Every rescued Ridglan beagle has a story, but their journey doesn’t end when they leave the breeding facility. It continues as they experience grass, treats, walks, warm beds and the security of a loving family for the first time.
Kristen Sego shared this beautiful story about Bandit, a Ridglan beagle once known only as IZD5. Today, he has a name, a family and a remarkable ability to bring comfort and happiness to everyone he meets. This is Kristen and Bandit’s story:
Where do I even begin?
I’ve always said once you own a beagle, you’ll always own a beagle. If you know, you know. We have loved every dog we’ve ever had, but after losing our sweet Copper and then our little terrier Dexter, our hearts were broken. Smokey was helping us heal when the Ridglan story started making the news. I couldn’t stop thinking about those beagles.
Years ago I always wished we had been able to adopt one of the Envigo beagles, but the timing just wasn’t right. This time it felt different. I told my husband I wanted to adopt a Ridglan beagle. I submitted an application knowing there were hundreds of people applying and honestly never thought we’d get picked.
The next day I was out running errands when I got a text from one of the amazing volunteers at our local rescue. She told me our application was stunning and that she had the perfect boy for us.
I couldn’t believe it.
Out of all those applicants, we were matched with the only male they received.
Then she sent me his picture.
He didn’t even have a name yet. He was IZD5.
I instantly started crying. I loved him before I had ever met him. We said yes without even thinking twice.
When Bandit came home about a week later, we had a Welcome Home sign, decorations, and even a birthday cake waiting for him. He had no idea how many people already loved him.
Watching him learn how to be a dog has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
At first I had to carry him outside because he was scared. He had to learn that grass was okay. He didn’t know how to chew treats, so we introduced different kinds until he figured it out. Every day he got a little braver and a little sillier.
On day four we went on our first walk. Fire hydrants were suspicious. Motorcycles were terrifying. But he trusted me.
That trust means everything to me.
One thing we learned really quickly is that Bandit absolutely loves people. If he sees someone across a store, he’ll start spinning in circles because he wants to go say hi. He has never met a stranger.
One day at an antique store a man asked if he could pet Bandit. Bandit walked right up to him, leaned into him, and gave him the biggest hug. The man stayed there hugging him for what felt like forever. When he stood up, he told us he was going through a really hard time and needed that hug more than we knew.
The man had no idea what Bandit had been through.
Bandit had no idea he had just helped heal someone else’s heart.
That moment will stay with me forever.
Today Bandit is the funniest little beagle. He sleeps on his back with his paws over his face. He thumps his tail every time we talk to him. He has also become quite the collector. Every day I find toys, chew bones, socks, blankets, or whatever else he has decided belongs in his bed. One day he somehow dragged an entire second dog bed into his bed. When I picked it up I found his whole collection underneath it. I laughed so hard.
Sometimes I still apologize to Bandit for everything he went through during his first year of life. Then I remind him that he is safe now, that nobody is ever going to hurt him again, and that he is loved more than he will ever know.
People tell us all the time how lucky Bandit is.
The truth is, we’re the lucky ones.
Thank you to everyone who helped save these incredible dogs and gave us the chance to love one of them. Bandit has brought so much happiness into our lives, and I honestly can’t imagine our family without him.
We love you more than all the bats in the world, Ban Bans.
