Need a new best friend?

I was reading the newspaper yesterday morning and saw something that made my heart break…  Every once in a while here the Humane Society runs an ad in the paper with a selection of some of their current dogs and cats that are up for adoption.  It looks kind of like a line-up of mug shots.  I’m sure the goal is that some sap (like me) will see a doggy or kitty photo and decide that they can’t live without that poor animal.  And if you are a realist, you will wonder how many days that particular dog or cat has left.  Let’s face it, animal shelters are kind of like death row doggy jail.

My family adopted our dog Charlie from Animal Control in West Richland.  The guy there mentioned that this was not Charlie’s first go around with them.  Apparently every time he got adopted he ran away (what do you expect if you don’t have a fence?) and this was Charlie’s third time there.  He also mentioned that his days were numbered.  When we first got Charlie he was a mess- he needed a bath and a haircut.  Here is what we call his “baby picture” (even though he is probably about a year old) because it was taken right after we took him home from the pound. 

Charlie on Adoption Day

We have always described Charlie as kind of a “Benji” dog, because he reminded us of Benji from the movies.  The papers from the pound called him a “Terrier Mix” and our vet concurred.  (Better sounding than just “mutt” I suppose.)  Actually, out of any one kind of terrier breed, he seems the most similar to a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, but that’s just a guess.  Anyway, he has turned out to be the best dog ever.  He is extremely smart, the sweetest creature I have ever met, and he makes us laugh all the time.  I could list a bunch more of his wonderful qualities, but I don’t want to embarrass myself.  We have had him for 8 years now, and I can’t imagine life without him.  He really is part of the family.  So, here is what made me sad when I was looking at that ad in the paper:

Benji's Mug Shot

Benji looks just like Charlie.  Benji’s little mug shot is seared into my brain now and I literally couldn’t stop thinking about him all day.  I know how much Charlie hated “jail” and what a rascal he seemed like when we first took him home, but the gamble sure paid off.  I know that we can’t adopt Benji, but that doesn’t mean I can forget about him.  I don’t know if Benji is the same kind of dog as Charlie, or if he would have any of the same characteristics as Charlie does, but come on-  don’t you think the odds are good?  So… Anyone need a best friend?  Anyone ready to own the best darn dog they will ever have?  Benji needs a home.  Benji needs to get rescued (for which he will be eternally grateful). Benji is waiting for someone to love him… is it you?

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