Ben Harris

GOODBYE DARLING BOY (2000 – 24/4/2013)

Linda says “My life with Ben came to an end on Wednesday, 24th April. I am absolutely devastated, he was my everything. God bless him, he brought a purpose to my life, and me to his”.

Soon after Ben’s passing, Linda sent us this inspirational email: “A friend had sent me kind words of compassion and the most beautiful poem:-

A WHITE FEATHER

You’ve gone from me, I miss you so
Your coat as white and soft as snow
Your big brown eyes with gentle gaze
Your loss has left me in a daze.
Alone I amble down the road
No-one to share my heavy load
Just one more day with you I crave
One special hug you always gave
Our days were always full of fun
You loved to walk and jump and run
Always faithful by my side
Matching me on every stride
One more look I yearn to see
One moment shared with you and me
One gentle kiss upon my face
Remembering, I slow my pace
My eyes well up, here come the tears
Where are you now to quash my fears?
I’d swap a fortune, that’s so true
For just a little sign from you
I pause and close my reddened eyes
I feel you near, I tell no lies
On my face I feel your kiss
Am I dreaming? What is this?
My eyes wide open now, I see
A pure white feather sent to me
I knew that you would send a sign
Of love forever yours and mine

Since I received the email, I had been looking out for a white feather.

Today, 4th May, there were a number of them in my sister’s garden but I thought perhaps they were from the pigeons that take the birds’ food.

Then, I was walking along a busy road yesterday and I saw one or two laying on the pavement but, again, I thought perhaps they were from the pigeons. This morning I emptied the vase of flowers that a neighbour had bought for me when she heard about the loss of Ben. The flowers were stood by his bed. I washed the vase and placed it back in the cupboard where I also kept Ben’s medical bits & pieces and I thought I must clear them away.

I opened the lid of an unused box of Stronghold and, would you believe, there was a tiny white feather under the flap of the box!!!!!!! I just couldn’t believe it. I had been so upset earlier and had made myself get on and do something, only to find this beautiful white feather. How could it have got under the flap of the box? I still can’t believe it.

Pauline told me that it was a very clear sign that Ben wanted me to know that he is still with me and will always be close by because he loves me very, very much. She said that he didn’t want to go but it was his time and that I can be sure he will always watch over me and, one day, he will be instrumental in finding another companion (or possibly companions) for me.

I can’t tell you how much all this has helped me to become stronger and I hope, by recalling this wonderful experience, it may help and give comfort to someone else who has lost their special friend.

God bless you Ben, I will love you forever”

16 months on, Linda is still missing her wonderful boy and talks to him all the time. The White Feather message continues to help her greatly and she still sees them everywhere but especially when she is working in the garden or is out walking with her sister.

A few special feathers sit on top of Ben’s urn ….

IT WAS VERY SAD NEWS (24.4.2013)

We were all very sorry to hear that the gorgeous Ben had gone to Rainbow Bridge and send our condolences and love to his devoted Mum.

Linda says “My life with Ben came to an end on Wednesday, 24th April. I am absolutely devastated, he was my everything. God bless him, he brought a purpose to my life, and me to his”.

HISTORY

BEN, SADLY, NEEDED A NEW HOME

Ben’s owners are heartbroken at having made the decision to part with him but realise that he needs a quieter home and one without cats. This is what they have said:

“We’ve made the extremely hard decision to try to place Ben in a better situation for him than ours appears to be. To be honest we think he is the sweetest, most patient, loving dog but perhaps our hectic household is a little too much for him. I think he would be happier living with an older dog or dogs as he loves to play for hours. Perhaps not an overly playful puppy though and ABSOLUTELY NO CATS!!!

Perhaps a person who is home more during the day and can continue to work with him. He has learnt a lot with us but could be brought a lot further along.

Perhaps no young children around until he is happier in himself. He loves his walks and is very good at recall and stays pretty close to you – best to keep an eye on him with some other dogs though.

Most of the time he is very happy to lie at our feet and sleep so he’s not very disruptive or destructive in any way. He is totally housetrained, neutered and micro chipped.

