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23-11-2009, 10:58 PM

Benjy, Fell terrier, DOB 10.04

Benjy, Fell terrier, DOB 10.04



His Story: Benjy's owner died tragically, the wife wasn't a doggie/ terrier person and has struggled with Benjy on top of the family's bereavement. Passed to a 'farmer' to live in a communal kennel, Benjy managed well, but the terrier bitch pushed him and after 4 weeks they had a tussel and Benjy needed to go. Previous owner could not take him back. He came in as a emergency.

Salient points: 5 year old Red Fell Terrier. Has lived as an only dog, with one child in a rural setting. Recently mixed with 3 dogs. Would need to develop further skills to live with other dogs, but could work. Keen working instincts. Grown up with a child. Needs firm, kind structure.

Advert: Benjy is just turned 5 years. He was rescued as a tiny pup from the RSPCA and was close companion to his master. His master died tragically in February and Benjy has been "at sea" since. He was rehomed by the bereaved wife, but didn't cope with being demoted to a outside kennel life. Benjy needs to build trust again with a companion owner and learn new boundaries and routines, slowly so he can adjust.

Benjy is a delicate terrier. Fine boned, almost whippet like dimensions for a Red Fell Terrier. He is sensitive by nature and displays typical terrier traits. Can stake his position in new situations and so need time to develop fluidity and common rules. He also needs confidence behind him and then accepts dogs well. Needs to be retained on a lead or collar bell as could 'go to ground'. Benjy will win through - what couldn't you love about this cheeky terrier!

"Please note that this dog is currently in kennels and is also available for foster until a 'forever' home is found".



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15-12-2009, 09:40 PM
An update from one of our kennel walkers ...



"We met Benjy today, and what a lovely time we had with him. When I went into the kennel he was bouncing up and down with all the noise and excitement that was going on. When he saw that I wanted to put a harness on him he sat still and tried to put his head through and be helpful. What a sweetie.



He was a little apprehensive about leaving the kennel site, but did not put up any resistance and was happy to comply. Within a few minutes he was visibly relaxing. My husband and I and our Jack Russell went out with Benjy and all got on very well. Benjy greeted our dog nicely, but didn't over do it. He was happy to follow our dog and soon latched onto him. They were happy being side by side, but each just doing their own thing. Taking turns to check out interesting smells and sticking their noses into holes in the ground.



He was aware of everything going on, cars going past, children in the play park, but had no issues with any of it. We stepped to the side of a narrow path to let another dog past and Benjy just stood and waited while I petted him to show him that he was doing well.



Benjy walked so nicely on the lead. He responded to the slightest pressure to guide him and didn't pull once. The ground was sodden and slippery, the slightest tug would have had me over, but with Benjy this wasn't an issue. When manouvering over styles he was patient and helpful. He could see where he needed to go and where I needed to go and he made it all really easy. I think that he is a clever dog.



Benjy was happy to be touched all over and enjoyed a cuddle. When I was sure that he was happy with gentle cuddles I started to give him rougher cuddles and pats which he was very happy with that too.



Benjy accepted treats very very gently. He has very nice manners.



When Benjy and I lagged behind a couple of times as I negotiated the lakes of mud he was very patient and aware of me, but I could see that he wanted to get a bit of a move on to be in the company of our dog and walk with him. It wasn't a case of Benjy wanting to play with him or chase him, he just wanted to be walking near to him, which we thought was lovely.

Benjy was the perfect gentleman. He really wants to please and be helpful. He enjoyed affection and the company of both of us and our dog. I think that he is lovely"

***LATEST NEWS***
Since that update a short while ago, dear Benjy hasn't been eating his dried food so Sue has just changed his diet to moist. What with being hyped in the kennels he has lost a lot of weight this week which was a shock. So after a lovely walk with Evette where he was calm and really enjoyed the company we changed his kennel so he has no-one beside him .. we put extra padding in his bed and a smart tartan jacket to keep him warm. We will focus on getting that weight back on this week.


lore
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16-12-2009, 10:03 AM
Aw what a pretty little man. Sounds like a proper gentleman. Hope he finds a forever home real soon
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29-12-2009, 07:35 PM
He is lovely and I have so say that Paul & Annie (volunteer dog walkers) did really well with their photographs of him. He is quick mover and I failed to capture him that well yesterday. Here is a little taster though ... very pretty if you can call a boy that ...



Still looking for his foster or forever home!
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01-01-2010, 07:57 PM
An update from Bengy’s fosterer’s who have agreed to give him a break from kennels for a few days:

“We are lucky that delightful Benjy has come to stay with us and our dog, just for a few days. We are getting to know him and although it is early days we thought that we would let you know how his character is unfolding.

LOOKS - Benjy's condition has deteriorated recently just because he isn't coping well with the stress of being in kennels. The improvement we have seen after just a couple of days of relaxing is amazing.

Benjy's coat and eyes are a beautiful colour....and he has cute ears.


IQ - Benjy is bright and picks things up quickly. He likes to watch whatever is going on.

EATING - Benjy has not shown any issues about food. He is happy for someone to stand over him while he eats, isn't bothered if you touch his food bowl while he is eating and wasn't worried by our dog eating in the same room. Benjy will sit and wait nicely for his food bowl. Benjy's recent weight loss is just from being too stressed to eat his food in kennels and burning off too many calories. In a home environment he is loving his food and has rediscovered his appetite to the point that he may even need watching for scavenging.

Benjy knows which kitchen cupboard the dog food is kept in.


SLEEPING - Benjy loves a comfy dog bed. He is happy in a crate. Benjy sleeps through the night without any fuss.

