On Being a Fur Angel

My friend Gibby sent me these beautiful words today:

"All we know of what they do above, is that they are happy, and that they love..."
Author Unknown

10-8-06

"Not the least hard thing to bear when
they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so
many years of our lives. Yet, if they
find warmth therein, who would
begrudge them those years that they
have so guarded?
And whatever they take,
be sure they have deserved."

--- John Galsworthy ---

Bandit is a Fur Angel...

Hi everyone, I am Bandit's sister Hayley and I am writing this for my brother Bandit.

It was just about seven weeks ago that I asked my Dogster and Catster friends to pray for my brother Bandit. Well I just wanted to thank everyone for the prayers and let you know that they worked! My brother was very very sick seven weeks ago. He wasn’t eating and barely moving. Although he is an angel doggie now, with the help of your prayers we were able to have a wonderful last six weeks together. We got to doggie beach one more time, we got to go on a night bunny chase one more time, and we had several great neighborhood walks together. His appetite was great too, he kept us laughing with his many attempts to steal food. He was really happy, unlike when he first got sick... so most of all your prayers gave us wonderful memories of my brother’s last weeks, memories that fill our hearts with joy instead of sadness. You can see it the picture on his page, taken just about a week ago.

My brother Bandit was a lover! He would melt everyone’s hearts with his big brown eyes. Even though I was younger and smaller I had to protect him from everything. I tried hard to protect him from cancer but I couldn’t. Bandit died peacefully in his sleep just after midnight on October 8, 2006.

Bandit would not want anyone to be sad. He has had such a great life filled with lots of love and doggie adventures! And our first Daddy, the one who rescued him, was already in heaven so now they are together again. So please instead of feeling sad or crying, celebrate my brother’s life...go on a nice hike, play with some squeaky and fuzzy toys, fetch some sticks, eat some peanut butter kongs, go for a swim, chew on some chewbones and most of all share lots of hugs and kisses with your Mom and Dad!

One more thing, my Mom and Dad wanted me to write a huge thank you for all the love and support they have received from the Dogster and Catster Community and especially the 10 and Over group. My Mom put us on Dogster just for fun, and my brother got sick a couple of weeks later. When we reached out to you all, you were there for us. People and pets that didn’t even know us before sent us love and prayers from all over the world. We always had faith that all the animals were good souls, but you all have renewed our faith in humans too.

We love each and every one of you,
Hayley, Laura & Eric

I Guess I Have to...

...write this diary entry. I have been putting it off since Sunday. I was doing soo good last week, as you could tell by my last entry, and the picture on top of my page, that was taken only one week ago!
On Sunday night I got really weak in my legs. I can barely walk or even stand for that matter, unless Mom or Dad are helping me. I went to the Doggie Doctor on Monday, they gave me IV fluids and anitbiotics and sent me home. Here it is Thursday and I am still very weak. Right now my Doggie Doctor says the cancer could be in my spine or I could just have an age related condition. I still have a good appetite still so I have been getting spoiled! I had Italian Sausages for lunch! And steak for dinner!
In any event, unless there is a miracle and I get up and start walking again, it looks like I will be headed to the rainbow bridge soon.
When I first got sick my Dad had a goal...one more camping trip with the "old dude" (that's me). So tonight Dad is setting up the tent in the living room and Dad, Mom and Hayley and I are camping out all weekend! Hooray!

I want to thank everyone who sent me rosettes and well wishing p-mails today...it really makes me feel so much better. And I want to thank Roxanne for the blimp ride earlier in the week...she took me all the way to France! And Rio , Baby and Simba for lighting candles. And the Over 10 Gang for the Power of the Paw circle of love.

I Love You all,
Bandit

#4 and the Power of the Paw!

This week I had my fourth treatment and I am doing better than ever! I could not do it without some help from my friends so I have to give thanks to:

Pan and Bernie (not on Dogster but they should be) for the pawsitive thoughts and the yummy treats!
Giddy and Taffy (not on Catster but they should be) for the good wishes and the Omega-3 treats!
Willie and his Mommy for the love, friendship, treats and toys!
Mamie for the love, friendship, more pawsitive thoughts and her Mommy for lighting a candle for me all the way from France!
Jazzi and Sissy and their Mommy for even more pawsitive thoughts, love and comforting words!
Austin for being the best battle partner ever and his Mommy for all her support!
King Mike for making me laugh and keeping me smiling with all the snoop dog antics! (And for being a great friend to my sister Hayley )
Roxanne for love and support and being the best spirtual prom date ever!
Lyle for being a great friend and helping me and my pack so much!
Little Bit for the education and inspiration to help me in fighting the evil C!
Rio for being such a great friend and chanting partner!
Katie-Did-It for her love, support and friendship!
The N'walins Gang for all their pawesome support...you guys rock!
All the 10 and Over Pups and Kitties for more love and support and the Power of the Paw!
All the Squeaky and Fuzzies for making me laugh! You guys are the best!
Everyone that has given me rosettes and bones ovet the past month, you all rock!

