May 2013: We have very sad news – gorgeous Benji has very sadly passed away :-( He had a peaceful passing in his lovely foster home, with his family by him. We’re very grateful to his family for looking after this lovely boy for us. Sleep tight Benji.
Gentle Ben, or Benji as his foster carer likes to call him, is a 14 year old Labrador x Collie who came into Oldies Club care after his owner sadly died and Ben had been taken in by a neighbour temporarily. Ben is now in an Oldies Club foster home in Market Weighton, East Yorkshire. Due to some health issues it has been decided that it would be better for Benji to remain in his foster home permanently as an Oldies Club sponsor dog for the rest of his retirement years.
Benji quickly settled very well into his foster home when he arrived, in spite of having been through a major upheaval in his life. His calmness and resilience amazed his foster carer and he also settled extremely well with the three resident dogs in the home, no whining, barking or growling.
Sadly Benji has become incontinent quite suddenly and can’t go for more than a few hours without an accident, sometimes this happens on his bed of which he seems unaware. The vet has tested a urine sample and there is no sign of infection, but he may well be showing early signs of canine senility. Because of this and the incontinence Benji will stay where he is as an Oldies Club sponsor dog and be cared for in his old age.
Benji is a lovely old boy who still enjoys his walks, treats and a back rub. He pushes his bum up against you just like Baloo the Bear! His foster carer says that although he likes to sleep for long periods, he does like to know where you are and will come and sleep at your feet. Other than an aversion to claw clipping, nothing seems to faze Ben. He doesn’t flinch at fireworks, he hardly notices the hoover, and he wanders around the garden very happily by himself when let out. His sight and hearing are not what they were but this doesn’t seem to bother him too much.
This gentle old lad has charmed his foster carer who says “We love having Ben here; he is a truly gentle and calm old man who we adore”. Benji will be loved and cared for in his retirement years and will continue to enjoy his life with his doggie friends in his foster home.
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If you would love to offer a home to an oldie but your circumstances aren’t suitable, perhaps you would be kind enough to sponsor Benji or one of the other special oldies we are caring for in our sponsor dog scheme.