We have been hanging out at our foster home for about seven months. Foster Mom kept telling us that she would find the perfect home for us ~ one where we could stay together, have lots of tug-o-war toys, yummy treats, and most of all, all the scratches and lovin’!
We’ve heard her on the phone with potential families and always got really excited that it might be happening, but it never did.
Then yesterday, our foster family got back from a trip and we were so happy to see them! After lots of scratches and some wrestling, they said they had some news. They said they had a long talk while they were away. They said that they loved us and they really didn’t think anyone else deserved us. So guess what? We get to stay furever! We were home all this time, after all!
Bulldog friends it’s me Big Ben and today I joined rescue. The reason being is I am looking for my Mother. That’s right, she recently joined rescue.
The strangest thing happened to me. Seven of my friends and I were headed to Texas and we were just rolling along. It was wonderful. We all faced forward and none of us ever looked back. We knew we were headed to freedom and our baby making days were coming to an end. And then out of nowhere the rescue wagon rolled to a stop and I thought I heard “let’s all get out,” so I hopped right on out. Turns out some did get out, but not my bulldog family. When the dust settled and I looked around there I sat, the only bulldog looking around.
Next thing I know I was at a wonderful vet clinic. I lost my loving feeling, and I had eye surgery. The kind of eye surgery that some Desperate Housewives only dream about! Both ends are sore now, but Big Ben doesn’t cry.
Now, back to my mother. I need her to know I made it. Her name is Pumpkin Spice. When we see one another, it’s going to be a great day indeed! I am 2 years old now and I am as sweet as can be. I like all the dogs I meet, I love people and today I met some kids. One kid wanted to hug my neck and one kid took off running like the wind. Good thing I was on a leash because this Big Ben can run like the wind too!
So bulldog people come see me at Hollywood feed on Sunday 25th in Allen. I promise you, you are going to love love love me, Big Ben the Beautiful Bulldog!
9/26/22 Update: Big Ben had so much fun at today’s Bulldog Bonanza at Hollywood Feed! Thanks to everyone for coming out to meet him. Much playing was done, a few new toys made their escape with him, and he hopes he met his furever family!
Now, he’s getting settled in his new foster home and giving the resident puppers a run for their money. This is going to be fun!
9/28/22 Update: So far, Ben has learned to sit for a treat (with a little butt nudge) and go through the doggy door.
He’s also learned to forage for his own food in Foster Dad’s garden and discovered he loves green peppers. But jalapenos – not so much!
Ben’s working on using the doggy door for his business and not just outside shenanigans with about 75% success. Aren’t we all still a work in progress?
This boy is all puppy, except for the part that is all bully in a china shop! He’s also clumsy, playful, loving and all-around adorable. Have you seen his furever family?
10/3/22 Update: I had so much fun yesterday!
First, I went to the store for a bath so I could look my most handsome for the Bulldog Bonanza. I also got to pick out a new food bowl and toy… because I love me some toys!
Then, I hung out with all kinds of interesting Bulldogs and new friends at The Shacks. Of course, I had the best time and got lots of hugs. I think everyone really liked me! Then I napped A LOT because all of that was hard work.
10/7/22 Update: “The only bowl you can trust is the one you can’t see!” – Big Ben
Update from his foster momma: Big Ben continues to do great in his foster home. He’s learned to eat out of a clear glass dish, as long as I stand right by and protect him from it while he eats… and relaxes. After all, there’s no need to over-exert yourself while dining!
Ben is playful, loving and the best 65 pound lapdog ever. He’s great with all dogs and all people. Ben loves toys, but is not a walker.
If you’re looking for a funny, sweet, home-body who will play tug of war, snuggle in your lap and warn you of all the dangers of bad bowls everywhere, Ben may be your guy.
10/17/22 Update: Big Ben is doing great! He’s found a clear bowl he can live in harmony with, so he’s eating great.
Ben loves to play. He’s goofy and adorable. He’s still a puppy and learning some of the finer points of those pesky things called “manners,” but he’s smart, happy and learning well.
Ben loves people and will do great in a home with other dogs. Ben says, “Dogs are awesome!”
Ben is all love and will be an excellent addition to his furever family.
10/24/22 Update:
I had a great time at the Pizza Paw-ty today at Campisi’s, even though by some misunderstanding, I did not get any pizza.
But I did get to have many friend see how awesome I am, so that was lots of fun.
Best of all, I got to hang out with my real mom, Pumpkin Spice (no offense Foster Mom).
See you guys at the next paw-ty, unless I find my furever home first (paws crossed)!
