Farewell one more :( Remembering Bandit

[rottie girl]

I’m not here on the website often, although I used to frequent here when my 3 rotties were younger. Now it seems my only posts are those of sadness.

It’s been almost a year and for some reason I just haven’t been able to share this with many, I can’t explain why. Maybe because for so long it was so difficult to talk about.

Bandit was my first Rottie and throughout his life he was always healthy. As he aged, he still looked younger than his 11 years and although he couldn’t perform the 5 feet leaps like he used to, his zest for life was strong... until the weekend of July 24th, 2005.

I thought perhaps he just wasn't feeling well. A question of "are ya hungry" no longer proceeded in a race to the food bowl. As I moved from room to room, I had no follower. He took permanent residency in his dog bed, and that just wasn’t like him. While I could convince him to get up for a bit, he showed stiffness in his hind legs.

I was worried. I knew this feeling, I felt it 2 years prior with Princess, and I realize how quickly life can change.

On the Monday I rushed home from work eager to see how Bandit was. He hadn’t eaten much of his dinner the night prior… and again, he had no interest to eat or drink, not even a treat. He did take one of Brandi’s pain killers but rather than the usual chewing, he swallowed it whole as if to say, “if it will make me feel better, then fine.”

I gave him some ear scratches, a massage and butt rubs, mostly trying to feel for any sensitive spots, but he showed no reaction or emotion. He seemed so sad.

I wished there was something I could have done to make him feel better. I felt bad that I had made commitments for the evening however my room mate was home to keep watch on him and me being at his side did nothing, for either of us.

I returned later, parked in the garage and dashed in the house to see how he was, but he wasn’t to be found. After a quick search I headed back in the garage to see him on his blanket resting in the corner. How could I have missed him in there? Normally he would have greeted me the moment I stepped from the truck and now, at the call of his name I still didn’t get a head lift.

After some coaxing, he agreed to come indoors. His walking was disorientated, his rear legs kind of crisscrossing, a stumbling drunken walk. Once inside he just stood, almost confused, not knowing what to do. I offered to help him up to his bed, but he made no effort to move so I brought his bed to him and got him settled on it. Again, he didn’t want any food or water, but I was happy to get him to munch down 2 milk bones.

I don’t think he moved all night and Tuesday morning was a challenge. I suggested a “truck ride” but he didn’t stir. A tug on the collar did nothing. He was like dead weight. It appears he couldn’t get up on his own so I wrapped my arms around his belly to lift him up. Once standing, he could walk, just not very steady or straight. I was so scared, the similarities to what I experienced with Princess were striking.

Once I got him in the truck, I headed straight to Bow Bottom Vet clinic to see Dr. Julie.

Arriving at the clinic she immediately checked his heart, ears, temperature and prostate, it was a full physical exam for the poor boy. His right hip seemed to be an area of some pain. She took urine and blood and began analysis. Preliminary results detected:

• Bacterial Rods (infection) in his urine which will need to be treated by antibiotics.
• Elevated white blood cell count
• Lower than normal red cell count
• Also his thyroid level is a little low.

Perhaps the above was affecting the legs malfunctioning, but my gut told me something else was going on back there. I agreed to sedate him and do an x-ray to see if anything else could be determined. He spent the day at the clinic.

Wednesday was no improvement although I had found I could get him to eat liver bits, at least it was something. He still wouldn't drink much tho.

Thursday July 28th he seemed to be getting worse. Around 10am, I took Bandit into work with me. I couldn’t take the day off as it was month end and I couldn’t leave him alone at home.

I spoke with Dr. Julie in the morning. His x-rays showed clear, his bones looked ok. From what they could see his organs didn’t show anything abnormal. I decided we should send the blood collected yesterday away for a hypothyroidism test. I was grasping to find out if whatever was ailing him could be treated.

In his bed, next to my desk chair, he lay. His breathing was intense; he was panting heavily and couldn’t rest at all. He would lift his head for a short while then drop it down as though he was exhausted. I offered to share my sandwich with him but not even the cheese or turkey would be taken.
I couldn’t watch him like this. I didn’t feel he was in severe pain but he was certainly uncomfortable. I knew in my heart that our time together was near a close, that the decision was mine and he trusted me to make the right one. I planned to finish my day at the office and then do what was best for him.

