I said yes against the rules. I knew the little mini was a seriously serious senior and I should have set up SOS sponsors first but I did not ask for them.  I said yes knowing our medical funds were low yet I did not ask for medical sponsors. I said yes when everything that is logical and correct and our process, a process I set up, said say no.  You don’t have the support.  We do what we do only because of all of you.

There is a sign above my desk that says that the best non profits have analytical minds and warm hearts. I read it every day and I believe it. It was not the analytical mind that said yes to Bandit. It was the warm heart. Or so I thought.

I get presented with senior dogs every week that I know we can not help. CPR does a good job with seniors but no one organization can help every dog at every moment in time. Bandit’s timing was really bad.

But I said yes, feeling very right about bringing him here.  It was an easy decision and I felt very at peace about making it. I did not realize why until he actually got here and then it struck me.

I brought Bandit here to die. His emancipated body was hunched over with arthritis. Every bone in his spine stuck through the fragile skin. The spine itself was bowed almost in a U. His eyes were full of thick, black debris. He tottered on unsteady legs that seemed as snappable as match sticks. And his breath. It smelled like a sewer long untreated. Rancid. Nasty. In short, he was a classic example of a severely neglected dog for whom things had gone too far. Whether it was kidney failure, congestive heart failure or simply old age, I realized the analytical part of my mind had kicked in after all. My instincts were saying that there was very little that could be done medically for this dog – but I did not want him to die in the shelter. I wanted him to pass surrounded by people who he didn’t know well but who could love him even though we had just met. After all, as my husband often jokes, Poodles R Us.

Bandit and a very competent veterinarian had other plans. Much to my surprise, Bandit did not pass peacefully upon arrival at the poodle farm. The vet did not recommend we let him go to the Bridge to find peace.  He went in for a routine checkup and next thing I know instead of being so far gone nothing could be done, it turned out the little guy healthy kidneys and liver and other than a near septic condition from infection from rotten teeth, he was not that bad of. He had a heart murmur but an otherwise strongly beating heart.

And he had a will to live that was unshakable.

Two dentals later and Bandit doesn’t have a tooth left in his head. But he happily chomps down on his mixture of soaked dry food, canned food, meaty Bil Jac and whatever leftovers his daytime caregiver, Tara, slips him out of her lunch. He’s hungry.

He’s hungry for more than food. On old man legs but with a puppy dog heart, Bandit actively seeks out attention and asks for all the love and all the cuddles.  When he’s not pestering his caregivers for hugs, he can often be found soaking up the sun.  He loves the feel of warm summer rays bathing his body.  In short, he’s living his life thank you.  Maybe he can’t run with the youngsters, but he loves hanging out on the porch.

So it’s time to ask.  I am not sorry I broke the rules.  It was the right decision to make.  Can you back me up?  Can you join Bandit’s family of supporters?  Will you give the little guy his summer in the sun?  It could easily be his last one so let’s make it a good one.  Bandit can finally eat well again now that his dentals are done.  $20 per month means Bandit stays in canned food, meaty Bil Jac, sacks of pupperoni and lots of hugs.

We are seeking 12 sponsors to welcome Bandit into our SOS program.  To sponsor Bandit or any of our wonderful SOS dogs, please visit our webpage at http://carolinapoodlerescue.org/sponsor-a-dog/.  Bandit thanks you.