Bandit was our first Australian Shepherd. He is the reason my parents sold their condo, bought a caravan, fenced the yard and built a deck. His enthusiasm for life is contiguous. Bandit has competed successfully in obedience, agility and flyball. His work ethic and desire to please is of the utmost.
CH. Topper's Mickey the Shenanigan X Bayshore-Propwash Big Splash, CD
Bandit or Herd About the Bandaboo, was born on May 12, 1992, joined my family on July 12, 1992. My family was not prepared for the blessings this little blue dog would bring. Bandit the runt of 8 boys, out of a litter of 9 (only one girl), was chosen by me two hours after he was born. All I wanted was a dog that would listen off leash, swim and jump.
So immediately, after Bandit's arrival, at my home, he was enrolled in puppy classes. He excelled at obedience with his 16 year old handler, earning his CD, CDX and UD, in both AKC and ASCA. Bandit became my best friend and constant companion. He loved to swim, his Labrador friend, Penny taught him how to dive for rocks on the bed of the creek. The best times Bandit and I have had together were walks through the woods in the fall, when the leaves had fallen and would crunch beneath our feet.
Bandit began flyball and agility at the age of 6 years. Flyball was Bandit's favorite dog sport; flyball combined his two favorite activities jumping and playing ball. Agility also offered Bandit the opportunity to jump and run fast, he earned his NA and NAJ with ease. He was retired from all dog sports at 8 years old, due to arthritis in his back. However, an idle Aussie is not a happy Aussie. Bandit was brought out of retirement to run half time on his flyball team No Speed Limit. At 10 years old, Bandit earned his FMX title in flyball.
Bandit lives everyday to the fullest. He has taught me to laugh at myself and to take everything in stride. Bandit has given me unconditional love, companionship and the honor to brag about all of his accomplishments.
However, Bandit's greatest accomplishment is not an earned title. Bandit opened my parent's home for unwanted Aussies and Border Collies. When I look around our home, I see a place that is committed to dogs. Not only committed to our dogs but committed to dogs of others, dogs that were no longer wanted by their families. Bandit has opened our hearts and allowed us to share wonderful things, with dogs that might not have had a chance otherwise.
This is my time, to Thank Bandit (Swimmer, Jumper and Off Leash Dog) for being everything I asked him to be and for teaching me so much more.
