Goodbye, old freind

[JungleJim]

Last week our dog Bandit let us know it was time, one day he just stopped eating. We offered him some salmon and rice which he did eat. His spirit was still good and he wasn't in pain so we decided to take a couple of days and say our goodbyes. We sat in the shade, loooking out over the lake and watching the ducks, he loved chasing them in his younger days. every now and them he would lick our hands as if to say it's OK. Even on the day when we took him to the vet he licked her hand just before she gave him the injection, he was a very loving dog. It was difficult but we held him as he took his last breaths, I wanted to be with him to the end.

From the day, 10/30/92 that I picked him from Broward Animal Control he had given us love, companionship, many laughs and now some tears. That was easily the best $50.00 I ever spent.

Some people would be intimidated by his size, 90+ lbs, but he was a gentle soul that loved people and other animals. The neighborhood kids loved him, they would come running up when they saw us out walking him. He seemed to love them too, even though he outweighed most of them he was very careful when palying with them. When he played with me he knew he could be rougher then with small kids or other dogs. As his hips got worse he couldn't do his favorite activity, play ball but I did take him to the swim park a couple of more times so he could go for a swim- his other favorite thing to do. Sometimes I would watch him when he was dreaming, as I watched his legs thrashing I hoped he was dreaming of playing ball with me again. Hopefully he is playing ball now and waiting for when we meet again.
We will miss him

[Toad]

Sorry for your loss Jim. If he could read, he would be very happy with your words.

[billuscher]

I feel so sorry for Bandit. It is a heartbreaking thing to put a dog down, but it is the right thing to do. In my life I have had to put down 5 Dogs, I still think about all of them. You were a good master.

[billuscher]

I can remember Bandit taking a long ride with us through the Big Cypress. He was a great dog.

[Tubby]

JJ sorry for your loss, here's something to think about.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor,
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole again, just as we remember them in our dreams of the days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

His eager body begins to quiver.

Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs caring him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never again to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together…….

Author unknown

[Best Teach]

JungleJim, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved companion. How lucky you were to have found each other and to have spent all these years together. Your post was heartwarming and brought me to tears.

[Donna]

JJ, so sorry to hear of your loss. The day we have to say goodbye to our companions is a thing we all dread.

[jzt]

I'm very sorry that you have lost your beloved and loyal friend. Most of us have been through it and it is very tough. I'm glad you got many wonderful years with him though.

[JungleJim]

Most of us have been through it and it is very tough. I'm glad you got many wonderful years with him though.

It is hard but like you said the years of happiness they give makes up for the sadness when they have to go.

Thanks everyone

[JungleJim]

I can remember Bandit taking a long ride with us through the Big Cypress. He was a great dog.

Acutally, that was Samson that came for that ride. Bandit, while he was pretty well trained, would be a little too headstrong at times when it came to wildlife to take somewhere like that. Once, when he was a semi-pup he started into a canal after a small gator (4ft). Luckily I had a ball and that redirected his attention or else things could have went very badly. I really didn't want to jump into the canal and get in the middle of that.


Samson:

[dianepmny]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It's nice to know that he gave you so many years of happy times.

He was beautiful, by the way!