. She and Scot grew to be great friends pretty much as soon as they began keeping a boat on Portage Lake back in the day. The glory days. Things seemed so much simpler then. We spent many quiet weekend afternoons with our boat tied up to theirs just talking, laughing and swimming. Then, slowly, the responsibilities, the pandemic, the reasons…whatever they were kept us apart more than together. They were the friends that you could just pick right back up where you left off and be so happy to see. A few weeks back Deb invited us for a small gathering and I wish we could have made it. We’re hosting a wedding at our house and landscaping duties ruled that day and left us too whooped to go. Regrets. I’m praying for Scot and their family. I’ve been in shock for a week. Some things truly just don’t seem fair.