Benji

UPDATE - BENJI ADOPTED BY FOSTER FAMILY! I got Benji his heartworm test and it was negative and all the rest of his shots. However, I took him to a different vet this time since the other one is closed on Thursdays. Unfortunately, I got bad news about Benji. He could hear fluid on his lungs and is pretty sure he has the signs of congestive heart failure. I told him he had just started coughing a little yesterday and I thought maybe he had gotten kennel cough from getting him groomed. That is why I had made the appointment today to have him check his cough and get him ready for adopting. Unfortunately not expecting this!! He thinks he is also a lot older than the orginal vet said. He said he doesn't think it would be a good ideal to get his teeth cleaned with him having heart problems. He gave me some medicine to help fight the bacteria in his mouth and some medicine for his heart. I think I will probably keep him now that I know he is not in good health. I hate to upset him anymore and also wouldn't be fair to the new owners. I was so sad today... but I think Benji has hit the jackpot. He will at least be loved for the remainder of his life. February - 2006: Benji has a great story - apparently, he's an academic, because he was found at Ted Polk School in Carrollton, TX. A benevolent lady named Susan and her family were on their nightly walk up to the school, about a mile from their home. When they got to the school, they saw a dog in the middle of the parking lot, drinking from a puddle of water by the curb. There had been a dance that evening at the school that was just coming to an end. Cars were whizzing past Benji, and yet not one person stopped to help him. He was in a very dangerous situation near a very busy street; and behind the school is a wooded area where there are lots of coyotes. Susan and her family approached Benji and he wagged his tail. They noticed he was limping and was very weak. They knew they had to help Benji so they quickly coaxed him up closer to the school, away from the street and parking lot. They then walked the mile back to their home and got their car. They returned to the school and walked all around looking for Benji. They told a faculty member about Benji and this man said Benji had been at the school all day, and that some of the teachers were worried about him. The faculty member then led Susan & her family to where he had seen Benji sleeping during the day. There they found Benji curled up on the sidewalk near the building. When Benji saw Susan and her family he came out wagging his tail. They picked Benji up and put him in the car. When they got him home they realized just how hungry and thirsty poor Benji was! Benji definitely was someone's dog at one time. Susan tried to find the owners and checked with her local shelters - no one has reported a dog like Benji missing. Chances are Benji was abandoned. Benji is believed to be around 8 yrs old and weighs 22 pounds, although the vet says he needs to put on some weight and needs a deep cleaning for his teeth. Now that he is being fed and has a warm, soft place to sleep, Benji no longer limps and is getting stronger every day. He is very well mannered, and pays no attention to Susan's cats. But Susan and her family have a very small yard, and their four cats are upset and scared of Benji. This family has been kind enough to temporarily foster Benji until a suitable home can be found. Benji is sweet and adorable and needs a good loving home. With his calm nature, we believe Benji would make an excellent companion for a elderly person, but he would do well young or middle-aged people as well!