RIP Bande

Gabe's family Dog passed away this morning.

Jack, Jack's grandma, Dennis (Mr. & Mrs. D's Son), Bande and I all went on a walk last night.

I didn't really have a reason to go over to my in-laws house last night, only my mother-in-law was home and of course Bande was too. Little did we know this would be Bande's last walk.

Yesterday, as I pulled up I saw Bande barking his head off through the window, typical Bande, he knew how to give you a proper greeting. Jack was asleep, I knew he had no chance of staying asleep with Bande's excitement.

Jack loved Bande

We were babysitting Bande this week, he escaped twice.

Jack's first walk, it wouldn't be a walk in the La Monica neighborhood without Bande.

The walk was like any other walk, Jack in the stroller, Bande on the leash, enjoying the evening.

I have taken Bande on many walks. He was 9 years old. I met him 8 years ago. At the time, he was no longer a puppy in size but he certainly was a young, hyper pup. We had many parties at Gabe's parents house over the years, he was always there and often entertaining.

When Gabe and I first starting dating in high school, he usually called me every night when he was taking the young dog on a walk.

I walked Bande all over McLean and he was my beautiful running companion too.

Bande always loved me and I loved him, even when he pounced on my pregnant belly.

He protected Jack.

We are over at Gabe's parents house now, Bande lies downstairs by the door, his finally resting place, protecting the family he loved.

Today we read Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant to Jack.

"When Dogs go to Heaven, they don't need wings because God knows that dogs love running best.

He gives them fields. Fields and fields and fields.

When a dog first arrives in Heaven, he just runs...

...There are children, of course. Angel Children.

God Knows that dogs love children more than anything else in the world, so He fills Dog Heaven with plenty of them...

...So sometimes an angel will walk a dog back to Earth for a little visit and quietly, invisibly, the dog will sniff about his old backyard...will follow the child to school...

...When he is satisfied that all is well, the dog will return to Heaven with the angel. It is where dogs belong, near God who made them...

...[In Heaven]...The homes have yards and porches and there are couches to lie on and tables to sit under while angels eat their dinners...

...And each dog is petted and reminded how good he is, all day long.

Dogs in Dog Heaven may stay as long as they like and this can mean forever.

They will be there when old friends show up. They will be there {barking} at the door. "

My mother in law called this morning to share the news, we have been over here ever since. Gabe mowed the lawn, we all played with Jack, Grandpa has been out, he will be home soon and the grave will be dug in the back yard.

Bande's life was cut short, we do not even know how he died. His last adventure was to Tennesee to see the youngest La Monica child graduate college. The La Monica house has always been loud but now it will be quieter. We miss Bande already as he wasn't here to wake Jack up from his afternoon nap.