28/11/2012
We received an update from the adopters of one of our former foster dogs. We helped rescue him while on a neglect investigation where he was living chained in a junkyard. He looks pretty darn happy now, though! For photos of where he used to live and videos of him, visit... http://aear.org/pets/view/593/cattle-dog-labrador-retriever-mix/bennett
Thank you to all of you who sent in your animal's updates. It made my night, day, year! Keep 'em coming whenever you'd like. It's like the vitamin shot we need to keep doing what we are doing. Not only do I read these posts but so do so many more of our dedicated volunteers.
So, I have to do an intro to this one. About three years ago or so we were doing many, many investigations in the North Chicago area. There was this one investigation we went on that literally almost made me physically ill from the sadness of it. I obsessed about the dogs and had sleepless nights thinking about how to save them.
Two dogs were living in a gravel junk yard. One was chained on one side and the other chained to the other side. (Obviously for protection of some sort.) The yard was not fenced in and it was in a bad, bad part of town. The dog's shelter was old car parts they slept under. Their water bowl was an overturned plastic hat and a filthy bucket.
Without going into too much detail all I can tell you is that I prayed hard for those dogs. I knew their lives were hell. I couldn't get the looks on their faces out of my head, of doom of helplessness of giving up. I was determined to save them...which if you understood the animal laws was not as cut and dry as you might think.
Well, one Sunday we went into the police department before heading out to do investigations and follow ups and I just felt this light around me that day...like a energy...like things were going to go smoothly that day.
Just hours later, after a series of events and lots of help from the local police those two dogs were saved. I could have ended doing anything else with animals at that point and knew that even if I did stop I would have saved two precious souls who were doomed to a life of fear and loneliness, owned by neighborhood thugs and drug dealers.
The dogs were so messed up in the head when we got them it took months of rehab to get them to trust. Both dogs were adopted to wonderful families and we are blessed to hear from their families every now and then. Bennett (Benny) and Clark (after Superman) will always be in my heart as one of the best saves of my career.
Here is an update from Benny's mom: Hi, Sandy! Here are some pics of our sweet Bennett. He has grown from a timid, somewhat detached and fearful pup into the SWEETEST, well adjusted lovey bear. He worships our other dog Rudy, she is literally like his wife. They are inseparable . All morning long they wrestle and run around our fenced in yard, nap from 11 am til about 3, then go for a big walk and wrestle some more.
Benz loves everybody and adores all dogs (our Rudy does NOT like any dogs besides Ben, so in that respect, he has really been a blessing). I just took him to a Good As Gold fundraiser and he got to romp with a bunch of goldens:-) . Our daughter Katie, who had adopted him comes at least once a week to spend the noght with Benny. We often watch his video on your sight and still actually weep. It sickens us to see the horrid life this angel endured. He is still nervous during thunderstorms. I have bad thoughts on what i'd love to do to the terrible man who owned him. We are so grateful to you and your crew for caring enough and putting this blessing into our lives. He is one happy, spoiled little man, thanks to you. Thanks for letting me send you pics.
Bonnie
