R.I.P. Bodacious July 24, 2007 to December 15, 2010

For those who didn't know Bodacious personally, he had two different sides... The ones who were lucky enough to meet him, only knew of his one side... the quiet, calm, relaxed, and shy Bodacious who didn't have a mean bone in his body.  He would always remain by my side, no matter what.  The other side not too many people got to see including the people in my family. This other side was very energized, full of life and energy. He loved playing and wrestling with the other dogs in the house and yard. One time, one of the fosters were running full speed in the back yard and Bodacious started running towards him and once they were running side by side Bodacious took his behind and gave a quick swift bump to the one foster who then went rolling... Bodacious and his sister Dixie would always use their size to their advantage when playing with the other dogs, it was quite humorous to watch the two using their bodies.

Bodacious was born on July 24, 2007.  My oldest brother has Bodacious' mother and another one of his brothers.  I picked Bodacious out because I wanted a male dog... I wanted a male with blue eyes but that didn't happen so I ended up taking his sister too who has one pretty baby blue eye and then the other eye turned like a hazel/grayish color. I've had both Bodacious and his sister Dixie since they were 7 1/2 weeks old.  From since they were little puppies, they would always be together and even slept on top of each other. Up until Bodacious got too big, Dixie stopped allowing him to lay on her but she continued laying on him. Bodacious and Dixie had a superb bond with each other... more so Bodacious towards his sister than his sister towards him... they had very different personalities. Dixie is more of a social butterfly while her brother preferred to keep to himself with the exception of his sister and myself.

Bodacious was definitely a one man owner... His comfort zone was the best with small children, then women, and men were the last on his list of favorite people...  A three year old boy loose leashed walk him where a strange man would have had difficulties.  Earlier in the summer time, I was getting him used to my parents swimming pool and had Gabriel there too... I kept Bodacious on the leash and called for him to jump in... he stepped a couple feet back and then he started to jump in with his back legs straight back and front legs straight out and had this huge smile on his face and ended up doing a belly flop in the pool. I really wished I had a picture of that... Bodacious was my boy...

I used to bring him with me out to all sorts of events and for two different reasons... one reason was to help him overcome his shyness and the other other reason was for Education purposes... I typically attend "Pit Bull" events whether it was for Rescues or the Mid-Florida APBT Association Fun Shows or other similar events... So, many people would walk up to Bodacious and I and they would say "Wow, what a big 'pit bull' you have!"  I would then look around, then look at Bodacious and back to the people and say "'Pit Bull'? Where? He's not a 'pit bull', he's an American Bulldog" He educated countless of people on the difference of a 'Pit Bull' and an American Bulldog. He was a great teacher and had an awesome temperament and relaxed demeanor to him.

I love all of my dogs unconditionally and would do practically anything to ensure their safety. I was and am my dogs Protector. Some have said I show favoritism... but when it comes down to it... if anybody messed with any of my dogs, regardless which dog it was... I would be there for them and do whatever necessary to protect him.  My dogs are my life. All of my dogs.  My dogs are all well behaved and mannered dogs.  Bodacious was a true Ambassador for the American Bulldog breed.  He was an amazing dog, all who met him fell in love him. He was intelligent, strong, and handsome. He didn't live up to his name, but he did live up to being a true Ambassador... Thinking back, I only have good memories of Bodacious... I can't think of a single bad memory of him, not one with the exception of him becoming sick. I won't be getting into his sickness in this writing as I want him remembered for his good times. I will say this though, whether true or not, I believe he stayed strong through his sickness because he wanted to come home. He has always been a homebody. This was his favorite place in the world.  He also had an exceptionally strong bond with both myself and his sister, Dixie. I'm convinced he passed on his terms. I woke up at 3 something this morning and went to go check Bodacious who was lying on the couch underneath a blanket with his sister beside him.

Bodacious is Home!!  now and forever.... May he run free at Rainbow Bridge!! No more pain, no more suffering, no more sadness... he's fully recovered now.... May God watch over my boy until we reunite...

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I would like to thank everybody for there support through this very trying times.  I greatly appreciate all the prayers, help, and donations. I cannot express my thankfulness enough.  I never lost my hope for Bodacious' Recovery and was very confident we were going to make it through this... He passed one day and a couple of hours after he was discharged which tells me he lost his Will to continue fighting... he made it home and I believe that's what he wanted and might have also played in a roll for him ending his fight as his home was his comfort zone. So, maybe once he made it home he decided it was time... I don't know... in anycase, I cannot thank everybody enough for the support, prayers, and donations given.

As for me, will I be okay?  The answer is yes.  I have eight dogs at my house who are very dependent on me. They are my responsibility. This is very hard for me as Bodacious and I had a very special and strong bond... ultimately, this will only make me a stronger and more compassionate individual. Thanks again for all the prayers and support! I just wanted to share everybody some of the many good times Bodacious had. God Bless...