Character Analysis
Bow chicka wow wow.
We suspect that's what Bandit says as he cruises down the highway, ears blowing in the wind, nose sniffing freedom in the air.
Actually, Bandit doesn't say anything. He doesn't even do anything, really. Mostly he's just there to illustrate some things about Leigh's character.
After the divorce, Bandit leaves with Dad, which makes Leigh sad and angry. After all, he says, he and Bandit didn't get divorced. He says, "I really miss Bandit, but I guess he's happier riding around with Dad" (14.2.). He doesn't want Bandit to be bored lying around the house, which shows he's compassionate and considerate of others even if they have four legs and don't talk a lot. There aren't many ways to amuse a dog at Leigh's house.
In another way, Bandit represents Leigh's relationship with his dad. When Leigh loses his dad, he also loses Bandit. He has to deal with this loss throughout the story. But when Bandit gets lost, we later learn that Dad never stopped looking for him, sending messages out on his truck's radio asking the other truckers if they'd found him. Even though Dad can seem like he doesn't care much about Leigh, he knows how much Bandit means to his son and he keeps looking for him.
At the end of the book, Dad comes back to visit and brings Bandit back to stay with Leigh. But Leigh knows Bandit doesn't belong with him anymore, just like Dad doesn't belong there; they're both wanderers. Leigh sends Bandit on his way to keep riding with Dad. This is totally a sign that Leigh is growing up and learning to let go. It's great for Bandit because we think he'd rather be out on the open road.