When I first saw Benny, I was nervously waiting for my dog to be spayed at my local vet’s office. He was whisked away by a technician shortly after I arrived, but I recall thinking that he was the largest Chihuahua I’d ever seen. I ended up having a great conversation with his equally nervous human, Emily. By the time I'd left the office, I was on my way towards scheduling this handsome guy for this next story.
“My other dog was attending a play group in Boston called Crate Escape Too. And when I took him there, I saw that they were fostering Benny. He was so terrified and rigid that his legs went completely stiff when I picked him up. He was really scared. They basically offered him to me and I made the decision to take him, which was very good, I’m very happy. It’s been a little hectic with the two dogs in the city. But my other one passed away last year, and now Benny gets all of the attention. All of it. And he wants it. He doesn’t understand why he wouldn’t ever have it (laughs).”
“You couldn’t touch his feet – I remember that really specifically – because he was so scared at first. Now I can. I touch them all the time just because he lets me (laughs). He’s still nervous. He still definitely has some sort of post-traumatic stress from his early upbringing, but he’s a little better. The city’s not a great place for him, I don’t think. It’s too overwhelming. But he loves Vermont. He loves Connecticut.”
“I’ve had him for about 7 or 8 years – he’s almost 10 now – and he’s gotten a lot more adjusted to life. He’s a little less freaked out and a little bit more loving. But you have to understand that everything is on his terms. For instance, you don’t pick him up. He sits on you. I mean, I do if I have to, but he’s grumpy about it (laughs). He loves nature, which I think is hilarious. He likes butt rubs. We have a slightly contentious relationship. He rules my life. He doesn’t like anybody else being in my space.”
“He gets along fine with other dogs though. He ignores them. He’s seen a couple of cats and he’s pretty weirded out by them. I think he was a pretty traumatized dog, based on the way that he behaves. They found him in Newark, NJ on the street. Now he has a good life. He gets to go lots of places. I have to go to Boston for work and he’ll come with me. And then when I go to LA, he’ll stay at the place that I adopted him from. Sometimes he goes to galleries with me.”
Q: If Benny could talk, what would he say about his life with you?
“Benny what would you say? I think he would say that he was very grateful, but that he wished I was home all day. And he wished that we could move to Boston or to Vermont where he loves to be. Right? But he understands – he’s an understanding dog – why we can’t do that. He would ask me if I could have friends over more often because he likes people. He likes to have dinner parties. He’s very fun. He always wants to have fun.”
“He also would like to be brushed more often because it feels very good. No more baths. Only turkey and sweet potatoes for dinner, which is what I cook for him. I don’t cook for myself, but I do cook for him. (Yep, I’m whipped.) I think that’s what he would say. All good things. Only a few minor complaints, like style choices.”
Crate Escape is Greater Boston’s premier dog care provider. With a high standard of care, they offer daycare, grooming, van service, and overnight boarding. Their ethic is to provide superior, satisfying service to your best friend and, of course, to you.
Thanks so much, Emily (Havens) and Benny for being a part of this project. Your openness is so incredibly appreciated!