"Paws & Hearts"Animal Assisted Therapy
"Bingo" Waxman
was taken to the Rainbow Bridge
Monday, June 8, 2020
What in the hell happened that Monday morning at 5:30 am when "Bingo," "Maddie" and I went for our morning walk? Some horrible off-leash German Shephard grabbed "Bingo" in his mouth and brutally killed him. The details are just too horrible to put in words.
"Bingo" who wasn't even 3 years old was just starting his career as an amazing therapy dog and his life was cut way too short by this senseless act.
"Maddie" and Dad have not walked in the neighborhood since, and every morning at 5:30 we are reminded of what happened.
The very first time I saw "Bingo"
Here we are in the get-acquainted room at the shelter!
After a hard day of playing at Duane's
"Bingo" visiting a patient at Desert Regional
"Bingo" & "Maddie" dressed for Halloween during their Lucy Curci visit
If I hide, maybe I won't have to put on the bandanna and go to work today!
Dad, put the book down. I want to play with the toy.
"Bingo" and "Maddie" at home
Bye Dad, I'm safe now at the Rainbow Bridge
"Bingo" was only 8 months old when I adopted him from the Coachella Valley Rescue. I'd gone to look at another dog, but Bingo laid eyes on me and that was it. He motioned me over to his kennel and those big boy paws just started batting the air around me. It was as if this little squirt was saying, 'Take me home, I'll make a great dog for you.' A great dog...........jeez, he was a puppy longer than any other dog I'd ever had!
Talking about testing my patience, "Bingo" chewed pillows, pillowcases, the drapes in the bedroom, the cushions on the living room sofa. After two or three weeks in the crate he figured out how to unlatch it and collapse it! Talk about an old escape artist. I had him in the car a few times to go back to the shelter. But each time, I thought, 'Well, I've come this far with him already.' So, off to DW Pet Care and Duane's pet sitting service. At Duane's Bingo got to run around in this huge yard and play 'big dog' with all the big dogs. Every time he came home it seemed like a bit of the bad puppy behavior was gone. And the last time at Duane's when I brought Bingo home and gave him a bath, I remember that he looked at me as if to say, 'Okay, don't send me back, I promise to be really good from here on in,' and he was. All the bad behavior was gone.
"Bingo" began going on visits with "Maddie" to Desert Regional Medical Center and with Uncle Drew to the Lucy Curci Cancer Center. What "Bingo" hadn't developed in his ability to sit/stay he made up for in his eagerness to greet everyone with his huge smile and quick kiss. He just liked each and every patient immediately. He proved to have nothing but kindness in his heart!
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Sadly, "Bingo" didn't get hardly any time to be a Canine Ambassador but the love he shared was sent back via emails, cards and phone calls when the notice of his passing appeared in the Desert Sun. Here are just a few samples of the kind words for "Bingo." Dear Richard, Bingo was a beautiful and cherished member of your family. He endeared himself to everyone with his energy! He was just a little bundle of enthusiasm and what happened today is beyond horrible. I wish I had some words this morning that could give you comfort, but the reality is that there are no words. This is all so shocking. Just shocking. An email seems like such a diluted tool to try to express heartache. I'm crying with you for the loss of Bingo from our Paws & Hearts family. Risa Dear Ricky, Drew called me earlier tonight and told me about the tragic death of your beloved Bingo. I am so very sorry and cannot imagine how painful this has been for you. I wish you peace as you deal with this terrible loss and I have no doubt that little Bingo was welcomed at the Rainbow Bridge by Scruffy & Lucky and is running free in beautiful new fields. Take care my friend and again, I am so sorry for your loss. Andy Dearest Richard, I just read your email and broke into sobs. I'm devastated that you and precious Bingo had such a brutal, inhumane, horrific experience. I'm beyond empathetic-I'm with you in my entirety. I pour out to you all the compassion of my being, all the love and caring you give to all of who come to you and those in the institutionalized living. All my love, Anita Richard, What a tragedy! I am so sorry, and the fact that you witnessed it is horrific! I have been thinking about you all week, and have been meaning to write to see how you were doing. Take care, and know that Bingo's last years were filled with love and kindness. Gayle Richard, I am so sorry. There are no words. Such a senseless loss. My heart is broken for you and Maddie. Kerry Dear Richard, I am crying with you, as I am sure many are.....words cannot express the feelings, the anger and overpowering sadness with this tragedy. I am so very very very sorry. My Blessings and Prayers are with you and Maddie at this time. Blessings and Love, Kate Richard, My heart goes out to you. I can't imagine what you must be feeling at this time. I just hope this dog and his owner will be brought to justice, and you will get some relief from that. Just know that you are in my prayers, and that Bingo is looking down on you and is thankful for all the love and the quality time he got to spend with you. Regards, Ann and Maggie Oh Richard, I am so, so sorry to hear about Bingo. Your email was the first I read this morning, thinking it was about visiting and hope. Instead it was about the horrible events of June 8th. How you must hurt. I know that ache of losing a beloved pet - but losing him this way is so tragic and devastating. So senseless. Besides the grief you feel for Bingo, there's the anger and frustration that has to be in your heart for this other dog. I wish there were better words to express my sympathy for all you are going through. Bingo was an awesome ambassador of hope for the patients at Lucy Curci. Many of them remarked how much they loved the two little dogs that came together on Wednesdays. I'm sure that Maddie is so sad and lonely as well. It's a horrible, horrible tragedy. Bingo was lucky, though, to have you as his dad, and to be so loved and cared for in his short life. I do believe in the rainbow bridge and I know he'll be there with his friends waiting to greet you again someday. In the meantime, know that I am thinking about you with an aching heart. Give Maddie all sorts of attention and hugs. She needs you now more than ever. Take care, Sandie and Shelby |
"Bingo" there were many more emails, and close to fifty cards arrived in the mail addressed to you. That spot right beside me on the bed, the one that for 2 1/2 years you pushed "Maddie" out of the way for, is pretty empty without you kicking me all night long.
You will never be forgotten Bad Boy Bingo!!!
"Paws & Hearts" Animal Assisted Therapy
74-133 El Paseo, Suite 7, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone (760) 836-1406
Fax (760) 836-1426