Remington’s Story
When Remy was 9, he kept “running away”, according to his owners. Animal control would pick him up, bring him to the shelter, his owners would come get him. His owners eventually surrendered him to the shelter. He was there for two months before coming to Ben’s Place in April 2023.
Remy was a happy dog. Right from our first meeting at the shelter, Remy had this smile on his face, this excited wag to his tail, that was just so endearing. That was him, his baseline: whether he was outside playing with his favorite toys – his blue “snake”, his Kong – or with his nose to ground, running back and forth across the yard following a scent, Remy just had this enthusiastic joy about him that you couldn’t help but laugh with and love.
Remy loved attention. Cuddling, petting, belly-rubs, he could never get enough. You could pet Remy for hours but the minute you stopped he’d look at you like, “What? You’re stopping? Why??” His fur was so soft. When you loved on him, he’d get this blissful look on his face, he’d close his eyes and sigh and you could just tell he was in heaven.
Remy spent his time here being so active, so playful, so happy. One morning mid-December, he didn’t come in for his breakfast. I looked outside and he was just lying, far out in the middle of the snow-covered yard, his back to the house, staring out at the fields. He declined so quickly after that. He barely ate, his movements were slow and stiff, and that face that was once so full of smiles and joy, now just looked sad and tired.
On his last day, we took that last trip to the vet. I sat on the floor with Remy, the vet sat opposite us. At one point Remy, with a slow wag of his tail, shuffled over to the vet, gave him a little kiss on the chin, then came back to lie beside me. That was so Remy.
He passed with his head on my lap, my hands on his fur, words of love in his ear.
He is so very, very loved.
He is so very missed
Over the holidays, Monkey celebrated the One Year Anniversary of his Rescue Day.
Of course he got to enjoy cake and ice cream on his special day.
Every day over this past year my little Monkey has done something to make me smile. Whether he’s looking at me, then looking at the treat cupboard, then looking back at me, or he’s prancing in circles barking for his supper, or he’s giving sloppy kisses that land pretty much anywhere on your face EXCEPT where he was aiming. . . Monkey is just so adorable and such a little goofball, every day that little dog does something to make me smile and fill me with joy.
Thank you CNY SPCA for trusting me with his care, and thank you Amanda Adams for all the love you’ve shown him. Monkey is such an important member of the Ben’s Place family. I love him so very very much.
Happy Rescue Day Anniversary, Monkey!!
Mama’s (aka Nibs) Story
Mama was a senior when she was surrendered. She spent 15 months in different shelters before finally coming to Ben’s Place in May 2024.
For the longest time, Mama was withdrawn. Guarded. Watchful. Not stressed but not engaging, just quietly sitting on the periphery, watching.
She was smart. She quickly learned the routines. She was well-mannered, house broken. She tolerated the other dogs, but didn’t engage with them. Same with me. She’d freeze when I petted her, clearly not enjoying it. She had her favorite spots - tucked under the breakfast bar, in the small laundry room - that she spent most of her time in, away from the pack/the main room. I put pillows down for her and that’s where she spent most of her time just resting, just watching.
As the summer progressed, slowly, so slowly, she began to relax. She’d spend more time outside. She’d follow the other dogs. She’d wag her tail when she saw me, stand next to me and lean into me. She never hung out in the main room with us, but she’d wag her tail and “smile” at me when I’d walk by.
She gradually began to enjoy being petted. She’d stand there, smiling, bob tail wagging. I made sure to give her a warm “good morning Mama” every morning, along with some cuddles. It was during one of those cuddles in late October that I noticed a lump in her abdomen. The vet thought it was cancer.
She had a really good November, was her usual self. Then suddenly at the end of the month, she wasn’t so good. It was so hard; it had taken her so long and she’d come so far, I just wanted her to have more time. More time with us, more time in her home, more time being loved and being part of a family. Letting her go hurt, it hurt so much, but she left this world being held in my arms, being told how loved she was.
I know it can’t make up for what came before, but I hope her time at Ben’s Place let her enjoy some of the good things this world has to
Ever wonder what giving looks like at Ben’s Place?
Here’s just one view!
Thank you, everyone, for your ongoing support. I’m every day humbled and grateful for your generosity and kindness.
❤️🐾 🙏 🐾 ❤️
What profound lessons they teach us.
Life is great, the days are easy.
And then everything changes.
Rest in Peace, Little Sasha. Rest in Peace.
Does your Monday need a boost?
How about some shots of Monkey being. . .well. ..Monkey!!
That always makes me smile!
Exciting news!
The Amazon truck was heavily laden this week! Thank you Shelley Bailey, Denise Birnbaum, and the anonymous supporter behind the Blue Buffalo kibble.
I‘m also happy to announce Ben’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary is now a registered 501c3 non-profit charity! It is my hope this status will make it easier to continue the mission and rescue more seniors. If you would find it meaningful to support the sanctuary, donations can be made through the website, www.bensplaceseniordogsanctuary.com
Donations are tax deductible and are gratefully received!
Thank you, everyone, for your ongoing support. I’m grateful for your generosity and kindness. ❤️ 🐾 🙏
Rescue Day!!
Welcome Jerry (aka Casper)!
Jerry is 12(ish?). He was found as a stray in the outskirts of Syracuse. He spent 2 months at the CNY SPCA shelter without any interest; no applications, no one came to see him.
It’s for dogs like Jerry, these sweet seniors that get overlooked, that I started Ben’s Place. I’m so happy to have this lovely boy in our pack. I can’t change his past, but I promise his future is going to be SO MUCH BETTER!
Welcome Home, Jerry.
RESCUE DAY!!
Welcome Sasha!
Sasha is a 12 year old Pomeranian who, despite her cataracts and skin issues, has lots of energy and LOVES her new yard.
A big thank you to the team at Susquehanna SPCA for caring for this sweet girl.
For everyone who worked so hard to save it, this is
Stanley’s New Life.
Watching Walter bop around the sanctuary always makes me smile.😊
I hope it does the same for you!
Ben’s Place is dedicated to providing a safe haven for senior dogs by rescuing them from shelters and giving them a loving place to call home.
