Benjamin Longfellow

It is with a heavy heart and sore tired eyes that I post this.  Our little dog, Benjamin, aka the beanerweiner, started to have some troubles at the beginning of the week. He was listless and eating very little.   I brought him into the Madison Animal Hospital; had him checked out by Dr. Chelsa Mullen. I brought him home; started him on his pain meds and antibiotics.  He drank some water but vomited it back up not 5 minutes later.
I cooked ground chicken and rice for him but he turned away from it.  He passed away Saturday, his little body was just worn out.  We told him it was ok to go, we understood. 

Ben is a 13 year old long hair dachshund.  We bought him from a private breeder, that had the parents on site. Ken instantly fell in love with Ben and his brother Willie.  We had only planned on getting one puppy and came home with 2, 8 week old little bundles of fuzzy red and brown fur.  That was in August of 2003.  I moved from Massachusetts to Maine, shortly after.

Before I moved to Maine, the boys (Willie and Benben) and myself went over the road in the "big truck" that my husband drove.   We traveled in the big rig for almost 5 months before finally landing in Maine. 

A couple years later I got sick.  I was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer.  While I was recovering Benny and Willie would stay on the bed with me, keeping me company and providing comfort.  Their loyalty was unwavering, their love unconditional and the joy and happiness that he brought to us will never be forgotten.  He was with me everyday for the past 13 years; we are missing him terribly and his brother Willie still looks for him.

Yesterday I was told by someone that I was being selfish, still crying over his loss.  I was told I need to "get over it" and "move on."  Today, now that I think of this it makes me angry.  I will not just "get over it, and I will not just move on."  Our pets are part of our family.  They are loved and bring so much into our lives.  I am trying my best to keep going and to follow through with this site.   Thank you all for your kindness and patience.  I am trying to "carry on" but it is difficult.  I miss our short boy Ben.

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Benjamin Longfellow July 7, 2003 - January 21, 2017