In memory of BEN - much loved and never forgotten friend, companion, protector and constant shadow

BEN was our 20 year old black Lab/GSD crossbreed. It is hard to believe that he died 7 years ago - sometimes it feels as if he is still in the room with us. Ben was a really special once-in-a-lifetime dog!

Some 13 years ago, Ben was carried to our door by some local teenagers who had found him in the mud of the Thames foreshore near our home. He had broken ribs, smashed teeth, was painfully thin,  covered in mud and seemed barely alive. He had been beaten, kicked, starved and tied up with wire before being thrown into the Thames to drown. Luckily for him, the tide was out at the time and he was spotted half-buried on the mud by some of the local kids. Despite his hardships and injuries, his spirit was never broken and his response to us and the sparkle which stayed in his eyes through all his pain convinced us to ignore the vet’s suggestion that he be ‘put to sleep.’ Instead, slowly we nursed him back to health. His recovery was remarkable, astounding both us and the vet.

His recovery was complete when in 1995 he beat 7000 other rescued dogs to become Eukanuba Rescue Dog of the Year. He became a PAT dog and his regular visits brought joy to the residents of our local Senior Citizen’s Home.  Despite his experiences, he loved people. He did hate violence however, and on one occasion drove off an attacker who was viciously beating up a gay man who lived near us. For a while we entered him in obedience competitions, but his eyes and ears began to fade and he spent his last few years in well-deserved retirement.   He began to grow weaker and on 21st November 2000, he suffered a series of strokes which left him incontinent and in pain. Our vet said that he might have recovered and lived on for a short while, but we felt that we could not put him through further suffering just because we couldn’t face losing him and so we took the heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep. No matter how many wonderful dogs we may have in our lives no-one will ever replace Ben in our hearts and in our home.

Rest in peace Ben - we will never forget the love you brought into our lives. We know you will be waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge when our time comes to join you!

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