More Spring Photos

More lovely violets

My favorite little couple I see most every time I hike Kingfisher Trail in Winton Woods.  I think they are so sweet.  I love seeing this couple together all the time.  My hike is not complete if I don't see them.

This is one of my favorite shots I took recently.  Just love the color and their pose.

Butterflies are out and about!

And, of course, some of favorite fungi.

Signs of Spring

I've finally left behind my autumn pictures...believe me, I have plenty more.  I've decided to move ahead to the present.  There were a few days when I went hiking and didn't bother to carry a camera with me.  I just wanted to hike and enjoy the sights and sounds without trying to capture anything at all.  Here are some shots from the past week.

Whether simple or fancy flower or even a weed, all the beautiful colors bursting forth along the trail just make my day!

I like all the mixed colors in this group of flowers.

I'm always happy when I capture a cardinal (or a "red bird" as I called them when I was a child).  They usually don't sit still long enough for me to get a decent picture.

Pretty purples, and one little yellow one down in the corner.

Squirmy Wormy!

Favorite Shots of Bandit

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Bandit was afraid of thunderstorms.  He knew they were coming before any of us did, and he'd always search out his favorite spots.  Here are a few:

Under my nightstand

If he couldn't get into the bedroom, he'd head for the bathtub.

Some of my favorite shots of Bandit.

Bandit and Some of His Friends

We've had many pets over the years.  Here are some shots of Bandit with some of the other pets we've had during his lifetime.

These three pictures are of Bandit and Pretzel.  It's so funny to see Pretzel bigger than Bandit.

Bandit, Me and Stitches.

Bandit and Sargie, who grew into a very large German Shepherd mix.  A very sweet large German Shepherd mix.

Bandit and Magnum.  Here Magnum is taking a swipe at Bandit.  Occasionally, they would get in each others way, but overall they got along very well together.  Magnum is now 12.

Bandit and Idol.  This is a rare picture of the two of them.  Later in life, Idol always seemed to pick on Bandit.  We really had to watch them closely because a scuffle could flare up in an instant with Bandit getting the worst of it.  Idol is 10.

 Bandit, Willow (as the new pup in the house) and Pretzel.

Bandit, Willow and Pretzel

Bandit and Willow.  Willow is 9.

Looking Back on Bandit's First Year

Sharing some pictures of our dear sweet Bandit from puppyhood.  What a cute little guy he was!

1996

Bandit hiding under the bed during a thunderstorm.

Bandit and "friend"

Bandit trying to decide if he really wanted to go down the basement steps...he decided not to.

Bandit and his Easter egg

Bandit prowling around in the garden.

Bandit going out on the town!

Rest in Peace My Dear Sweet Bandit

It's been awhile since I've posted a new blog post.  I've really been depressed since having to put my dear dog down.  He's been with us for 16+ years, but it was time.  The hardest part was deciding that it was time.  I couldn't hold on to him any longer.  I knew to continue to hold onto him, would be unfair to him. 

I really didn't want to write about it here...I just didn't feel up to it.  Yesterday was Easter and I finally just prayed to God to help me get out of the funk I was in.  Well, I found out that God has a sense of humor...and it came to me during Mass right after I prayed for His help.

During the prayer where the priest reads a list of saints, I heard the priest say "and for John and Paul", and in my head popped "and George and Ringo".  I couldn't help but smile to myself.  Then I thought of something the priest I work for said last week that made me chuckle.  I won't repeat it here, because it's not something unholy that he said, it just showed his human side.  It wasn't anything bad, just something he said that made me appreciate him as a human and not just a priest.  Any way, when I left church my depression had lifted after 10 long days. An Easter miracle? To me, it was!

The following are some pictures of Bandit during his final 24 hours.

A picture of our oldest son, Eric who came the night before to visit with Bandit one last time.

A couple of pictures of Bandit sitting with Herb.

Pictures of Bandit as we saw him more and more, just lying on the floor where his legs and his spirit just gave up.

A few pictures of Bandit on his last day in the back yard.  You can tell by the way he holds his head, he really wasn't with us completely any more.  He looks so sad.  His body language tells us that.  He may be on his feet in some of these pictures, but just barely.

Me and Bandit for one last time on the couch before we headed out to the vet.

Our daughter Emily and Bandit in the vet's parking lot.  I'm glad Emily was able to be there with us.

Me, Bandit and Emily in the vet's parking lot.  I tried to let him walk in, but he just wasn't following my lead and he wasn't going to make it all the way on his own.  I eventually had to pick him up and carry him in.

BANDIT

January 7, 1996 - March 29, 2012

Our dear sweet boy, who was so easy to love, but so hard to let go.

We will love and miss you forever.