Benjy likes a cosy bed.


Benjy is happy to be in a crate with the door open or closed.


BARKING - So far Benjy hasn't barked.

HOUSE TRAINING - No accidents, no scent marking, no problems.

Our dog showing Benjy around the garden.


WALKING -We thought that our dog walked nicely on a lead, but Benjy is much better. Benjy doesn't pull and responds to the lightest finger pressure on the lead to guide him. As yet Benjy has not gone as far as the length of his extender and wants to stay close. Benjy is happy with a collar or harness and doesn't mind wearing a coat at all. Benjy seems more confident walking on pavements or open grass. He seems a little nervous about walking in the woods. This may be related to a working terrier background, but I am only guessing.

Benjy in his spaceman outfit.


DOGS - Benjy is very very relaxed with our Jack Russell and has been since they met. Benjy has not reacted at all to our neighbour's dogs when they occasionally bark. Gentle introductions to sensible dogs and sensible owners are fine. Today three off lead labradors charged at Benjy at full speed and Benjy reacted defensively, which I can understand. We had to ask the owner to call his dogs back and then Benjy was reassured.

Benjy socialising with friendly dogs.


TRAINING - Benjy knows his name, "sit" and "bed". He responds to "leave it" and "off". Benjy is here to relax so we haven't pressed him into training but he is happy to work for treats so will be easy to motivate and reward.



DOORBELL - No reaction as yet.

FIREWORKS - Benjy did not react to the New Year fireworks at all. Our road is very quiet and so any noise is very obvious. At midnight there were revellers running up and down shouting "Happy New Year", fireworks going off and this caused other dogs in the area to bark. Benjy and our dog snoozed on undisturbed.
There was also the noise of gunshots today from the pheasant and rabbit hunting that goes on in the village, but Benjy wasn't bother by this either.

TOYS - Loves them! Needs strong rubber toys as Benjy can scalp a tennis ball in minutes. He likes to carry a toy in his mouth but will drop it for a treat.

CUDDLES - Yes please! Benjy is affectionate but not clingy. He loves a cuddle and then after a while is happy to take himself off to a comfy bed, but he is very tired at the moment. If you scratch Benjy in the right place on his neck he makes funny grumbly snoring noises and closes his eyes.

Multi-tasking.....two simultaneous neck scratches, what a talent.


LIKES - Benjy likes cuddles, sleeping, food, our dog, chew toys, calm friendly dogs, people, cosy beds, dog crates, lying by the radiator, sitting in the conservatory watching the birds in the garden.

DISLIKES - Mud! Pushy dogs.



OBSERVATIONS - We have really enjoyed having Benjy to stay. We are not very experienced with dogs but we have not had any difficulties. We would certainly not consider our opinion to be the voice of authority.
It is very sad that Benjy lost his owner through bereavement. We suspect that Benjy was a close companion to his owner and that his owner put a lot into Benjy.
A few days relaxing has already created physical improvements and Benjy has settled in to our home very quickly.
Benjy is a little apprehensive of things sometimes but it is early days and some reassurance could possibly go a long way with him. We suspect that if he was pushed out of his comfort zone too quickly then he may feel defensive. We have taken things slowly and Benjy seems to be fine with this. It may be that as he becomes more settled and confident that he may try to assert himself more, but we have found Benjy to be a lovely houseguest.

Our dog has enjoyed having Benjy as a walking buddy.


Well, I have finally managed to get all of this onto Benjy's thread, even if it was in instalments. Me and computers are not a good combination sometimes.

We hope that Benjy is settled soon, we think he is lovely.
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02-01-2010, 09:00 PM
Another update from Bengy's fosterer's:

"Benjy's recuperation is going very well. He arrived physically three days ago but his personality arrived today. Today he woke up with a spring in his step and a real interest in the world around him, we are so happy for him.

Even though Benjy is feeling more like himself he is still polite and calm. Benjy is addicted to radiators. We keep our house warm but for Beny's sake it has been like a sauna. Even so he has taken to lying full length under raditors or actually standing and leaning on them (although they are too hot for me to touch).

Benjy is a dog who likes his comforts......addicted to radiators!


We took our dog to his weekly obedience class today. Benjy came along to watch. During the car journey Benjy either sat up and looked calmly out of the window or just lay down. Not a peep out of him.

We haven't left Benjy in the house for more than a few minutes but there has been no sign of fretting. While Benjy waited in the car during the class today(with a cosy bed, fleece coat and pet heat pad), he was very relaxed. He got a lot of admiration from the other dog owners and was happy to be fussed.

Benjy is sometimes a little timid when out walking, but for no obvious reason. It seems to be related to woodland and darkness. He is much more confident walking in streets in daylight. However, as Karl found, a little reassurance and a dog treat is usually enough to get him moving forward. He doesn't get defensive, he just stands still and looks worried. We haven't pushed him as he needs to recover from stress. Benjy the outdoor dog hasn't fully materialised yet, but it is very early days. We have seen glimpses of it when he has trotted along out in front, but he is not that confident yet. Poor Benjy has had a lot to adjust to and his confidence is increasing daily.

Out walking today Benjy met a cairn terrier and a collie very nicely. He had a lovely visit today from a new friend, Rocky the jack russell terrier. Rocky is a handsome, lively chap and we saw an energetic side of Benjy as they took turns to chase each other around the garden.

Benjy is now snoring away after a busy day. He is not up to full fitness yet and enjoys a nap after a walk or bit of play".

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07-05-2010, 03:26 PM
Delighted to report that this dogs has now found a forever home!
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