Note: This story happens soon after the story "The Lake".


Dr. Cooper, the curator of the museum where Bandit was working, was at his office, doing some paperwork. It was then that he heard someone knocking at the door.

"Come in" he said.

The door opened and Bandit appeared.

"Did you call me, Dr. Cooper?" he asked.

"I did, come in, my boy" he replied.

Bandit came in and approached Dr. Cooper's desk.

"I hope is nothing serious" Bandit said. "I know I'm a little late with my reports, but I'm really almost done with it. It's just things are home have been a little intense, you know how it is with two girls and…"

"Bandit, relax, it's good news" Dr. Cooper said. "However, I do hope you finish those reports as soon as possible."

"You can bet on that" Bandit replied. "My wife will make sure I have the peace and quiet I need to finish everything. She promised me that after I agreed to spend the weekend with my kids, my brothers and my dad."

"Oh, I see, so you went for some family time" Dr. Cooper said. "That's nice. Family is the most important thing in the world… and I see that you take the effort to juggle it and your work. I have to say, Bandit, that's quite impressive."

"Well, I wouldn't say that much" Bandit replied, blushing and scratching the back of his head. "I just do my best… I bet many dogs do the same."

"Perhaps… but very few can manage what you've accomplished" Dr. Cooper replied. "What brings me to the first good news I have to tell you."

He went to open a drawer, from where he took a piece of paper, got up and approached Bandit, saying:

"It's official and you're just about to be notified… however, I really wanted to be the one to tell you."

He extended the piece of paper to Bandit and told him:

"It's with great honour that I deliver this to you, Mr. Heeler."

Bandit took the piece of paper and observed it, seeing that it was…

"But this is… a PhD certificate… in my name. Wait, does this means…"

"Congratulations, you've earned your PhD, Mr. Heeler… or should I say Dr. Heeler?" Dr. Cooper told.

Bandit couldn't believe that was actually happening. He had achieved the highest degree he could ever have on archaeology, his greatest dream after having a family of his own.

Bandit: THIS EPISODE OF BANDIT IS CALLED "THE BONES"

"Is this… for real life?" Bandit asked.

Dr. Cooper nodded and then asked:

"Do you really think I would be that cruel?"

It was then that Bandit went to give a hug to Dr. Cooper and say:

"Thank you so much, Dr. Cooper! You don't know how much this mean to me."

But he soon realized what he was doing and hasted to finish the hug.

"I'm so sorry… I was just… so overwhelmed with happiness…"

"It's alright" Dr. Cooper replied. "I understand completely. I had a similar reaction when I got my PhD. But you don't have to thank me, Dr. Heeler. This was all you. It was your hard work and dedication that allowed you to get where you are now. I mean, your dissertation was excellent and your field work impeccable… You lived up to the potential I saw in you all those years ago."

"That may be so, but if I got where I am today, it's because you gave me the guidance I needed" Bandit replied. "And because of that… I am grateful."

"Well, if you're so grateful, then maybe I can count on you to continue your good work for the museum" Dr. Cooper said.

"Of course" Bandit replied. "You know you can count on me."

"That's great, because that leads me to the second good news I have for you" Dr. Cooper said, while returning to his desk. "Now that you're a PhD, you can now be a principal investigator… and I so happen to have a new project for you to lead."

"You want me to… lead a project of my own?" Bandit asked, still a bit in disbelief.

"I don't see any other dog more capable for the job" Dr. Cooper said, while extending a file to Bandit who took it and opened it. "We've got some evidences of the existence of ancient bones in a region near Darwin. I want to you to gather an excavation team and go there to investigate. I've put on the file some co-workers that have already worked under me and I know they will give you a great help."

He then noticed Bandit's thinking face.

"Is there something wrong, Bandit?" Dr. Cooper asked.

"No, it's just… this job seems to be big and may take so long… and far away" he said.

"I see… you're thinking about your family" Dr. Cooper noticed. "If you want to pass this project over…"

"No, I think I can make it work" Bandit said. "I accept it."

"I'm glad to hear that" Dr. Cooper said. "I hope you get everything ready in a few days."

"But, Dr. Cooper, won't I need some collaborators for this kind of project, besides an excavation team?" Bandit asked.

"You can let logistic to me" Dr. Cooper said. "Just focus on the job you have ahead. Once you have the bones secured, you'll have your collaborators waiting for you."

"Thank you, Dr. Cooper" Bandit replied, with smile.

"The best way to thank me it's doing an excellent job… Dr. Heeler" Dr. Cooper told.

Bandit nodded with his head, saying:

"You can count on me."

Later that day, Bandit arrived at home and, noticing how quiet it was, went to the living room, where he was received with a…

"Surprise!"

Waiting for him was Chilli, Bluey, Bingo, his parents, Stripe, Trixie, Muffin and Socks. The room was decorated in a festive way with a banner where it could be seen written 'CONGRATULATIONS DR. HEELER!'.

"But… what is all this?" Bandit asked.

"What it looks like, honey?" Chilli asked, while going to her husband and giving him a kiss. "We're celebrating."

"Yeah, daddy!" Bluey and Bingo said, while running to their dad to give him a big hug.

"How did you…?" Bandit started.

"Cooper called me and your father to tell us the great news" Chris replied, approaching Bandit to give him a kiss. "I can't believe my little boy is now a doctor."

"Mum…" Bandit said, a little embarrassed.

"Come on, give your old man a hug" Bob said, while going for a hug. "I knew you could do it."

"Thanks, dad" Bandit thanked, finishing the hug.

"I'm so proud of you, big brother" Stripe said, while giving a strong hug to Bandit. "Rad wanted to come to, but he couldn't make it. But he sends his regards to you and says he's very proud of you as well."

"Thank you, little bro" Bandit said.

"Yeah, daddy is now a doctor!" Bluey exclaimed.

"Does this mean you're going to work on a hospital now?" Bingo asked.

Bandit chuckled and said, while picking Bingo up:

"No, Bingo, I am different kind of doctor. It means that now I can have more responsibilities on my job."

After saying that, Bandit came to remember the research project Dr. Cooper had given to him. That was a subject he needed to talk with Chilli, but he decided to let it for later and now enjoy the time he was having with his family.