11/05/2024
To know Ben the Dog was to love him instantly. He was a dog who captured hearts effortlessly, and those who met him couldn’t help but fall for him. We here at SAVES were lucky enough to meet Ben at the end of October, and we wanted to share his story (thanks to his wonderful owner, Ryan). ❤️ 🐾
Ben had several nicknames: Ben the Dog (to avoid confusion with his friend Ben the Sailor), Knucklehead, Chunky Monkey, and Piggy. Weighing in at 155 pounds, all of which seemed to be a bottomless stomach, Ben was enormous in both size and personality. He loved everyone he met, greeting them with kisses and nudges toward the snack bin. If someone happened to walk by him without taking the time to pet him, Ben would bark and hop up and down, often startling a few strangers. But despite his imposing presence, he was a gentle giant. Some people might have described Ben as stubborn, but it was simply that he sometimes forgot how to speak English, especially when he wasn’t ready to come inside, when he was exploring the neighbor’s yard, or when he suspected Grampa Pat might be hiding more snacks.
Three of Ben’s greatest joys in life were eating snacks, visiting Nana’s house (to eat snacks), and visiting Grampa Pat (to eat snacks). Ben also enjoyed walking the trails and fields around Lake Runnemede and became a big hit with the rec center day campers during one of their fishing expeditions.
Ben came to live with his forever dad, Ryan, in March 2024. He had been rescued from a backyard breeder in Maryland, along with five other Rottweilers. The first six years of Ben’s life were spent chained up and used for breeding. Thanks to “For the Love of Dog,” an NH Rottweiler Rescue, Ben and Ryan were brought together. With Ryan, Ben experienced new things like learning how to navigate stairs, sleeping in a bed, and sneaking fresh steaks off the counter when no one was looking. Despite being six years old, Ben still had the tendencies of a puppy and had to learn a variety of new skills. It was a challenge for both of them, but they grew and learned together.
Later that summer, Ryan injured his back and was forced to stay home for an extended period of time. Although it was an incredibly painful experience, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. During his recovery, Ryan was able to spend quality time with Ben, who was a constant source of comfort. There were times when Ryan had to sleep on the floor, and Ben would lay next to him, snuggling and offering companionship. Ben often served as a support, helping Ryan get off the floor or couch. They spent many mornings walking around Lake Runnemede, with Ben encouraging Ryan to get out of the house and exercise. Little did Ryan know, while he was feeling sorry for himself, he was actually being blessed with precious time spent with such a magnificent soul as Ben.
The moments Ryan cherished the most were the walks around the prison farm property with Ben’s brother, Ozzie. Ben’s favorite activity was stealing Ozzie’s stick when he wasn’t looking and parading around proudly like a peacock. Ryan’s heart was always full when he was in Ben’s company.
On October 7, 2024, Ryan came home to find Ben’s neck swollen, filled with fluid, and his breathing labored. Ben wasn’t himself. After an hour and a half drive to BEVS Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Williston, Ryan and Ben spent a long night there, returning home with a bag full of antibiotics—the only snack Ben didn’t find appealing. Over the next two weeks, Ben’s condition worsened. By October 25th, things had taken a turn for the worse, and they traveled to SAVES, where they learned that Ben most likely had lymphoma and that his time on earth was limited.
Despite his illness, Ben’s love never wavered. Even as he grew weak, he still made sure to show affection, slobbering all over Grammy Lisa and his beloved Nana Jean. His spirit shone through, even on his darkest days. Ben passed away on October 25, 2024, while eating chicken and milk bones out of Ryan’s hand. He took his last breath in Ryan’s arms, but not before winning over every staff member at SAVES with his silly personality and unquenchable love for treats.
Ryan was deeply grateful for the time he had with Ben, a dog who showed him so much love and companionship.
When Ryan returned home and sat down to write about Ben, he saw a birthday card on the screen—a card he had designed with a picture of Ben helping Nana make grilled cheese. Ryan took it as a sign, a message from Ben telling him that everything was okay.
Ben may have left this world, but his memory, his love, and the joy he brought to everyone who knew him would last forever.
We are so grateful to have been a part of Ben the Dog's journey and he will have forever made an impact on each and every one of our staff. ❤️
