My 12 year old had to choose poems that interested him and then do an abstract on them. He was so sweet and couldn't even get through reading this to me without crying...I asked him how he was going to be able to do this in class and he said that maybe would help his grade
.
Of course I boo hooed.

I chose dogs because of my past experiences with dogs. How they can cheer you up or be sad with you. How they will be your loyal partner no matter what the expense. I love watching dogs, especially at the dog park. It’s fun to identify how smaller the dog, the bigger the ego or inside strength.

My past dog, Bandido, was the most loyal dog ever. When you would even turn the key for the front door, you could hear him running as fast as he could to greet you. During his last few weeks, despite the pain his will to live was as much his desire to please even in his poor medical condition and past medical emergencies. Even on his last day, he made no fuss and got in his crate for the last trip to the vet…still eager to please.

My present dog Poochy is always so energetic and mischieveous. She pulls me on my scooter like a sled dog. Although sometimes a pain, she makes up for it in entertainment value. For example she buries Taquitos from Whataburger and kibble bits in the backyard and she buries Milkbones in the couch and in the pillows on our beds. She also eats pancakes and green beans, but not at the same time. We do feed her Science Diet, but she likes the other stuff better. She ate five pairs of my mom’s shoes one night and icicles off the patio furniture. When it was snowing hard, I took her for a walk and she had snowdrifts on her eyebrows.

I love Poochy and Bandido, just differently. Just like humans, there are different types. Some dogs are funny. Some dogs are loyal. Some dogs are mean. Some dogs are dumb. You will always have a friend if you have a dog.

aa
.
Julie...That is just the sweetest thing i have read in a long time!!!
How precious!!
I even got teary eyed when i read about the doggie having to go into the crate on his last day...
.

Sounds like you have a very smart boy there with some excellent writing skills!!
Also sounds like he luvs his best friend poochy
.

Thanks for sharing that with us...
.

<----hands julie a box of super size kleenex


.

Thanks you guys. Bandido was a special dog. He was a Papillon and so loyal. I never thought I would fall in love with a dog so much, but he was just perfect. Somehow he injured his back. By the time we found him, his back legs were paralyzed. We went to a neurologist who basically told us the surgery was about 4,000 bucks with really a 20 percent chance. I didn't have 4K and 20 percent wasn't good odds. We asked them to keep him alive long enough for me to go get Robert at camp. The next day Bandido had recovered enough that they felt he could come home, but basically be crated and moved as little as possible.

Honestly we should have let him go then. He never fully recovered and was in serious pain. He did not like being crated so I carried him everywhere. Finally, we decided to have him put down, because he wasn't getting any better and the steroids and pain meds just weren't helping. Before I took the boys to school, I laid his travel crate in front of his crate so that he could maneuver on his own into it (and take his time while I was gone) because at that point, you couldn't even touch the poor thing without him crying in pain. He got right up and walked into the crate and laid down whereas any other time he became a raving mad dog at the thought of going to the vet. I took the boys to school and then went home and got him. I cried so hard all the way to the vet. I cried so hard at the vet that I had the receptionist crying and all the customers waiting. When she came to get him...I kissed him and told him to go home and jump in Jesus' arms. Pitiful little baby.


.

A
.
he got a 90 on it!

Oh, how could I have missed this charming thread! what a great story, what a great kid! Course I am nutty about dogs and little boys.
.

Awwww (((hugs)))

Alfe said it all.
The boys are beautiful and my heart feels so much for their loss and yours Julie. It is hard to lose a little furbaby family member. Have you gone to the Rainbow Bridge site? It is so comforting.
.