We decided that it would be best for Ben to be placed in a less stressful situation and have the best chance of a happy healthy life rather than have someone else complain about him (or lose a cat) and Ben suffering for it.

My gut feeling with Ben is that overall he is as gentle as they come but has been through the wars and is still trying to find his place. However, with two owners (who have different levels of experience with dogs so signals may get confusing for him), a puppy who plagues him (albeit in a loving way) and 3 cats he feels he has to guard against, perhaps the odds were always against him settling in properly with us.

I do think there is a wonderful home out there for Ben where he will be happier and more content, one that will allow his true wonderful character to shine through. Otherwise I couldn’t even contemplate letting him go. His happiness and wellbeing is our main concern and although it really upsets us, we have to do what is best for Ben to give him the best chance of a happy long life. Ben is the only one that matters in all this as far as we’re concerned.

Anyway, I just want to say that having had Ben for the past few months, and his gentleness and patience with all the vet visits and varying degrees of poking and prodding and eyedrops etc etc, I would in no way class him as an aggressive dog. He really is gorgeous and adorable and playful and loving and everything a retriever should be.”

UPDATE JULY 2009

Ben is currently being fostered by Andy in the West Midlands.

Andy says. “Ben has been with us nearly 3 weeks now, and has been a pleasure to have around. He was a little apprehensive at first, but soon relaxed and started to enjoy himself. He’s perfectly house trained, walks really well on the lead, and loves going in the car. He’s fine to be left on his own, and never causes any damage. Ben loves meeting people, especially children, and is turning into a proper fusspot.

His only small fault, is that if given a treat, ha can snatch and catch your fingers. But we’re working on this, and apart from the odd lapse he’s now quite gentle. I’d have no qualms about recommending Ben as a dog for anyone, apart from cat owners.

BEN HAS GONE TO HIS FOREVER HOME

Linda says. “Ben has settled in remarkably well and is thoroughly enjoying the snow!!! I took him down to Virginia Water on Saturday morning in the car to meet my ex’s 11 year old, Jonathan. Ben couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw all the people around with their dogs, he didn’t know where to look first!

He is eating well, having lots of TLC and enjoying romping in the snow. He’s excellent at re-call. He does pull on the lead when he first goes out but that calms down once he’s had the freedom to run.

I love him to bits, he’s everything I wanted.”

BEN’S STORY

Ben is 9 years old and was surrendered to Sandie by a family who no longer had any interest in him. He had been left to his own devices living in the garden and never taken for a walk. When he arrived Ben had a bald patch on either side of his hips which was Cheyletiella or walking dandruff as it is better known. The poor little thing was alive with these mites. Ben proved to have a great temperament, allowing Jan and Sandie to bath him three times to get rid of the awful smell and later grooming him cutting away some very matted hair. It was only the next day when he was taken to the vet for neutering that his condition was diagnosed.

Ben has been rehomed in Ireland to a lovely couple, Lorna and Brian who have a puppy springer Eve and a couple of cats. Here’s what Lorna has to say about Ben:

“Eve is still a little feisty brat so we end up walking separately because she just wants to jump on Ben’s head all the time. Towards the end of the walk (when some of her energy has burned off) she was happier to walk more quietly beside him without launching herself at him (in play) every 3 seconds.

Ben is quite interested in the cats, will bark madly and launch himself at the wall or them if he spots one. Poor cats’ nerves are frazzled. We’re trying to get him to rein this in a bit by distracting him when he spots one. Funnily enough he doesn’t seem to mind them too much in the house…only out in the garden, maybe he just wants to play! Hopefully that will all settle down eventually and he’ll share the territory. In the meantime they are kept well separated. He doesn’t appear to be overly aggressive towards them as his tail is wagging as he gives chase but I still wouldn’t like to leave him alone with one any time soon.

In general he is in great form. Great company, very placid and loving. Loves to be petted and drools very contentedly on your knee. Very fond of food with a special interest in whatever we’re eating, has a slight tendency to piddle when very excited, even indoors, but I feel that as he gets more used to the constant company and being with us, and regular meals and treats that should all settle down.