Gentle Ben and Gina from Have a Nice Walk enjoying a day at the park
A challenging part of my veterinary practice is losing a patient to illness, injury, or other life-altering circumstances. As I work with many patients on a life-long basis, the potential for their loss is something faced during juvenile, adult, or senior years. Yet, the reality that beloved companion animals may no longer coexist in our homes is a more tangible issue for owners having senior pets and those suffering from chronic ailments that affect their quality of life.
Recently, I had to send a sweet pooch named Gentle Ben across the rainbow bridge. He’s got quite the story of good fortune in finding himself in the household of well-meaning owner having the best intentions to help a dog that may not otherwise be perceived as highly adaptable as a result of his senior status.
I’ll turn the telling of Gentle Ben’s tale over to one of my favorite clients and people, his devoted human mother Jane Lynch.
One fine day while shopping at my local CVS, I ran into Peter from Have A Nice Walk. Out of nowhere I said "If you happen to hear of a senior dog who would be like to spend the rest of his life on the couch with Olivia (my then 15-year-old Lhasa Apso), I'd like to meet him".
By the time I got home there was an email from Hillary Rosen of A Purposeful Rescue with video and photos of the sweetest senior Belgian Malinois they called Gentle Ben. I said, "I should like to meet him now."
Peter came over that evening with Hillary and Gentle Ben. He was already an old guy and as he painfully limped up my stairs my heart swelled. I also thought, "Yay, a project!" I would get him healthy.
Gentle Ben exuding positive energy even in times of health hardships
And with the help of Dr. Patrick Mahaney, Gentle Ben did get healthy. Within a couple of weeks, my sweet Ben was running and chasing the ball with Peter and Gina at the dog park. Ben and Gina's connection turned into one for the ages. Ben ADORED Gina and only left her side to chase the ball she'd thrown for him.
Gentle does not begin to describe this boy's nature. He was a deeply feeling creature, full of love and empathy while at the same time goofy; he had a permanent smile on his beautiful face, the longest tongue is ever seen on a dog, and followed Jen and me all over the house adhered to our sides and whacking at our hands with his snout for a rub. We couldn't get enough of him nor could he of us, which melted our hearts.
And speaking of Jennifer, never was a dog more loved, nurtured and cared for than Jen was for Ben. She cooked all his food everyday when he was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and boy, could this guy eat. When Ben became unable to run at the park anymore and eventually unable to walk on the floors, she invented shoes for him made out of sticky medical tape that helped him keep his footing.
Our Ben left us on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with his head in my lap, Jen at his side surrounded by his people; Dr. Mahaney, Phil, Gina and Ellen. And of course Olivia the Lhasa apso and Auggie the cat.
We'd had him for just shy of two years.
It was a privilege to be your Moms, Gentle Ben. Our cup runneth over.
Although Gentle Ben is no longer with us, he made quite an impression during the years I knew him. He’ll be remembered in perpetuity and missed everyday. Have you lost a pet who was near and dear to your heart? Feel free to share your perspective in the Comments section.
Dr. Patrick Mahaney
Thank you for reading this article. Your questions and comments are completely welcome. Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (@PatrickMahaney) and follow my adventures in veterinary medicine by liking Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets on Facebook. Copyright of this article (2016) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.