Bandit

Sun, Mar 18, 2007 — Tue, Aug 20, 2019

My Muttzerella,

We got you as a family dog but the family will not deny that you were more my dog. A smart, noisy puppy who could get out of the cage no matter what we did, who’s birthday was the day before mine and who sometimes acted more like a worm than a dog.

I spent countless hours with you. Teaching you to sit, stay, shake a paw and even sit before crossing the road. Which to my surprise you practiced when you CLIMBED the chain link fence and went off on your own adventures.

When my boyfriend died 7 years ago I was lost and completely broken. You would play a huge role in my comeback. You knew me better than I knew myself. I had my friends and family. But it was you I had at 4am when the world was dark and I’d break down. You’d stay by my side, comforting me until the shaking sobs stopped. The good times and the bad times you were there with unwavering love. You saved me.

When we lost Ruckus last summer, your partner in crime, I saw a sadness in you I’ve never seen before. I took you to the beach more often, stayed with you longer, gave you extra treats and extra love. I tried my best to do for you what you did for me when I was grieving.

Bandit, we knew we didn’t have much time. Things went from good to bad to worse in such a short period of time. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. But if I couldn’t fix you, I couldn’t let you suffer.
Although you were quiet on our last adventure I know you loved it, especially the wind in your fur while in the truck. Believe it or not we took you to TWO different beaches that day, thankfully there were no swans for you to chase. However, if you had jumped up, full of life and ran full tilt towards one that day, I wouldn’t have stopped you. The weather was absolutely amazing and laying with you in the grass all day was perfect. But I could see it in your eyes, you were ready and I was not.

I stayed with you until the very end. I laid in front of you and told you how amazing you are and how much I love you. I rubbed your head and played with your ears. You were treated with nothing but love and compassion as you had been your whole life.

To the dog with too many nicknames, thank you for coming into our lives and being the best damn dog ever. Thank you for saving me in ways you may not even know. I hope you’re playing in the many fields above with Ruckus, I know Brad will take care of you. My heart dog, I love you.