At about 3:30pm he got up from his bed next to me and took a couple steps and collapsed. When I tried to help him up on his hind legs, he didn't lift at all, his chest and head were slumped to the floor. His body felt chilled. I knew it was time.

I called the clinic and said I was bringing him immediately.

My friend Laurie helped me get him on his bed and we carried him to the back of my truck. He didn’t struggle, he looked at us with kindness and desperation in his big brown eyes. I ran back into the office to get my things and when I returned outside miraculously he was standing up in the back of the truck. Laurie said when I walked away he stood up to look for me and upon my return he slumped back down.

It was about 20 minutes before I backed up to the clinic doors. Two gentlemen rushed out with a blanket to carry him in. They placed him on the examining table and began listening to his heart. Dr. Julie took his temperature and looked in his mouth and eyes. It was time, she agreed. She told me we could take him to a special room but I declined, I didn’t want to move him. She left the room to prepare.

Not more than 2-3 minutes had passed since we arrived. As I held him and petted him softly, telling him I loved him and that he was such a good boy, he suddenly took a gasp of breath. The assistant still with the stethoscope to his heart, looked at me and said “I’m sorry, he’s no longer with us.” Bandit gasped a couple more times as though he was trying to breathe again but I was told that was involuntary and normal of an animal passing. I looked into his eyes and knew he was gone.

Dr. Julie believes he had been slipping in and out of consciousness on the way to the clinic. I truly feel that he struggled to stay alive until we arrived and when he knew that we were both ready to say goodbye, he did so on his own, so that I would never doubt that there was more I could have done.
That is the close bond we carried. I was once told by a spiritual woman that “he is yours and you are his” and I couldn’t agree more.

Rest easy best buddy. I'm sure Princess eagerly welcomed you at the Rainbow Bridge with a wagging stump, a wiggling butt and an abundance of kisses. Love to both of you, you are forever in my heart.

Bandito
Jan 6, 1994 - July 28, 2005
Thank you for teaching me all that you did.

[MontanaRott]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[AMoJoLover]

I'm so sorry, i'm sure Bandit had a wonderful life with you!

Run sweet Bandit, and keep watch!

[gnwhite]

I could say you had 11 wonderful years with him and thats alot more than many rotties, but it just sounds hollow.

sorry for your loss, good friends are very hard to say goodbye too. I know ive done it and its a killer. that story just was so sad. He will be waiting.

[JuneyB]

Hopefully remembering here will help ease the pain...tho it never totally goes away...the good memories stay so much stronger.

I am sure with the beginning of spring in our city you miss his special companionship. He's at the Bridge with many,many,many other awesome dogs!!!

RIP Bandit.

[Ninasmom]

I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful dog.

[miccmill]

I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful Bandit.

[Madrocs]

sorry for your loss, he was seems like a wonderful friend and I am sure he is still by your side in spirit

[Helen B.]

I'm very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.

[rottie girl]

Thank you all so much. I know most everyone here has experienced the same feelings. And you are so right gnwhite... I've been very fortunate that all 3 of my rottweilers lived long and happy lives and left me with an abundance of great memories and hundreds of photo's! :) Like all good hearts, I just wish we didn't have to say farewell.

[Rene Allegrini]

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Bandit.

[Ilovemypuppy]

My sincere sympathies at this great lost of a wonderful companion who will always live in your heart.

[LORHEL]

Rest in peace Bandit, I'm sorry for your loss, but glad he is pain free now. You did all you could. He will always be in your heart and memories, until you meet again.

[rottie girl]

Thanks again everyone, your kind words are appreciated.

[Barbara Surplus]

Stacy, It's been ages since I've checked in here - a double sadness to find out that you've lost your lovely boy. I've posted tonight in Vets Forum that our lovely Sammy will be on his way to meet up with Bandit tomorrow. My heart's broken as I'm sure yours is. The great blessing in all of this is that we were able to know them as our friends, even if only for a short time. Thinking of you tonight...
Barbara