Bandit's Story

Bandit joined us on Shaun's 17th birthday. The "guys" were all getting their haircut and I was irresistibly drawn to the pet shop two doors down. There was a local puppy (looked too much like a dog we had to have euthanized did when he was a puppy) who had just been dropped off (with his brother). (Yes, I know it was wrong now even though this pet store only handles local puppies, but had barely heard of puppy mills then! )

Obviously they were someone's backyard mistake and the owners were hoping to find homes for them by giving them to the pet store. He was extremely submissive and shy and very traumatized by being left in such a cold unloving place!

We were told he was a Golden, Lab Cross but that is doubtful as when he reached his full size he only weighed 35 pounds. We couldn't leave him there and ached for his poor brother. (I never was brave enough to go back to see if his brother was adopted, as I was so afraid of what I would find.) It is so hard to not want to rescue all the poor animals in pet stores though we know the only way to stop the puppy mills is for everyone to boycott shops who buy puppies from brokers. If the puppies sell the trade will continue!

Bandit attached to me and is almost inseparable now, even asking to go in the car whenever I run to the store. Bandit was born on May 27^th, 1998 and was barely 7 weeks old when we got him (too young to leave his mom!). Bandit is our youngest, joining Sparky, Rascal, and Snoopy. He is totally oblivious to rain and didn't let Hurricane Bonnie stop him from his appointed rounds in the yard to do his "business" even though he was only 4 months old! He loves playing tag or wrestle in the pond with his friend, Snoopy. It's fun when "your people" have to towel you off so you can come inside (especially when it's the 3rd or 4th time that day). Bandit has learned that the vacuum cleaner feels good and lets us use the vacuum brush on him. This is his one true braveness! (He is also good about the blow dryer after his bath.)

June 24, 1999 Bandit earned his Canine Good Citizen award from the American Kennel Club (AKC). Good work, Bandit!

Bandit loves to carry things in his mouth and brings everything to me.

He is learning to even carry paper without making it soggy or tearing it!