Lately I’ve been dealing with grief over the passing of a beloved pup.  Sadly, life by its very nature is finite.  The condition of life is a story that always culminates in some sort of ending.  How good the story is, how memorable by others, we won’t be around to find out.  However, when I eventually leave this earthly existence, I can only hope my story makes an impact down the road.  And in hopes of that, I work to become the best version of me available today.

Some stories are legendary, For example, my grandfather used to regale us with the tragic tale of his poor Aunt Gert, who was a stunningly beautiful woman right up until she was horribly scarred in a sledding accident.  She responded by retreating into a reclusive lifestyle, taking residence in a domicile that may or may not have been haunted.  As a child, I was enthralled by these stories.  My grandfather was an impressive storyteller!   Now, though, I wonder how much creative embellishment might have been exercised in the retelling, however I’m not willing to spend the energy to find out.

An interesting thing about our life “stories” is the intersection where we meet other characters going about their business and working on their own stories.  And I’m not only speaking of the humans.  Our four-legged friends teach us valuable lessons and make their own impact on this world.  Such is the truth I have come to realize through mourning my beloved Bandit.  The quiet legacy he has left in our household is considerable and not to be forgotten.

About two weeks after our first dog as a married couple, Barney the Beagle, passed away I started to head to the mailbox to get the mail when I was stopped by a heart-wrenching sound.  It was our remaining dog, Skeeter, screeching and screaming.  My husband was out of town, and it was just Skeeter and I.  Skeeter thought I too was abandoning him.  So, I picked him up and comforted him as I took him with me to the mailbox.

When I returned, I immediately decided we need another doggie companion because both Skeeter and I were devastated by Barney’s passing.  So, I went onto a few local rescue websites and my heart immediately latched onto one pup in particular.  The rescue folks had named him Trouble.  Should’ve been an indicator, but my heart overran my head and I declared to my husband that this was OUR dog!

We brought him home that night after a meet and greet at a pet foster home.  That’s where we first ran into Trouble.  By the time the 45-minute drive to our house was completed, all the bedding we had thrown in the back of our jeep to bring him home was SHREDDED.  We brought him into the living room, where he proceeded to run from toy to toy in an abundance of energetic excitement (or possibly nervousness).  Skeeter paid him very little attention and we were super stoked by our new household member.  However once done checking out his new abode, Bandit turned on my husband and the biting started.  Serious biting – he meant business.  These weren’t little nips.

We weren’t quite sure what to do and several friends told us he needed to go back to the rescue.  However, in my heart I knew that we were the right home for him and this was our dog – I had faith!  We hired a trainer, and my husband spent many late nights reading about dog behavior issues looking for remedies.  It took a lot of work, patience and an abundance of love but eventually Bandit adjusted to his new life.  Many who knew us were still skeptical but were eventually won over.  Bandit went through a total transformation and became a loyal, loving family member.  This Bandit, who used to be Trouble, stole our hearts!

When Bandit passed almost 11 years later, his greatest accomplishment – the one we will remember the most – was his ability to love unconditionally.  We were far from perfect dog parents, but he loved us regardless, faults and all.  He also taught me that change is possible, even if it doesn’t seem like it is at a given moment.  Sometimes all it takes is some faith.  Maybe love does conquer all.

I’ve gone through dark periods during my life where I felt hopeless.  Like Bandit, at times others have deemed me a lost cause.  But with perseverance, patience and an abundance of love from not only others but myself, maybe I can write a “story” that’s filled with HOPE.  That would be an amazing legacy.