Adopted June 21, 2001

Adorable Benjamin was definitely going to die if we did not step in. He was dumped at a Maryland shelter because his owners did not want to keep him when their daughter went away to college. The shelter was full and did not have room for an owner turn-in. One of our best volunteers charged to the rescue. (Did she ever!)

I heard the story relayed from my trusted helper. "No one had time for him," she said. "Blah, blah, blah." Ain't it the truth? What is the matter with people? Dog after dog continues to pour into shelters and rescues, and sadly most suffer lethal fates -- because people don't fulfill their commitments to them. It truly makes me sick. 

Poor Benjamin was stuck at the kennel for quite a while before we were able to place him in a foster home.  Once there, he stole the heart of his foster mother. She recently wrote us the following letter.  

I just wanted to share with you an updated photo of  Riley, AKA Benjamin.  It was taken about a week ago. As you can see, he is one happy boy! 

Riley is still a bit shy, but he is slowly coming out of his shell. He now wags his tail almost all the time and has started to give gentle kisses. I'm almost positive he was abused previously because he still cowers occasionally whenever I go to touch him and sometimes even yelps when I haven't even touched him.  But he's starting to trust me more and more, and this behavior is becoming less and less frequent. 

Riley also does this little dance whenever I get home from work -- it's adorable! I've discovered that his favorite toys are stuffed animals, which he joyfully carries around the house wherever he goes.  

Riley has a dogsitter who comes in a spends an hour with him in the afternoon three days a week. Today we're also enrolling in a doggie day camp which he'll go to once a week. We also go to the dog park and spend time with his "cousin" Clancy, a Cocker my parents adopted a few months ago from CSAC. His was formerly named Stinger. 

Riley gets along wonderfully with other dogs, although he is still fascinated with my cat and chases her occasionally. Fortunately, she doesn't seem to mind too much. Anyway, I just wanted to update you.  Thanks again for your help in my adopting Riley!