Ben the Shelter Dog!
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So as some people might know, our first attempt at dog rescue was not so good. We did not get to meet the dog first and we got him so young we had *NO* idea how big he would grow to be. Sebastian was a beautiful dog, Dr Mark our vet believed he was part Golden Retriever part German Spitz. He was a friendly dog but he had NO MANNERS. And he is the first dog I have EVER known who was not motivated by food. Not even a little bit. I have no clue how to train a dog without food rewards =(
So after a year of Sebby knocking everyone over for jumping, terrorizing the cats, breaking through screens, windows, 4 seperate crates. And a lot of heartache, I found him a new home. Gabe asked about the 'Woof' but wasnt too upset about it, since he could never really interact with Sebby.
After we found him a new home, I casually browsed Petfinder, looked on Craigs List etc to see if i could find a better fit for our family. I put some applications in at local shelters just in case the workers there happened to find a dog for us. I was in no rush after the debacle with Sebby.
Well one afternoon I figured I'd go put in application in at the Meriden Humane Society. We've adopted 2 cats from them and currently foster an elderly cat. Petfinder didnt have any specific dogs from them that I was interested in. But I figured I'd just put in an application and tell them what we were looking for. While I was there, one of the volunteers said, 'I know the perfect dog.'
She brought me to the backroom and there was Ben. A beautiful medium sized dog who wagged his tail so hard his crate shook. I took him for a walk and spent at least an hour playing with him. I was excited. At the next available time I brought Gabe to the shelter to meet Ben. Ben gave him kisses but the two of them seemed more interested in the cats. However there was no knocking over, no growling. Just a lot of kisses and tail wagging.
So a week later we went back because Gabe was asking about Ben the Woof. This time we couldnt stay very long but Gabe spent that time hugging Ben. It was puppy love! I was so excited when I got the call asking if we wanted to bring Ben home! I dug out the dogbed we had in the closet, got food and water bowls set up and zipped over to get Ben. When I brought him home, Gabe was thrilled. Even Cait was excited, and Ben was very nice to her as well.
We've had Ben for almost 3 weeks now, and while Ben has some issues we need to work on, as well as attending a training class - he is a very sweet and loving dog. Gabe and Ben are inseperable. They sleep together, play together and take walks together, with me of course. It is a very happy time for us! And best thing is... Ben loves going for car rides... so he is going to join the kids and me for our trip up to Maine in July! How much fun will that be! A whole island for Ben to explore with two other dogs. And of course plenty of love and attention.
While I was in the vet's office with Ben I came across this poem that I thought I would end this post with.
I rescued a Human Today
I rescued a human today.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.
I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.
I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.
Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past.
I only have the future to look forward to and want to make
a difference in someone's life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.
So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved.
At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
So after a year of Sebby knocking everyone over for jumping, terrorizing the cats, breaking through screens, windows, 4 seperate crates. And a lot of heartache, I found him a new home. Gabe asked about the 'Woof' but wasnt too upset about it, since he could never really interact with Sebby.
After we found him a new home, I casually browsed Petfinder, looked on Craigs List etc to see if i could find a better fit for our family. I put some applications in at local shelters just in case the workers there happened to find a dog for us. I was in no rush after the debacle with Sebby.
Well one afternoon I figured I'd go put in application in at the Meriden Humane Society. We've adopted 2 cats from them and currently foster an elderly cat. Petfinder didnt have any specific dogs from them that I was interested in. But I figured I'd just put in an application and tell them what we were looking for. While I was there, one of the volunteers said, 'I know the perfect dog.'
She brought me to the backroom and there was Ben. A beautiful medium sized dog who wagged his tail so hard his crate shook. I took him for a walk and spent at least an hour playing with him. I was excited. At the next available time I brought Gabe to the shelter to meet Ben. Ben gave him kisses but the two of them seemed more interested in the cats. However there was no knocking over, no growling. Just a lot of kisses and tail wagging.
So a week later we went back because Gabe was asking about Ben the Woof. This time we couldnt stay very long but Gabe spent that time hugging Ben. It was puppy love! I was so excited when I got the call asking if we wanted to bring Ben home! I dug out the dogbed we had in the closet, got food and water bowls set up and zipped over to get Ben. When I brought him home, Gabe was thrilled. Even Cait was excited, and Ben was very nice to her as well.
We've had Ben for almost 3 weeks now, and while Ben has some issues we need to work on, as well as attending a training class - he is a very sweet and loving dog. Gabe and Ben are inseperable. They sleep together, play together and take walks together, with me of course. It is a very happy time for us! And best thing is... Ben loves going for car rides... so he is going to join the kids and me for our trip up to Maine in July! How much fun will that be! A whole island for Ben to explore with two other dogs. And of course plenty of love and attention.
While I was in the vet's office with Ben I came across this poem that I thought I would end this post with.
I rescued a Human Today
I rescued a human today.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.
I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.
I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.
Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past.
I only have the future to look forward to and want to make
a difference in someone's life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.
So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved.
At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
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