Love you All!
Bandit

Three Down!

WoooHooo! I had my third chemo treatment yesterday and it went very well. The vet office was super busy so I had to stay there awhile, but that's OK because I got lots of treats from the techs and my vet even gave me a bite of her lunch...fish sandwich YUMMY!

When Mom came to get me I was so happy to go home that I actually jogged to the truck! Mom couldn't believe her eyes, I haven't done any sort of running since I got sick.

At home I was up to my old shenanigans. I am still hungry even after I eat all my dinner, so of course, when no one was looking I tried to steal the pizza box off the table. My sister Hayley was rooting for me and keeping an eye out for Mom and Dad. Then Dad came in the kitchen and I was busted! I gave him "the look" and managed at least to get a nibble of sausage. Maybe next time!

Feelin' Allright!!!

Today I feel really really good. I finally got to have my second chemo treatment yesterday after a bit of a delay. I am a happy boy. This morning my Dad took me out for a walk and I even tried to play chase with Stubby the cat. He ran up a tree though. I haven't learned to climb trees yet but I am working on it!

My sister Hayley can almost climb trees. She is a Cattledog and I am sure I have said it before...those Cattledogs are nuts! Once she jumped up high and pulled a possum right out of a tree, shook it around like crazy and spit it out. My Mom went inside to get my Dad to move the "dead" possum but when they came back outside the possum was gone...he was just playing possum!

SPAM!

Food food food! Spam Spam Spam! Chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, Strawberry Blizzards! Turkey! Steak, steak and more steak! Rawhides! Pizza! Food, food and more food! Bacon! Cheese! Liverwurst! More Spam!

Did I mention that I am hungry? The "hungry maker pill" seems to be really kicking in the last couple of days. I seem to have forgotten a lot of rules...last night I stole some pizza right off my Dad's plate, and this morning I attempted to steal a whole bag of bagels off the kitchen counter. (Got busted).

So when my pal Peanutty made me the new awesome Spam picture, well it couldn't have been more appropriate. I am sure it will aid in my campaign to make Spam the #1 Vet recommended anti-cancer food! Oh yeah, and my pal Simba gave me a new nickname; "Spamdit"!

I would like to write more but I am hungry and I just heard the refrigerator door open!

8-28-06 A Good Day!

Today was my first day of treatment. I am on something called the Wisconsin Protocol, I really don't know what that means but I think Wisconsin is famous for cheese and I love cheese so it sounds good to me!

My Mom is always looking for signs so I gave her a good one today...I jumped in the truck and was actually looking forward to going to the Vet. Now that I am home and I had my first treatment I feel like a different dog. My eyes are bright, tails a waggin' and I am giving out slobbery kisses to anyone that wants 'em!

The main resaon why I did good is because I know two of my sweet girls from the Bridge were holding my paws today, Little Bit and Roxanne, they helped me be brave! I am also blessed with the Power of the Paw from the "10 an over Pups and Kitties". Hooray for me!

8-27-06

I had a rough day today...

This morning my Mom, Dad, my sister Hayley and I went to Doggie Beach in San Diego. This is my first day back to Doggie Beach since I have been sick, and Mom and Dad thought I was up to it beacuse that Prednisone has been making me feel soooo good lately. Well I really enjoyed the truck ride but by the time I got to the ocean I was sooo tired, I was having trouble walking, so I just laid in the cool wet sand. My Mom stayed with me while my Dad and my crazy sister Hayley went body surfing in the ocean waves. Those Cattle Dogs are nuts! Hayley is 11 but when she sees a tennis ball it's like she magically turns into a puppy again! It sure was fun to watch her though, and I still managed to make a lot of new dog friends cuz a lot of pups came and said Hi to me.

When I got home I found out about my pup pal Little Bit going to the Rainbow Bridge. My pack and I took the news really hard. We love you Little Bit!

I am supposed to start my treatment tomorrow but my Mom is taking me to a specialist first, especially because I was having walking troubles and that has never happened to me before. Wish me luck!