What We’ve Learned From Our Dog

To the Editor:

My wife, my children, and I had the unfortunate experience of losing our 14-year-old dog Bandit this week. He was a great pet and a very loyal friend. He taught us a great deal and we think others could benefit from some of his wisdom. Following is some of what he taught us.

1. No matter how many times you go out in the backyard, it is always full of wonder and adventure. It’s all there — you just have to be willing to appreciate the experience.

2. There is absolutely nothing better than curling up next to a fire on a cold winter night among people you love...nothing.

3. A road trip to the Newtown dump can be an enormously enjoyable experience.

4. Eat the food that’s put in front of you, and be grateful for it. It will taste better now than three hours from now, and you’re probably not going to get anything more until you’ve eaten it.

5. Though material things can make life a bit more comfortable, they are often an encumbrance in the human world. Dogs are not weighed down by material things. They build lasting relationships of loyalty, honor, and love and live very happy lives with nothing more.

6. The mere occurrence of the arrival home of myself, my wife, or one of my daughters always put Bandit in a good mood. Just being together was all he wanted. By example, he taught us to shun complexity and seek the right things out of life.

7. When Bandit chose to break the rules and knew he’d get caught, he would make the best of it. He’d run away on an adventure...then when he decided to return home, he’d do so wet and dirty and make us wonder what he’d been up to. Or he’d mark his territory on the kitchen floor, knowing full well he’d get a swat on the butt. But then he’d do something really appealing, and he knew we’d forget all about whatever his misbehavior was. But make no mistake, his territory had been marked.

Many people experience the sadness associated with losing a family pet. It happened to our family this week. Maybe by sharing some of what Bandit taught us, other Bee readers can relate to our experience.

Brendan Duffy

4 Chestnut Knoll Drive, Sandy Hook                            June 27, 2007