10/26/22 Update: O.M.G. Have you guys seen my glamour shots? I am fabulous!
Surely now my furever family will be able to find me. Who could miss all this hunk of love?
Thank you, Photography by Sheila (photographybysheila.com), for proving that all my sides are good.
11/1/22 Update: Big Ben is still looking for his furever family!
He’s a happy, playful, young pup with so much love to offer.
Things to know about Ben:
*Just 13 months old and 61 pounds of fun.
*Great with other dogs, and learns from their lead.
*Loves to play and cuddle. Not much of a walker.
*Smart guy who learns quickly.
*Sits for a treat, especially if it’s a baby carrot (YUMMY).
*Comes with his own special clear food bowl.
*Does great with a doggie door and may still need some house training guidance without one.
*Still needs some supervision, but what toddler doesn’t?
*Needs tough beds right now because fluffy ones tend to explode when nobody’s looking (weird, huh??).
*Has a super squishy face!
Ben is ready for his new home and can’t wait to meet you soon.
12/7/22 Update: Big Ben has decided that, when not playing at full speed, he’s a lap dog. He always wants to climb into someone’s lap to nap. Then you’re stuck because he’s too heavy and too adorable to move! Maybe he is practicing to sit in Santa’s lap to ask for a furever family for Christmas.
12/13/22 Update: I’m just going to keep my most prized possession handy. That way, I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice when my furever family finds me. I sure hope they get here before Christmas! I’ve “Ben” such a good boy and it’s the only thing I asked Santa to bring me.
1/17/23 Update: I have absolutely loved the beautiful weather lately. Being outside exploring is one of my favorite things. Walking on a leash? Not so much!
I also love wrestling, bitey face and tug-of-war with my fur brother. Sometimes we team up against our skin brother. One of these days we’re gonna take him! But once I have played all day, I just want to crawl up on Foster Mom’s lap and sleep.
My pen is not my favorite place to go, but I do it for a treat and am quiet as a mouse all night long.
You may remember that I was not too fond of metal bowls. Well, I have gotten over that and now I eat out of one, no problem. I am a big puppy who loves to play. I just can’t wait to meet my furever family! Could that be yours?
1/24/23 Update: There’s a rhythm to life and here is foster boy Big Ben’’s.
He writes: I rise and shine around 7 a.m. Foster Mom is usually washing the breakfast bowls and needs some supervision to stay focused.
After breakfast, I need a little rest time. It’s good for digestion. My buddy and I love to curl up next to foster mom on the couch.
Afternoon is for playtime! And when I say playtime, I’m talking WWF style. We play tug of war, tag, wrestlemania, and keep away. Once in a while, Foster Mom tells us to keep it down or go outside. We usually comply.
After dinner, there’s usually some playtime, but then it’s lounging on the couch. I head into my pen for a little snack and a good night’s sleep. Then I’m ready to do it all over again. I’m really enjoying my foster home, but sure do hope there is a family out there where I can fit in forever!
4/7/23 Update: Now this is my kind of weather! I was born to be a sunbather! My favorite days are frolicking in the backyard, taunting by buddy, Uno, with toys, and lounging in the sun! If this sounds like the kind of day that you like and are looking for an awesome partner to do it with, then I’m your guy! Perhaps you’re looking for a dynamic duo?? Uno and I gotcha covered!
4/21/23 Update: Foster Mom tells me that I am smart, handsome, and can grow up to be anything I want to be. So I’ve decided to try a few different “professions” on for size. I’m starting with professional sunbather. This time of year is perfect for that and I’m darn good at it. I’m thinking maybe a “Big Ben and the Sunshine” calendar would be a good start!
5/18/23 Update: A couple of weeks ago, Foster Mon and Dad left and a nice lady came and took up residence. It was great, but there was only one of her. I like ALL the people! Well, you’ll never guess what happened… Foster Mom and Dad came home AND brought our two foster skin brothers! Happy day! I’ll see you Saturday at the Bulldog Bonanza at Parc at Garland!
6/13/23 Update: Uno and I love coffee time with Foster Mom! It might be one of our favorite times of the day. We get to curl up on the couch, gets pets and snuggle with foster mom, all while she drinks her coffee.
Most mornings, Foster Dad comes out and gives us the best scratches. He even lets us lick his ears a little. Foster Mom says that’s a hard no!
Then, when the coffee is all gone, it’s breakfast time. This is definitely one of our favorite times of the day!
Is your coffee time lonely or boring? Would you like a cuddle or ear cleaning? How are your scratching skills? We would love to find a permanent place for our coffee time.
