BABY BEN

What the Pet Store consumer never see's are dogs like Babycakes! and Emmy, the pups mothers.

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BABY BEN

UPDATE March 2004 see below

Benjamin is now almost 10 months old.

He 'sits, downs, stays, shakes a
paw, rolls over, and does the 'touch' command. He knows 'step, hill
up, hill down, and UP'

He's still a tad mouth when he plays, but getting better. He's going
through some nasty allergies right now...and he's scratching at
himself. We've been to the vets a lot lately on this but the first thing
i worried about was mange. BUT ..they did skin scrapings and ruled that
out. He's got NO fleas or anything....so they are NOW chalking it up
as 'seasonal allergies'. Might even just be the grass. But. .he's still
happy!! Nothing phases him!

He got jumped by another dog a few months ago...came up from
behind.. but didn't do any damage. Not even mentally. He got charged by
a huge mixed breed a few weeks ago...and he didn't startle. The dog
that recently charged him was just eager to meet him...so not
aggressive. Just happy. SO>..the other dog did no damage. And he is
not worried.

Ben's MRI results concluded that he is totally blind. he has no sight
and there is NO brain tissue in his knot. There is nothing they can do
for his eyes....and do not recommend removing the knot unless i want to
for cosmetic reasons. I will not put him through that...as it's a heavy
surgery that will be done unecessarily. Bone graph etc. Why???

He weighed in over 65lbs last month...so he may be getting close to 70
now. He's solid...not fat...just muscle and is in very very good shape.

He's a true American. .and if you look closely at the pics...he even has
an American collar. NOW though. .he's got an American leash.

We are going to get another puppy in the new year. A show
potential...but he will be Ben's 'seeing eye dog' too. Ben is
completely different in the company of another. He is much more relaxed
and independent. He doesn't circle around my legs at all.

He does have a buddy though a few houses down. Every night we walk
together..and he loves it!!

Anyway..I could go on and on and on. He's such a sweetie!
Hugs, and thank you again,
Tina & Baby Benjamin

Baby Ben's story.

Prayers answered!!!! Baby b was evaluated today 1/10 at the U of MO in Columbia by Dr Gordon.

The news is wonderful!! baby B has a Menioingoencepahlocele phew!!!! and is is so rare that the vets have only seen this once before in a pony!.

Baby B is now up for adoption, he is going to be a very large boy he is sweet and playful and although he is partially blind and will move to the right more than the left the Dr's say he should have a normal life span and nothing should be done. Just consider the bump on his head a little extra to love.

UPDATE March 7th 2002 Baby Ben leaves MO for his forever home in Canada.

Here he is with his rescuer Elaine Brandt this am she is so sad to see him leave but he is going to a wonderful home with a 6 months old, they will grow up together Ben loves children.

UPDATE March 2004

From: Tina None <prizmn@yahoo.org>
Date: Wed Mar 10, 2004 10:41am
Subject: Happy Gotcha Day Baby Benjamin

Hi Everyone...

Today is a special day..it has been 2 years since Benjamin came to us
from the US....It's been a wonderful and eventful 2 years.

For those that don't know...Benjamin is blind..he also has a knot on
his head, which is a Meningoencephelocele...like spina bifida, only in
the skull.

Recently...(January) Benjamin had a full blown seizure. This was the
first of any neurological problems he has had in his life. We are
entertaining the idea of a preservative free diet, and so far....we had
the 3 seizures in January...and there have been none since.

Benjamin's first seizure, luckily he was sleeping in his crate...and
there were no injuries...however...orging out of the seizure, he did
bite me on my hand causing some damage. i had 4 punctures all needing
stitches, and he broke the bone in the tip of my thumb. I have some
tendon damage...i can't bend my thumb all the way down. We both
recovered though..and in no way was it his fault.
His second seizure was quick....and the next day, he had his 3rd. His
third seizure...he injured himself. He was again sleeping in his crate,
and during the convulsions...his nail caught on the grate of the door,
and his entire nail flicked off leaving the whole quick exposed.
He has since recovered, missing one nail now on his paw...and
since..there have been no more.

In any case...off topic a bit..i wanted to share a picture with
you....a picture of then, and now. My how he's grown..and is an
absolute doll!

Hugs
Tina & Baby Benjamin