Bandit - God picked the two of us to be together to help each other grow and nurture each other's spirits.

This is Bandit.  He is my 8 month old Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  He came into my life January 2005 when he was only 7 weeks old and weighed 3 pounds.  Three days later one morning I didn't hear him barking to be let out of his crate.  When I went to him, he was cuddled in the back corner of his bed not moving.  I rushed to pick him up and he howled out in agony.  I had no idea what had happened or where he was hurting.  We immediately went to the Vet and within a half an hour he had lost function of his rear legs.  No one had any idea what was going on.  There wasn't a traumatic accident that could explain this.  X-rays were done and everything looked normal.  Lab work was done and showed he was severely anemic.  They decided he was spontaneously hemorrhaging in his spinal column and it was causing this horrible pain and paralysis. 

 

He was admitted to the hospital and not expected to live.  I cried everyday wondering if my new baby, whom I grew to love instantaneously might not now survive.  He was put on IV antibiotics and steroids in the hope that he would recover and hopefully regain function of his rear legs. 

 

 

I was scared and felt helpless.  How could something this bizarre happen to such an innocent creature?  Why?  I asked God.  Why me?  Why him?  He was just a baby with his whole life ahead of him.  How would we manage?  How will he run and play and enjoy life as a dog should?  I had so many questions.  I wondered if God picked the two of us to be together to help each other grow and nurture each other's spirits.  I thought maybe God picked me because I was capable and educated to handle such a challenge.  I am a Paramedic and an Emergency Department RN.  I take care of sick and injured people everyday of my life.  I make a difference in so many lives so why not this one?  This should be easy, right?  I was saddened by the thought that if Bandit belonged to someone else they might have put him down.  So, I embraced the challenge and brought my baby home!

 He is 8 months old now and thirty pounds (with his wheels on)!  I must say we've had our share of ups and downs but we manage to stay strong and muddle through our difficulties.  Life has improved tremendously since the addition of his wheelchair.  He is loving his new life and freedom of mobility due to your wonderful gift.  He is able to run and play with our other dogs and chase the kitties around the house.  He and I can now go on long peaceful walks along the hiking trails in our community.  He is so happy to be in his wheels!  We can't thank you enough for this enormous gift of life you have given us.  Bandit is the love of my life and I thank God everyday that he brought the two of us together and led us to you.