By Roy & Simona Benjamin
Beau was about 13 years old when he came to us. I had a call or text, could we take on a long-term foster for a senior dog? I conferred with my wife, and we knew we wanted to help. Our dogs were just two years old then, a male Chesapeake and female Labrador. We had fostered a couple of Chesapeakes before and I’ve owned and cared for senior dogs too.
Beau seemed very anxious when he came, he could not tolerate being touched without crying. He’d been in shelters for a while; now he needed a home and consistency. He had health problems that needed care several times a day. From the start caring for Beau was rewarding and entirely natural. Beau and I formed a special bond, and I felt a special obligation to Beau. Beau was old and needed me and frankly I was old too. This was only two months after my own diagnosis with metastatic cancer; I needed him; I needed to care for him. (I’m okay, treatable though not curable.). Being “of service” to Beau felt wonderful, it can just feel so good when we do a good thing. Caring for Beau helped make my life easier.
Beau recovered from his immediate health problems. He had arthritis and weak hind legs that made it difficult for him to rise and walk. But Beau was never a quitter. Beau bonded to me, and I bonded to him too. If I was there, I’d help him up, when I wasn’t he got up anyway to come look for me. Walking was hard for Beau but no matter where I was, he would find me. I’d feel a gentle push against my leg. He was good at silently gliding up behind me. In the evening he would often raise his head and look to find me, even if he was sleeping in my lap.
Many people told me that Beau was a miracle dog because he’d found a loving home. I’d feel proud I guess about that. Now I know the miracle was we’d found Beau when we needed him. He
was the source of so much energy in our family.
When you adopt a senior dog, especially one with health problems, the bond you share is special, I can’t explain it. Beau was my “Charge” in a 19th century meaning. He was more than simply my responsibility.
Beau and I spent every morning, afternoon and evening together on the deck, I drank coffee, and he was happy to have his chin on my foot. I used to tease him; I told him that now he had a “human and a home”, I meant it. I told him that for a few years we could grow older together and we did.
The two and a half years we had Beau have changed us all for the better. He struggled with his physical challenges with a smile. He’d come to me with asking if I could lift him up onto the couch,
his head in my lap.
I already had a Chesapeake bonded to me when Beau came. It was a balancing act, but they seemed to know they had to share me. They seemed to know that we had more love to share once
Beau was here. Our female Labrador groomed Beau every day.
We took our Chesapeake and Labrador to the beach yesterday. They carry the stress we gave to them during this time. Now in our little home, still with two young vibrant dogs we could not love
more, it is still and quiet. We’ll get through this.
I’m sure you know that we’d have Beau in our lives all over again. Our spirits were enriched by him, and we experienced the miracle have sharing our lives with him.
Just now we are raw and hurting but when we get another call or text, we’ll be all in. What else could anyone do?
