Bandit

I still remember the day that my son, Aaron, who worked at a nursing facility, came home from lunch bringing a leashed Bandit home to stay. His son, Ammon had been wishing for a dog, and, Bandit had been a companion dog for one of the recently deceased residents of the facility.

Bandit had the appearance of an aggressive, no-nonsense dog, not to be fooled with; but he was anything but that. He did bark ferociously at intruders (anyone who came through the door), but that was never backed up. He was shy and scared and timid. He became a beloved family dog, welcoming in another 3 kids, besides the two already there.

He loved being a part of the family and expected to be treated as one of the kids, including having McDonald’s cheesburgers, even if he had to steal one. And so it was sad to see his physical decline in the last few weeks and months, finally sucumbing to death last week.

So, here’s to Bandit and all the love our pets freely give us.

Bandit joined our family; a nursing dog, kind and true.
He loved each member from Abe to Allie, and me and you.
Bandit served us in kindness, in his own loving way.
We know God has a special place where souls like Bandit play.

Aaron learned from nursing, how to love each passing soul.
He comforted and helped Bandit to join God's forever show.
Your Dad gave you precious moments to share with a dear friend,
Through Bandit's last days here on earth, with his dear ones, to the end.

We feel for your great loss of this dear loving soul.
His memory will live in us where ever we may go,
Until that day, we met again, somewhere beyond life's trail,
And run and play with our dear friend, somewhere beyond the veil.