"Bandit" Has Stolen Our Hearts

by Pamela Breit
(San Mateo, CA, USA)

I wasn't planning to get a puppy, but my 16 year old cat had passed away, and my step daughter's Aussies had puppies that were ready to be adopted. I took one look and fell in love... and my husband and I planned to take "Bandit" home the next week...

I did not know much about Australian Shepherds, but began researching right away... potty training was a snap, he pretty much taught himself... never used a puppy pad, just an old rug just outside of his kennel a couple of times...

Bandit loves ice cubes, puppy training and treats... chasing toys and sometimes balls, chewing hooves and rawhides, the occasional slipper, and going to the puppy park to play with other dogs. Since we live in a town house, we frequent the "puppy park" where Bandit is admired by lots of friends for his "remarkable good looks". We kept the tail, decided not to dock it... which means we sometimes get the question "is he an Australian Shepherd?", from those who are confused by his short fluffy tail.

Agility training I'm sure is in our future... I'll wait until he is around a year old for that I think... In the meantime we'll keep up our other obedience classes. Who knew a dog could bring so much joy. Bandit truly has stolen our hearts...