I adopted Benny as a birthday gift to my husband.  He would always hint about getting a dog and I decided to take the big plunge as my children were all grown up and one has left home.  I thought that I could commit myself more to this huge responsibility as I have more time and more patience and I don't care as much about beautiful floors or a perfect house. 

Benny has become my third child and I can't imagine losing him now which we came close to when we gave him a bath outside and Benny seized the chance to run free.  Schnauzers are not the kind of breed to just stay or come when you call them back.  I can still see him running down the 200-foot driveway full of soap with his head turned backwards to look to see if we were running after him.  Boy can this dog run.  Today I look back and laugh but that day I cried while my husband got in the car and drove after him because he certainly couldn't run as fast as Benny; he is after all getting older.  Needless to say that we got our Benny back and I can say that next time he gets a bath it will be in the garage with the doors down.

We know that Benny came from a good home because he is sweet with children and has a wonderful disposition (attached is a picture of Benny with our new grandson, Evan).  Benny knows how to get what he wants just by putting his head on my lap and looking up at me with his beautiful brown eyes.  Who can resist?  He is spoiled and when we come home from work we are the spoiled ones with all his kisses.  Benny will be graduating soon from the beginners' training class at PetSmart and he knows now what to do to get all those treats.  Benny is a quick study and he makes me laugh when we play tug because he will drop the toy and turn away and just when I come to grab it, he always gets to it first.  He is pretty sneaky and we have a great time playing together.

We are so grateful to the Aylmer SPCA for giving us the chance to be part of Benny's life.  I think that adopting an older dog that has already been potty trained was the best thing for us and we would do it again.  I thank Benny's parents for giving him a good start on life and I want them to know that he is in great loving hands.

Update January '10 ...

It will be two years this spring that we adopted our Benny and I cannot say enough the joy and love this dog has brought to our lives.  He is such a good dog and I often wonder why he was surrendered to the SPCA.  I am sure that it had to be for a very good reason because he is an angel in a dog's body.

He is doing very well and has his shots every year, his teeth brushed every week and kisses every hour of every day.  Thanks again for letting us adopt Benny and keep up the good work of giving every animal in your shelter a chance to be loved and to love.

Angele

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