Ben - An Accidental Rescue!

Birthday - Do I Smell Cake?

Birthday card - Light the Cake!

   Ben was actually our first rescue, although he didn't start out that way. He had been adopted from a county shelter by my good friend and his wonderful six-year-old daughter, who had finally talked her dad in to getting her a dog. This happy little mixed terrier was about 1 year old and it's hard to believe, but he had very little chance of being adopted until Alison decided to save him.

Black dogs are often overlooked in shelters, and Ben's coat was coarse and rough from poor nutrition. He also had never been neutered, a potentially expensive surgery that was up to the adopter. So Ben went home with his new family, and all was good in the summer while Ben could stay outside. But soon the threat of the cold Maryland winters became a reality and Ben was still not house trained. My husband and I already had 3 dogs - one being Ollie (his story tomorrow), so I offered to keep the little guy for the winter. That "winter" lasted for 14 more years, but we loved Ben from the start and were happy to keep him. Alison was given the option to visit him any time she wanted, and now, many years later, she and I are still friends. By the way - Ollie, our second rescue, house trained Ben for us!