Ch. Anbi's Black Canyon Express   "Bandit"

A goodbye to our lovely boy --

    You were are beginning, the first show dog.  With style, personality and movement that could not be ignored.  When others tried to brush you and your "newbie owners" aside, you said -- I don't think so! and kicked the doors of the dog show world wide open for us.  Before we understood your significance to our future, you made your "mark" -- solely on merit and with little or no help from us.  You NEVER doubted your own terrific-ness and simply did not take no (or second place) for an answer.  Our journey began with you. Without Bandit, there would be no Maskarade.  We were fortunate to be blessed with such an amazing, sweet boy.

    We will always cherish you, who we adored every day of your life.  You were our warrior -- strong and proud and without fear (we won't tell anybody about the cats) -- Dad's loyal lieutenant.  Always good-humored and helping to keep the kennel kids in line.  Not one time in your life were you ever challenged as the leader of our pack.  It was so obvious you were the master of all you surveyed -- whether in the ring or the back yard -- as in, "Yes, I'll obey and go in my house.  But I will circle the entire property one more time first so you know I'm doing it to please you-- NOT because I have to do what I'm told -- because I don't if I don't want to!"  

        You were magnanimous and patient in the extreme with those pesky young "wanna-bes" and "groupies" that surrounded you every day and followed you everywhere.  You SO ADORED and delighted in new babies --with some consternation when they mis-identified the purpose of your "tee-tee" (you talked and played from outside the whelping box after that, as I remember) -- and a great deal of exasperation that one of them could have the gall to think they might grow up to be as magnificent as you knew yourself to be.

    Typically, you exhibited only love and courage in your final days.  It was so hard -- no, absolutely devastating is a better description -- to let you go -- but we had to agree when you told us it was time.  We have loved you so dearly for this past 12 years and will miss you so much.  Our hearts are with you as you cross the bridge to find your pals, Mardi and C.J., so you can again take charge and run and play together like before. 

    Farewell, big guy, until you greet us again.