Benji, Benji, Benji ! ! !

By Ruthe
11-2003

Preface---

My dog Benji---- he is a true gentle little companion and today we are celebrating being roommates for 3 long years. Benji was given to me as a birthday gift from my 2 children, he was a 4 lb. 9 week old puppy, and he was the sweetest little bundle of snow white fluffy fur that I had ever seen with his little black button nose, big black ebony eyes and four little black foot pads, he's not only a people lover but this is a * Bichon Frise Trait, and this particular type breed charms everyone that they come into contact with, Benji does not know what a stranger is and will greet them as though he's known them forever.

I have had several requests lately to write his life story, I am sure you pet lovers will certainly relate to this version of true love and of course to read about a senior falling in love all over again at a ripe old age of 82 and with a dog named Benji. It can happen ! ! !

Benji, Benji, Benji ! ! !

Benji is 3 years old, and weighs in at 22 lb.. he is an adorable little grown up dog now with so much love still to give. He idolizes me and he continues to be my constant shadow, he seems to know everything I say to him, and of course ( I am bragging a bit here ) but I have never seen a brighter little dog in my life, and after having 2 children you all know how many pets we Mom's have gone through, and all the promises with them taking full care if only we let them keep them. I know you all remember those pleading testimonials, and how quick they always fizzled out, and who else gets their job? naturally their Moms quickly take over.

Living in a very warm climate with much humidity causing mold, pollen from so many citrus groves, and so many undesirable insects will usually bring on to all of us including the pets many different types of allergies, the lawns down here in Florida require much care in keeping them healthy and green and free from rot, insects and air pollution, so naturally they have constant chemical spraying, fertilizing, bug spraying and so many more chemicals to keep them pretty and landscaped, this is causing our pets to have many skin disorders because they all love snooping in the yards during their daily walks and with the morning wet grass soaking their feet and causing abrasions on all four of their feet keeping all of we pet owners on a monthly visit to the Veterinarians with us all paying absurd fee's with no results--- just a high cost visit plus a prescription for temporary relief with expensive medications as we leave the Clinic.

Well this old Mom got tired of it and decided to design a set of boots out of some water proof fabric for her dog, what a time I have had with getting him accustomed to wearing them, but I haven't seen a Veterinarian since. We are the laughing stock though of our neighborhood with Benji and his strange way of walking, and him begging me to take those boots off. I had no idea that there was dog boots on the market until some were found in a pet store, they were very expensive and was too big for Benji so they were returned but I realized I could make them after I saw how simple it was to do, fortunately I had a small piece of the water repellent fabric and also some Velcro. It was a fun thing doing this but very hard to get the right size, but finally finished them and was waiting for my daughter Lynn to come over, we put them on him and we both have never laughed so hard as we watched him trying to walk, his legs was going in all direction, and especially with his hind legs he was throwing them up above his body causing him to topple over and looking at us with such pity, and he didn't appreciate our laughter either---- poor little guy and then I started wondering by this time on how I was to get him to do this on his every day walks. I felt all my hard work in making these little booties was all in vain but what a money saver it has turned out to be for me, and especially Benji not hurting anymore with open sores on his feet.

It wasn't an easy thing getting them on him-- trust me, down on my knees and trying to keep him quiet , and him constantly pulling his feet away, and me trying to get them on securely, what a job this is--- but he finally after awhile become more tolerant and adjusted fairly good to these strange new things---- but it was definitely under protest---- * WOW I started out first with the booties on his 2 front feet and would walk him around in the house with both boots securely fastened, praying he would accept them, within a few days he soon became comfortable wearing them, and so far he is doing better each morning when I take him for very short walks, and he will come in so readily ( usually he never wants to take short walks and never wants to end them ). I really feel as though I have accomplished another mission, and after coming in from those morning wet walks I have noticed his 2 front feet are always dry as a bone and the abrasions are completely healed, and I feel so very good that I was able to go to these extra extent's, and it certainly isn't an easy pursuit getting them on him, reminds me of the cold freezing days while living up in Illinois when my 2 little kids had to be dressed in snowsuits, scarfs and especially *Galoshes how hard getting them over their shoes, and then as soon as I would get them ready to go --- you guessed it ! ! ! Mommie I have to potty--- at least Benji doesn't do that to me yet, but knowing Benji any day now he could pull that one on me too. Remember I mentioned him being very smart---- well you know how we brag about our pets. ahemmm ! !

Benji has another week, with wearing his 2 front boots but next week it will be another nightmare for him in getting accustomed to all 4 boots----whenever I mention booties he disappears and I can always find him hiding under the bed with a very long face----- old Mom here feels so sorry for him but I do have to admit---- having an extra $100.00 or so each month to spend for shopping finds me smiling a good bit. Oh-- but what we Moms have to go through with--- I thought retirement meant peace of mind. * WRONG

* Pet owners----can you honestly relate to this kind of unnecessary treatment we do to ourselves and especially in our senior years? I'll bet you will all agree that this is true love coming from a little devoted puppy or a little naive' kitten coming into your lives with nothing but genuine love to give and a kindness we seldom find any more, and how wonderful it makes a lonely person to know she is needed and most of all wanted. Bless you all,

Truly yours, Ruthe and Benjii