Meet Bennie!
How It Started
This big-eared boxy boy showed up at our Holiday Bash event on 12/17/22 with no human.
He wore a collar, but had no tags.
He was neutered and knew basic commands such as “sit” and “shake.”
Clearly, he was someone’s pet.
Our friends Dog-Gone Nails went door-to-door in the nearby neighborhood attempting to either find his owner or a neighbor who might recognize him. Unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful. We couldn’t just leave Bennie wandering the streets of downtown Greenville, so we brought him home for the night with the plan to scan him for a microchip.
GOOD NEWS [we thought]-the scanner picked up on a microchip!
We called the microchip company immediately. Due to a privacy hold, they were unable to give us the contact information for his owners. However, they told us that his name is “Bennie” and that he was adopted 1 year ago from Greenville County Animal Care. We were redirected to Greenville County Animal Care, where he had also originally been neutered and microchipped, and they would be able to make contact with the owners from there.
By law, a stray dog who is microchipped must be held for 8 days following the initial attempt at contacting the owner. Our friends at Greenville County Animal Care called the owners and left them a voicemail. They also made outreach via email.
We posted him on many Facebook pages & groups as we frantically continued to search for his owners:
Upstate Foster Link (SC)
Lost & Found Pets of Upstate SC
PETS LOST & FOUND (Spartanburg/Greenville SC & Polk Co NC)
For Those Who Have Lost or Found A Fur Baby in SC and Surrounding Areas
South Carolina- Lost Dogs, Cats, & Pets- PawBoost Community
Lost/Found Pets: Simpsonville/Ft Inn/Mauldin/Pelzer/Moonville SE GNVL Cnty
Lost Pets of Upstate South Carolina
We also posted him on PawBoost with his microchip ID.
While 8 days passed by and there was still no response from his owner, we decided to hold off on posting Bennie as a Squad Foster for a bit long as we held on to the hope that a loving owner would come forward to reunite with their dog. We waited 19 days until we officially called Bennie a Squad foster!
Update 5/30/23
Bennie is a neutered male bursting with energy, intelligence, and a strong desire to please. This handsome pup is ready to embark on new adventures and find his perfect forever home as soon as he completes heartworm treatment.
With Bennie, you’ll never have a dull moment. He has an abundance of energy, making him an excellent companion for active individuals or families. Whether it’s going for long hikes, exploring the great outdoors, or engaging in fun play sessions, Bennie is always up for an adventure. He’ll be your loyal sidekick, eagerly joining you on every escapade.
What sets Bennie apart is his remarkable intelligence. He’s a quick learner, and training him will be a breeze. He thrives on mental stimulation and is always eager to please. Bennie is an ideal candidate for dog agility training, where he can showcase his smarts, athleticism, and boundless energy. Once he receives medical clearance from the vet, he’ll be ready to tackle any obstacle course and impress everyone with his agility skills.
Although Bennie is currently undergoing heartworm treatment, his resilient spirit remains unshaken. Starting his treatment on June 16, he’s on the path to a full recovery and will soon be heartworm-free. Despite this temporary setback, Bennie’s enthusiasm and zest for life remain intact.
If you’re an active individual or family seeking a loyal adventure buddy, Bennie might just be the perfect match. His high energy level, intelligence, and eagerness to please make him an exceptional companion. With his company, you’ll have a devoted friend who will eagerly join you in exploring the world and creating unforgettable memories.
Are you ready to add some excitement and joy to your life? Consider welcoming Bennie to your home and your heart. Stay tuned and learn more about this remarkable and spirited dog who is patiently awaiting his chance to shine. Together, you can conquer new challenges and embark on countless adventures.
**Special shoutout to Gibbs You More Photography for capturing these fantastic photos of Bennie!!
Update 5/12/23
Squad Foster Bennie met Dr. Schmitz on 4/28/23 at Five Forks Animal Hospital. When Bennie first joined Dog Squad in December 2022, we noticed a couple small hard bumps beneath his skin. Our naïve eyes assumed they were just simple cysts, especially since other vets had no concerns about them before.
Dr. Schmitz determined these bumps are actually BB pellets lodged just beneath his skin. Bennie will have X-rays to check for more BB pellets once he completes heartworm treatment, and we’ll discuss the plan from removal from there.
Update 4/17/23
Squad Foster Bennie went to the vet this morning due to runny eyes. We were NOT expecting the visit to go the way it went…
GOOD NEWS: Bennie’s runny eyes are allergy related, and nothing more!
BAD NEWS: Bennie tested positive for heartworm disease.
Yes, you read that correctly. We had the same reaction since he tested negative for heartworm disease in December, AND he has taken his monthly heartworm prevention medication.
THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE FOR WHY EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THEIR DOG TESTED FOR HEARTWORM DISEASE ANNUALLY, AT THE VERY MINIMUM!
So, how does this happen?
There are a few explanations:
The infection had been present for less than 5 months when he was tested in December (it takes 6-7 months after the mosquito bite to show up on a heartworm test).
The heartworms were still young and sexually immature in December.
There was infection with a single sex (all male or all female worms) in December.
Bennie started the 30 days of Doxy on 4/17/23 and will receive his first Melarsomine injection on 6/16/23.
Update 3/19/23
Bennie has become quite the social butterfly! Whether it’s in the backyard, or at The Unleashed Dog Bar, Bennie knows no strangers. He loves everyone, from children to dogs. We love to watch him bounce around (literally off all-4s) doing his happy hopping outback.
Bennie’s First Vet Visit 1/5/23
Bennie received a handful of vaccines (Rabies, DA2P, parvo, CGIP [leptospirosis]), and passed his health exam with flying colors! This includes a negative heartworm test, too!
Bennie is awesome. He’s a young 47 lbs. pup who we estimate to be between 1-2 years old.
He’s SMART and eager to learn.
Bennie is a fireball and would be the perfect dog for an active human! He is kennel trained, knows basic commands, & loves both kids and adults.
It’s also worth noting that he was non-reactive when he met a cat at the vet this morning. ;-)
Bennie is healthy and available for adoption!
