Gentle BEN -- Blind Yet More Sighted Than Most

Sometimes, the blind see better than those with sight.

Sometimes, our heart can overcome obstacles even though broken.

Sometimes, what starts out as the worst of the worst, can become the best of the best!

Sometimes -- just sometimes -- the one who needs the most help is the one who gives you so much including a reason to carry on.

At ARWNY, that "SOMETIMES" is reflected in our newest dog in need -- BEN! Gentle Ben has had the worst of the worst -- living in an Arkansas puppymill with "inadequate" housing and allowed to suffer with glaucoma and PRA with no help. But through it all, this 6-8 year old gentle giant of a dog maintained the true Akita dignity and the true spirit of love! Any kind hand is given a lick, a tail wag, and the thanks for the smallest of kindness.

Ben now needs us all -- he needs to have his eyes removed to lessen the pain of advanced glaucoma and secondary PRA and to be treated for several tick borne diseases. Yes, we know -- he is a senior. HMMM I wonder if my dad at 86 would want to hear "sorry you are too old for our care!" Ben may be old in years, but he is young in spirit and after all the heartache he has had in his life, wouldn't it be nice for us to offer him some kindness and take away his pain in his remaining years? Ben is with the Dimon family who will foster him until he is healed and ready for his new home. We ask you to join in our efforts to help this kind boy! You can read more about his story that involved MANY people's help from the HSUS to the littlest of them -- young 10 year old Arizona Dimon who reads a bedtime story each night to her new friend, Ben.

To read about Ben, here is the most recent interview done by the United Animal Nations.

http://unitedanimalnations.blogspot.com/search/label/Logan%20County%20Puppy%20Mill%202009

THEN if you want to show you care, send something for Ben's operations and rehab! We can guarantee you it is worth it. And remember -- sometimes the smallest of gifts can reap the biggest of rewards! The smile from Ben will make your year complete and your heart soar -- sometimes a dollar can give you a dream come true!

More of Gentle Ben's Story

 Ben is a 135 pound gentle, blind male Akita who lived his life in a Commercial breeding facility in Paris, Arkansas. In March, the HSUS was called in to a puppymill raid that removed over 350 animals from a life of misery. Ben was one of the dogs removed. For years Ben lived blind in a cage, he never knew the life our own pets know, he only knew life in a small cage that he could barely stand up in. When the director of the HSUS got to Ben, he was taken by this massive Akitas gentle nature, after years of living in filthy conditions, and without a loving touch, Ben was still gentle and forgiving to humans. 

Ben the day he left the puppymill!

Below is a quote from the humane officer who removed Ben from his cage.
"I was also moved by the rescue of another dog who was nearer to the end of life. We came upon a senior Akita who had lived out his entire existence in a wire run with a concrete floor and nothing else. This massive 150-pound-dog was blind... Many dogs faced with such an existence would become aggressive, but this dog was as gentle as a lamb. As we removed him from his run he hugged the ground with his body, refusing to leave his small prison for fear of the unknown. After years of neglect we have given him the opportunity to experience kindness and comfort in his final years."

Ben with Joan his transporter!

NOW: Even though Ben is blind, he still remains confident, he is not afraid of being in new places or meeting new people. Ben is outgoing and handles the pain of his blindness better than expected. Below is a link to a blog that will tell you about Ben and the horrible conditions this Akita has had to endure for years in a commercial breeding facility. We are hoping that once we get Ben fully healthy, we can then find this gorgeous and sweet Akita a forever home. Ben thanks you for your kindness and so do we. If you feel your able to give Ben a home with a cat, yes Ben adores cats, and no other dogs please click Adoption Form to apply.

http://unitedanimalnations.blogspot.com/

I can use your help to get me pain free!

ARWNY is a small group of volunteers dedicated to Akitas.  ARWNY covers a wide territory to save Akitas because we care about the breed.  We are here to offer adoptions, health education, temperament information and training guidelines for your Akita.  If you own an Akita already, then the more help we can offer, the less chance your Akita will end up in rescue.  ARWNY does not want YOUR Akita to end up a statistic! We have read the statistics about abandoned dogs and agree 110% that in nearly all cases the dogs are not to blame!  What are those statistics? About half of all dogs surrendered to shelters (42.8%) are not neutered. There's a certain amount of aggression linked to hormones in intact dogs. It's not the dogs' fault; they were programmed by nature to focus their entire existence on becoming alpha because the alpha dogs breed. All of our rescued Akitas are spayed or neutered because they make much better companions. Neutering has a calming effect that allows the dog to focus on its role within a human pack. The majority of dogs handed over to shelters were between the ages of 5 months to 3 years.  By 5 months old the dog should be trained to walk on a lead, sit, stay and come when called.  It should be house broken. Certainly by the age of 3, the dog should be spayed or neutered.  The statistics don't say for sure but we bet those dogs were not trained and not sterilized. Statistics claim 33% of all dogs turned into shelters had not been to a veterinarian.   Again, it's not the dog's fault it had the bad luck to end up with people who simply did not care.  We care.  All of our dogs have been checked by our vet, and brought up to date on health checks. Dogs acquired from friends were relinquished in higher numbers (31.4%) than any other source.  Breeding your dog because you have "great homes" waiting for all the puppies is NOT a reason to breed.  We hate to say "we told you so," but the puppies you gave away to your neighbors who admired your lovely Akita are probably counted in these statistics.   We can and do help Akitas but no one can save them all, there are too many.  If you're interested in owning an Akita, take a look at our "Available for Adoption" page.  Perhaps you'll find the perfect dog for your family.  If you are interested in adoption, please fill out our ONLINE ADOPTION APPLICATION. If you happen to have some loose change lying round, remember we are a legal 501 (c) 3 organization and need donations.  Of course, that donation doesn't have to be just money: healthy treats, all-natural holistic food, crates, blankets, telephone calling cards, gas cards, new leashes and collars, gift certificates to pet supply stores, etc. -  ALL ARE WELCOME AND GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED!! ARWNY WINS 2007 DOG RESCUE AWARD

TO OUR FRIENDS AT EAGLE RIDGE KENNELS! For more information about this very special,  rescue friendly kennel in WNY, go to: