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 Jenny Relaxing |
 Jenny & Ben - Best Buddies |
by Terry Bryant
I am writing today to update our story on our goldens. I have already told you the story about Ben, and how we were lucky enough to adopt him in June of 1999. More on him later... I also told you about T. J., who joined our family in March of 2001. The two senior brothers enjoyed 10 months together, until Teej succumbed to liver cancer on January 18th of this year, shortly after his 12th birthday. We all miss him. I especially had a hard time coping with the loss of my sweet friend. Only days after losing Teej, I started longing for another golden. I thought it would fill the void. I also knew that Ben needed another friend.
I called my friend Pat Lynch, who was the wonderful woman responsible for bringing T. J. to us. I asked her if she thought it was too soon for us to adopt another golden. Without hesitation, she told me it is never too soon! So, we started our search. Scott and I both agreed that we wanted an older female this time. We checked out several leads, without luck. We had pretty much accepted the fact that we would need to be patient and wait until an older female became available. When Pat called us and told us about a female that needed a new home A.S.A.P., I was so excited! Then, Pat told us that she was NOT a senior. She was, in fact, A PUPPY! "NO WAY"! Scott said. "Too much work, not enough time." I was disappointed.
Then Pat told me the story about how the dog's owners had decided to surrender her because she was "out of control," and "just not like a golden should be," how she "chewed up everything," and was "a nuisance." I knew at that point that I really wanted to get her out of that home! So, I talked Scott into taking her on a trial basis, and maybe just fostering her until a good home became available. He agreed. Pat was relieved, and on Saturday, February 9th, 2002, we drove to Livermore to pick up "Shawnee."
We took Ben with us. We were all a little nervous. I have never had a young dog, and Scott knew how much time and energy goes into raising a puppy. I was afraid that she would be too much for Ben to handle, as Ben is about 10 years old. We were all just hoping for the best. When we arrived at the house, we were greeted by a sweet older female golden. No sign of the younger golden. The owner told us he would go out in the backyard and get her. Ben and the other golden sniffed each other for a bit, and then, out came "Shawnee." She was the cutest dog I have ever seen! She came right up to Scott, sat at his feet, looked up at him, and patiently swept the garage floor with her tail, as if to say, "okay, let's go now!" Ben did his macho dance around her, and she wagged and wagged. I was 100% positive in the first 30 seconds of meeting her that she was going to be MINE! And MINE she is! Within a half hour, we were on our way home with our new golden. She was exactly 15 months old, a far cry from the "older female" we had set out to adopt.
The first thing we did was give her a new name. "Jenny," or "Jenny-Lou." She took to that instantly, and it fits her to a tee. I began reading books on how to train a puppy. Jenny already knew the basics, but she had severe separation anxiety, and the first time I left her alone in the house with Ben to run to the store, she tore up 3 throw pillows, 2 books, and several stuffed animals! What a mess! We went out and bought a large crate, started her in obedience training, and now, 6 months later, she is perfect in every way! I feel so lucky to have been able to adopt her. Thank God for Pat Lynch, and NORCAL!
Here is the best part of my story....It's about Ben. Ben-Dog has always been a sweet, gentle dog. That is actually how he got his name. His foster family named him "Ben," after "Gentle Ben," the bear. Ben loves to play ball, go for his walks, and swim, but for the most part he has always been pretty mellow. He never really played with Teej, probably because Teej was older, and in ill health while we had him. So, we had never seen the playful side of Ben. Then.....came Jenny! POOF! Ben is now a puppy again! They romp and play together like litter-mates. It is the cutest thing to see! I never saw this side of Ben before Jenny came to us. It is so clear that Ben needed a younger golden to liven him up! I am amazed and pleased every day to see "The new Ben"!
Then, in late June, something awful happened. Our Ben-Dog was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma, a very aggressive form of cancer. He had a tumor removed, along with his spleen. It was so scary, and things looked pretty sad around our house for a few weeks. This form of cancer is nearly always fatal, as it spreads quickly, and it always comes back, even after the tumor is removed. Ben's prognosis is not good.
It has been 8 weeks since the surgery, and Ben is doing great! He seems healthier than ever! Our veterinarian, Dr. Baum, thinks Ben has a very good chance of hanging on for at least another year or more! Thank God for Dr. Baum and all of the staff at the California Veterinary Hospital here in Concord. Dr. Baum has always done so much for NORCAL, and I am so grateful to him for saving Ben's life.
I feel so blessed to have found Jenny-Lou. I truly believe that she is playing a huge part in Ben's recovery from cancer. She loves Ben so much, and I know that she is keeping him young and happy, and giving him so much to live for. She was there for Ben when he needed her most, providing healthy blood for him when he needed a transfusion before his emergency surgery. I take comfort in knowing that Jenny came into our lives when Ben needed a reason to live a longer, happier, healthier life, with his new best friend and sister by his side.
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