Benjamin Buttons

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Update 09/13/10:

Benjamin Buttons continues to be a very laid back dog who will follow his foster parents all over the place just to be near them. He loves getting lots and lots of petting and hugs. He will prance around when his foster parents come home from work or running errands. He will also bound up the stairs and trot down the stairs to greet them.

He gets along with other dogs but does not seem to want to join in play. He will watch the others wrestle around a bit and will go with them to check out what ever seems to have caught their attention. He wanders around in the fenced-in yard sniffing and, when he is checking out his surroundings, he will observe for quite some time, as if he is remembering something from his past. He does not care for toys and doesn’t chew on anything inappropriate but treats or food, on the other hand, seem to bring a smile to his face.

When Benny was neutered, he also had x-rays done on his left front leg as he does seem to limp a bit. It is more noticeable when he first gets up from the laying down position and needed to be checked out. Rather than from an injury, the vet felt there is some mild arthritis in his left elbow joint. For Benny, the best course of action is to manage any discomfort with medication on an as-needed basis. Benny doesn’t whimper because of this, but it may be a part of his being the very, very quiet dog that he is. He isn’t a rowdy like many dogs; he just seems to take everything in stride.

Benjamin Buttons’ ideal home would be one with low impact activities for him– lots of cuddling and hands-on attention. His foster family feels children would be OK, as long as they understood that their dog would not be comfortable with Frisbee chases or ball playing. He is so laid back that he may be perfect for an older couple who want a low maintenance dog– one they can take walks with, one that will sit with them on moonlit nights outside or in front of the fireplace in the winter time. Benny’s perfect evening might be watching TV with his family when one hand is on the remote and the other hand is gently caressing his head. He is happy just to be taking life easy as long as he is beside his family.

Original:

Benjamin Buttons was found by a kind person in North Carolina who saw that he needed help. Although he was rain soaked and full of ticks, this kind person picked him up, put him in her car and took him home where she attended to his immediate needs of drying him off, using Frontline to rid him of ticks, and giving him something to eat. During the time that he was staying with this Good Samaritan, she named him Benjamin Buttons (Benny for short), took good care of him, and posted notices stating that she had found him. When no one called to claim this boy, she contacted MAESSR for help in finding Benny a new forever home.

Benny was excellent at the vet’s office– no shaking, no growling, no barking; he just went with the flow! The vet drew blood for Benny’s heartworm check, took a fecal sample, and inserted a microchip and all Bennie did was stand there without flinching or even looking around to respond. The vet was impressed at what a good, laid back fellow Benny is! When Benny is neutered, he will also have some x-rays taken of his shoulders since his elbows stick out like he is bowlegged. He limps slightly on the left side when he gets up. This does not stop him from being an active boy, though.

This sweet boy is getting used to his name and he is proving to be a true Velcro dog following his foster parents everywhere they go. Whether that means going for a car ride or going for a walk, Benny is glad to accompany them. He does pull on the leash in his enthusiasm to be out walking.

When his foster parents are gone, Benny is given free run of the house as he is reliably housetrained and he does not chew on anything. He just curls up in kitchen area and sleeps until they come home. At night he sleeps on a dog bed next to his foster mom’s side of the bed. On a particularly stormy night, Benny had to crawl up into bed with his foster parents for a little comforting, but later got down and slept on foster dad’s bedside for the rest of the night.

Although he doesn’t counter-surf, Benny does worship the refrigerator when the door opens! He also dotes on whoever is in kitchen; Benny sits in the kitchen, not minding that he may be under foot and ever hopeful that he may catch a morsel of food that may fall down or be tossed to him. He will sit or lie down by the dinner table while everyone eats hoping for a nibble but he does not beg. His favorite past times definitely are eating and sleeping! Actually, he is a little picky about what dog food he eats so his foster mom has to doctor it up with something nice and delicious!

When a neighbor’s Golden Retriever comes to visit Benny or he sees the outdoor cat, his reaction is of tail wagging and a bit of a whine like he remembers a previous family member or a friend. When taken outside, he will often stare out in the yard as if looking for someone. Don’t worry, Benny. There are more people and dogs and cats for you to love in the world. MAESSR will see to that!

Besides being friendly to dogs, cats, and adults, Benny is good with children. When his foster mom picked him up from the Good Samaritan, she was told a sweet story about Benny and a six year old child. The Good Samaritan said she discovered one of her six year old students was missing during class and she found the student in the barn with Benny, hand-feeding him his dog food! The little girl would reach in his bowl for some kibble and Benny would gently take it out of her hand! What a sweet boy!

Watch for more about Benny. He’s a gentle soul who is full of love!