Bandit was rescued at the age of 1 ½ years thanks to the kindness of John Joseph Carey and Blanche Carey, my parents, who deserve a tribute for welcoming any cat or dog into their home. My childhood was filled with pets and laughter. Bandit’s early life was spent chained in a backyard with a low fence being teased by children going to and from school. One day he got loose and ran through the house, out the front door, and to the sidewalk, where he bit a child. My parents owned his sister, Bubbles, and upon hearing he was scheduled to be put down, took him in. At first, he spent his time laying in a corner near the front door and my dad’s chair. It was about a year before he learned how to play. His true character can be revealed as follows:
The Kitten – Shortly after he came to us, a litter of kittens just learning to walk were taken out of their box and put on the living room floor where they were milling around in a small group. Friends were over and eventually we lost track of a kitten. Bandit was laying in his corner and suddenly he jumped to his feet and trotted into the kitchen and we saw him heading right for a kitten. We held our breath as he scooped up the kitten in his huge mouth which he left partly open and holding his head right near the floor, slowing walked back to the living room and dropped the kitten off with the others. The kitten shook itself off and Bandit walked back to his corner to lay down.
The Intruder – One evening Bandit did not return to the house after he was let out to the backyard to do his business at bedtime. My dad went in search of him and related that Bandit had backed a man up against the back fence. Bandit was standing with his head about an inch away from the man’s chest looking straight up into his face. The man was so happy to see my dad saying he had been there what felt like an hour.
Bubbles – Bubbles, the house alpha, was Bandit’s reason for living. Bandit loved Bubbles’ puppies, licking them when they were tiny, letting them climb on him as they got older and playing with them once they got bigger. Bandit was close enough to the AKC standard that he did well at dog shows. Bubbles did not have the physical attributes to win, but she loved the showing off in the ring and so she would be entered for fun sometimes. When it was Bubbles’ turn to pace around the ring alone, Bandit would stand up, wag his long tail in a big circle and bark a big “Woof!” every few seconds, drawing the attention and applause of many around the ring.
Again, thanks to my parents, this wonderful dog was able to live the remainder of his life with love and security.
RIVERSIDE, CA
