Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sunk Indeed

Fourteen years ago, our youngest daughter wrote "The Shih-Tzu Report," which proclaimed in no uncertain terms the 10 top reasons why our family had to get this breed of dog.

We read it. We argued it. We bided our time. Shortly thereafter, Bandit, 3, was dropped off by his owners at the Hinsdale Humane Society, where we visited one day later. After much sniffing and general reconnoitering, he jumped up into Anna's 9-year-old lap. "You're sunk!" our eldest whispered to me.

You know how this ends: in a matter of days, Bandit had his own chair at our dinner table. (We're not very educated in the dog-owning department, just the dog breed itself.)

And so to our 17-year-old Bandit, who enjoyed a walk yesterday on the Whalon Lake bike path and sniffed every wildlife hazard along the way, Happy Birthday. According to the Internet, that makes you somewhere between 81 and 84 years old.


You look half your age, buddy.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't this the dog that was close to death a couple of months ago? What a miraculous recovery. Must have been that liverwurst! Go Bandit!

Betshy said...

No leash? or just hidden in the picture??

sarah said...

Little guy Bandit started a wonderful tradition in our family, now everyone has their own version of a $%&$-chu. Thank you Bandit for opening our eyes.

Naperville Now said...

Betsy: leash is there, just camo-ed due to the greyness of the day.

Anonymous said...

They're both looking good for their age!
Happy Birthday Bandito!
Kak

Johanna said...

I remember reading the original document pre-arrival of THE Bandit. We marveled at Anna's logical, precise, impressive presentation. It looked like a future lawyer to me. So glad she turned out to be ethical instead! Thank you Bandit for influencing my family to get me the love of my life and best ever traveling companion, Rudy.

Johanna said...

Also, Charlie you don't look too bad for an old dog either.

Lynn said...

I remember how stressed you were when Bandit became a member of the JP fam about "separation anxiety" (was it his or yours?) and how best to take care of him, you not having much experience in all matters doggie. Bandit, you still look like a young pup! Happy Birthday, you cute thing, you. Shows what a loving family and a lot of TLC will do!

Anna JP said...

I'm pretty sure that's the best looking dog in Naperville. And maybe the planet ;)