Bishop Woolley

Bishop Woolley, of Hagerstown, Indiana, beloved Boxer of Dawn and Ronnie Woolley, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. 

Bishop’s start in life was not the greatest. He was treated as if he were forgotten, unloved, and unwanted. This beautiful boy was rescued from his previous owners, who severely neglected Bishop to the point where he nearly starved to death. Dawn and Ronnie saw this boxer, nothing but skin and bones, and decided to give him a chance. In May of 2019, Bishop’s whole world changed. Dawn and Ronnie adopted him, and he finally was able to find a forever home with people who loved and cared about him. Dawn and Ronnie were wonderful caregivers for Bishop, providing not only love, care, and a place to call home but also the patience and understanding that it took for Bishop to trust again. Bishop’s personality was extremely cautious, but Dawn earned Bishop’s trust right away. Unfortunately, Ronnie had to work harder to earn Bishop’s trust, and the process moved at a much slower pace. Dawn shared that one of her favorite memories of Bishop was “the first time he ever gave Ronnie a kiss, because he was abused previously, and it took him two years to get to the point of trusting anyone except me.” 

After all of the trauma and pain Bishop suffered, he still was an extremely loyal, protective, and loving boy. He eventually relaxed enough to let his goofy, silly personality shine through, walking around with his tongue dangling out, spinning around and around in circles when he was excited. He was a funny boy who would fall asleep looking out the window. Dawn relayed, “His face would be pressed up against the glass and kind squished there while he snored, and sometimes he would lift his head up and the curtain would be draped on his head, and we would call him “Old Mother Woolley." He would also follow them into the bathroom to get booty scratchings’. Bishop wasn’t a fan of bath time. He really didn’t like going on car rides, maybe because he remembered it was the car that delivered him from that place that wasn’t so kind to him before. Bishop was such a character. Bishop liked treats of any kind, especially cookies and cheese. Dawn shared, “We "pay" each pup a bit of cheese when we are eating cheese, and we call it the cheese tax.” Bishop also liked his daily snooze sessions. What Bishop valued most was his family. Dawn and Ronnie showed Bishop what it was like to have a family who loved him. 

Bishop, who was also lovingly known as "Stubby, Bubby, Derp Derp, Moon Moon, and "Omg, Bishop, was that YOU?! Phew!" was able to experience the joy of being adored and being a part of a family. Dawn said that Bishop was “the best boy.”

In addition to Dawn and Ronnie, left to cherish Bishop’s sweet memory are his fur siblings: his big sister, Ripley, and little brother, Bruiser. 

 Arrangements have been entrusted to Always & Furever In Our Hearts Pet Cremation in association with Liming Family Funeral Home, located in Shirley, Indiana. We are honored to serve the family of Bishop Woolley.. 

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