Benjamin Part I

Last Tuesday morning, we found this sweet boy in one of the south paddocks. Someone must have dropped him over the fence. He stayed in the paddock next to the road most of the day, but would go to the fence line now and then and look around as though he was expecting someone to come back for him. Whenever someone approached, however, he would run into the next paddock. We opted to feed him – he was very hungry – and decided to give him more time.

I was concerned that he may be sick or injured as he laid down the majority of the day. I have named him Benjamin.

On Wednesday morning, Benjamin was still under the shelter in the paddock by the road. He kept his distance, but came a bit closer than previously. I fed him and was able to get a Capstar in him as he had been scratching terribly. We had a horrible storm and I was so worried about him. After the storm, I went down to check on him and he was fine. I fed him dinner and this time, he approached me instead of running the other way.

I sat for a bit while he ate and thought how sad it is that anyone would abandon him, if that is what happened.

We have no explanation as to how he could have gotten onto the property for when we walked the perimeter, there is no place under which he could have dug.

On Thursday morning, I thought we might be able to get Benjamin in the golf cart by the end of the day. He might have made it had it not been for the rain. On Friday, Benjamin and I had our first nose bump – actually it was a nose to hand bump, but that still counts! He kind of ‘mumbles’ and looks like he’s smiling at times. Sadly, he has indications of bite injuries that are healing over and he’s very reactive with a sudden or new noise – especially coming from behind him.

It appears that he has not had a very good life. We believe he may be a Belgian Malinois or a Malinois/Shepherd cross.

Benjamin is now doing much better at overcoming his anxieties! Now that I’ve had a really good look at him, up close, I can see many puncture marks all over him. Some are hard to see because of his coat – but they are there. But he’s going to be okay.

Sincerely,
Theresa