Benny - a true Ibizan Maneto.
More than three months ago we adopted Chino, now called Benny. Maybe some of the readers of the ACE site will still remember him. He is the dog that was taken to the killing station not once, but three times, and who each time managed to escape and run back home, where he was definately not welcome. An employee of the killing station saw this happen and rescued him. And so he came into the safe custody of Fabienne.
Because we were looking for a dog I checked the ACE website every day. We had two dogs in October 2005, both adopted from ACE. Unfortunately, after 8 years our beloved Bobby died. (See the obituary on In Memoriam, November 2013) Molly, was left alone and so we allowed ourselves a new dog. This dog was definately going to come from ACE. So night after night I scanned the site. I wish I could have adopted them all. But because Molly who is a little afraid of large dogs, I needed to choose a smaller dog.
Eventually I had a list of 30 individuals, which was too many. After much deliberation I reduced that to three. Actually, I already knew - it had to be Chino. Every evening after looking at the site, I always finished up by going back to Chino. I read his story maybe 50 times. I looked to ACE for advice. Which of the three would best suit us? Yvonne, with her hunting instinct, Manuel, a sweet house dog and Chino, perhaps traumatized by the events in his life.
First I chose Manuel, easy house dog, but a day later, no, it had to Chino, despite my guilt towards Manuel. But it's true: you can not save all the dogs in the world, but you can save the world for one dog. The home visit was very positive and pleasant. We were given the go ahead to adopt Chino. He would be our 9th dog. The weeks dragged. His basket was ready and Molly must already have heard more than 20 times that we would soon be picking up her new boyfriend from the airport.
Finally the day arrived. Chino landed at Eindhoven. I saw it immediately. This was not a pathetic traumatized little dog, the nasty time had been long forgotten and overcome thanks to the good care of Fabienne and her staff. This was a true Ibizan Maneto. Maybe a little bit of something else, but not much.
The acquaintance with Molly went smoothly, the ride home, too. He watched everything his eyes taking in all the lights in the dark outside. At home he did not pee outside. When we went inside he ate right away and when he had done, drank a bit, tried his basket and fell asleep. And so did we. Molly pretended she had known him for years.
He had a good night's sleep. The next morning, he hadn't done anything in the house. We did a tour of the park near our house, with Molly. There was a bunny - Benny stood on his hind legs and barked loudly. Moments later a deer appeared and, oh, that seemed like a delicious morsel. You could also see him working out a recipe for venison! The ducks in the pond were also not to be sneezed at. It was so exciting that there was no time to pee.
Later in the morning he finally got round to it and peed a big lake and a poo. That was successful.
In the afternoon, he was on the lead in the garden. Molly was as always loose. The first, best molehill had to be excavated instantly; he stuck his nose there snorting like a horse. Molly looked interested.
The next day Benny was allowed loose with Molly in the fenced garden. He began to run and to track, then a passing rabbit flew by, with Benny and Molly after it.You could see Molly think that this was quite good. In all the years I have had dogs, sometimes 3 or 4 at a time, I have never seen such a passionate hunter. as Benny. After he'd been running around for several hours, with no sign of listening, I contacted ACE.
Odette called me right back and took the time to give me advice. Benny should not be allowed loose in the garden, we needed to define an specific area where he could run and leave it for six months.
That was not a success; jumping over a meter high mesh was no problem. Because I still had work to do in the garden I put his harness on with a long line attached to it and fixed it in the area where I was working.
After less than three minutes I saw Benny from the corner of my eye running off. His empty harness lay beside me. I managed to catch him and put the harness on again, this time more firmly and tight.
Yes, even faster than the first time got free and he rushed off. He'd bitten through the line!
So then I let him walk. After a few days it improved. He began to listen, especially after we had set fixed times of food and tasty snacks.
After some weeks Odette inquired how it was going. By then there was already a clear improvement, and now, after another three months Odette again inquired after him (something I appreciate very much at ACE) and I was able to let her know the following:
With my favourite toy.
Dear Odette,
Thanks for asking yet again how it's going with Benny.
Well, it's excellent.
The itching is sorted; he appeared to be very sensitive to a greasy pate which our other dog eat - we stopped it for his good, not because he didn't want to eat it. A week after we stopped giving it to them, the itching was gone.
His hunting is excellent! His score in the garden: 1 rabbit, 1 mole and 2 mice and then most probably other things I have not seen.
Fortunately, he is not overwrought with it.
Each morning after coffee he can go in the garden, and he knows it. Before coffee he has already been to the park t do his business, together with Molly. Then I drink coffee while he and Molly watch and then they go in the yard, at least, to sniff around. Molly then comes back in for a bit of quiet time. She is afer all more than 11 years old.
But once Benny smells a trace of something he yelps and that's the signal for Molly to help him.
Among the ornamental grass or other plants you see one white tail and one brown tail wagging.
I now have a stock pile of soil to fill the holes they make while excavating for moles etc.
The garden soil is flying for meters around in their handiwork.
Frankly, in the first weeks after Benny's arrival I had the feeling that I didn't knw where to start.
We have a fenced garden - on 1 side a 2 x meters high fence, on the other sides mesh over 1 meter high. Never was there a dog, big or small, who has got over it. Well a few got under it , but after a few times we discovered where the weaknesses were and sorted them out.
Benny immediately started to exploit the weaknesses, he found three more, to dig himself out.
When we closed these off, he climbed / jumped over the wire, swam through the ditch and went on his own hunt through the park. Once he was gone for hours. I saw him, he heard me, but did not listen. Only then, after some hours, a man with a dog came along to where Benny was and we were able to "capture" him.
That night I couldn't get to him. The evening ritual of eating together, even just a piece of cheese, was quickly done that night then into his basket and tucked up.The previous dogs, 8 of them, also listened sometimes, but they never ignored me. But happily his behavior has now turned positive. The fence is still sometimes difficult when he doesn't listen immediately, but it will come eventually.
He is very sweet, even with unknown visitors and he is social towards other dogs. Molly is his role model, he is happy to be under her paw. It is still regrettable that a dog will never be able to run loose outside our property. He will not be running loose behind me, my shadow at my heels the way I thought it would be.
But we're very fond of him. He is also watchful. When people are running at night on the road in front of our house he catches on, growls and crouches listening attentively; something that I find very nice. Also, I think it is a sign that he feels he belongs here and feels "at home". He is very inquisitive. He obeys: sit, stay, foot, and come to your basket. The latter is (of course) in the very best in the room! But I find it amazing that these basic things, flawlessly sit in his little head, after a few weeks.
We have even been to the vet with him, but that was just to get the repeat injection for Weil's disease.
Benny seems healthy. His appetite is great. The vet has already said that we must be alert to Spanish ailments. We will certainly check his blood if you think this is a good idea.
I hope it all works out in Spain. Fabienne is having a very hard time. We donated some money, some time ago, but more is obviously still very much needed.
Thank you for all the interest in Benny - I'm happy to send some pictures. The green dragonfly toy he's playing with was one he got on the day he arrived, and it remains his favourite.
Sincerely,
Francine, owner Will, Molly and Benny
