The Bandit And His Soul Mate: Saying The Final GoodBye

He was the biggest and strongest of dogs. He walked his kingdom daily, head held high, shining coat glistening in the sun. He would intimidate lesser dogs, never failing to let them know that he was the king; and like all kings, he had chosen his queen when she was just a princess. Many years ago, Pancho spotted a petite, graceful young beauty. He approached her, smelled her and then without hesitation, lifted his leg on her. He was simply marking her as his. Her owners were not happy, but finally realized that Pancho meant her no harm. That was just the way things were done in Pancho’s kingdom. The beautiful princess was named Haley and although he outweighed her by close to 50 pounds, Pancho and Haley would meet daily to romp and play. They would wrestle, and sometimes he would even allow her to think that she had won. He would nuzzle her and she him. Through the years, these two lovers would always find ways to see each other. When she was on her walks, she would find her way to his house. Pancho’s queen would sit outside his window, crying in the hopes that Pancho would be able to come out and spend time with her. If Pancho was unavailable, he would find his way to her house later in the day. He would sit outside, refusing to leave until she came to play. So, it was no different on Pancho’s last night as king.

Even though they had both aged over the years, these two soul mates never faltered in their love. Pancho became ill and almost overnight, his youthful look was gone. For no apparent reason, his kidneys had failed and he spent two torturous days in the hospital. When his doctors said there was no hope of recovery, his owners asked to take him home for one final night, so that he could maybe have a last feast and sleep beside the boy, now man, who had become his best friend. The doctors didn’t think he would be able to eat, but they were wrong. Pancho relished that last double cheeseburger, but prior to his feast, he was carried from the car and placed on the ground for his last walk into his palace. He refused to make that short walk; instead, he turned and demanded to be led to Haley’s house.

He was on a mission. He would see his queen one last time. He knew that his now weak legs would carry him that far; they had to. He would not go without saying goodbye to his love. It was midnight when he arrived at her house and fortunately, her owners were not yet asleep. They knew it was Pancho’s last night and they knew how important this final visit would be. Haley came running down her steps. She must have sensed that her king was here to say goodbye. She nuzzled him gently. She sniffed his bandages. Pancho just stood there, nuzzling her, sniffing her one last time. Although he was unable to wrestle, his uncontrolled wagging tail signaled to her his happiness. They knew it would be their last kiss.

Pancho’s final night was maybe his best. He said goodbye to his queen. When he got home to his palace, he savored his last double cheeseburger and then he laid next to his best friend. He was stroked and loved and hugged and loved some more. His tail seemed to wag the entire night. He had a nosebleed during the night, but his owner gently wiped the blood away.

The next morning, the Bandit King bravely walked back into the hospital. His head was held high as he made his way to the treatment room. He sat down in his friend’s lap, made himself comfortable, stared into the tear-filled eyes of his best friend and then, Pancho peacefully went to sleep.