“Ben has soul.” Our dear friend Sonny has said this since the very first time that she met him.
And she is exactly right. He is incredibly special. There are times that I think he is an angel in a dogs disguise…
…albeit one with a very specific and unerring sense of humor.
His joie de vivre is off the charts! Remi has said that he can hear me laughing while playing with Ben everyday and that is true…
…but he also gives us both an enormous amount of comfort and peace…
…that is rooted in unending love.
It is amazing to think that he turns nine today. Of course it only seems like yesterday since we brought him home.
He has been through a lot of changes since then. This is his third home, we have moved from city to country and not to mention the boat-rocker that was the adoption of Kipling, to who he has been a loyal companion, one to inspire trust at every level…
…for that is his true specialty. He has convinced people that are petrified of dogs to give them another try and dogs that are petrified that nothing bad will happen in his fine company.
I love his easy smile, liquid deep eyes and sly tail wag. You are such a charmer, Ben.
I tried to take an official portrait of him (see above) but he was too intent on napping in the afternoon sunshine to pose. Who am I to disrupt that? Most especially on a birthday…
Happily there is also this photo, taken on our morning walk today where he was proud to have found an extra big stick for the return trip. It is daily project that he takes rather seriously…
…and is one of the few “typical” aspects of this delightfully unique dog.
I love you, Bidou.
Happy Birthday mon Ben!
I will leave you with two of my very favorite Ben posts:
and the classic
Happy Birthday beautiful boy, kisses and love sent your way from Australia. Suzana xxx
How sweet he is! I love that he collects sticks. Just a desliscious animal. You see it in his face. Sweetness abounds!
Sandra Sallin http://www.ApartFromMyArt.com
Happy birthday to a prince among dogs and wishing him many, many more, with love from Down Under.
HB Ben! You are a darling. Thanks for the beautiful photos.
Ben and Barbie's birthdays are but days apart! Happy birthday to handsome Ben. He is a noble gentleman and the perfect brother and guardian to his more challenging younger brother.
OH Ben, if you had a little finger you certainly would have me wrapped around it… He is just like my adorable Labrador, Princess Della was, she too brought home the biggest sticks or more like whole branches she could find, those eye tactics, he has it all.
Happy Birthday Ben.. & many more. Just read your 2012 link posts,… ADORABLE .
Only a golden! Love your tribute and your photos. Thanks for sharing.
Happy, Happy Birthday to Ben! Oh, yes he has soul…no doubt about it!
I cannot ever imagine life without one or two and sometimes three of these four legged Angels! I feel so privaleged to be able to make that connection, albeit fleeting.
Curious about the stick collection,too! What does he do with them? Are they for a game of fetch or just find and carry around?
Wishing Ben many more fine days and naps in the sunshine..and treasured sticks, T xx
What a beauty he is! Joyeux anniv' Ben!!!!!! xoxoxo
AUGURI BEN BEN…………….HAPPY HAPPY DAY!You do remind me a bit of my WINSTON a CARDIGAN CORGI.It is in the eyes the way they look at YOU.I love that he collects sticks………….do they make it all the way home?You should do a PHOTO of the stick pile!!!Or does he take it down and break them up to chew……………regardless, HE IS A LOVE OF A DOG!Anyone can see THAT from his PHOTOS………………….XOXO