Sweet senior rescue dog gets second chance at HPHH
This story was written by our ambassador and HPHH graduate, Caitlin Kelly.
Hi, I’m Bento. I’m a well-known doggo to the old-school Happy Paws Happy Hearts crew, but you might not remember me.
No one realised that my name is actually a Japanese term for food, but it totally fits now that they know about my love of food! Mmmm food…. Apparently, it’s also a brand of lunchbox. Who knew? I eat my food out of a bowl.
I first came on the scene as a stray dog collected by the RSPCA in June 2021. It was quickly clear that I had a kind nature, so I was selected to attend HPHH sessions. One of the Program Trainers, Sam Frye said that I had great manners while getting my harness put on, and I loved to receive belly rubs, pats and treatos from the participants.
My favourite thing about attending HPHH sessions was the enrichment the participants would prepare for me (especially the milk and egg cartons filled with treats!). Normally, I am very anxious in new environments, but at Happy Paws, I was made to feel at ease, calm and I always had a good time. It became my safe space until I was ready to be adopted.
After two months of attending HPHH sessions, I was allowed to sit in the staff room, where I got all the pats and attention from the trainers and other staff members. You should see their lolly jar! It wasn’t long until I became like a part of the furniture.
When I was in the office, I would always sit and stare at our Enrolments Team Leader, Dee Hudson. Dee always knew she wanted to adopt an old boy like me, but she didn’t realise how old I was at first.
Dee working with Bento sitting behind her
“My dream is to have a few senior dogs because they’re the ones that get left behind sometimes,” Dee says.
“I just found out he was a senior dog, so I thought I’d take a photo and send it through to (my husband).”
Dee used to send photos of dogs to her husband (my dad) all the time, and he always ignored her texts. I must be the most photogenic, good boy ever because he replied and said, “What do we have to do to adopt Bento?”
Once she put in the adoption paperwork to take me home, everything happened really quickly. Within a few days, Dee was and still is my mum, and I’m so thankful that I get to retire in a good home, hopefully with some more sweet seniors to come.
If you’re ever visiting HPHH, please remember to say hello to my mum! She loves when participants remember her name.