As Easter Sunday arrives, it is befitting that my thoughts should go to Benjamin, my dog.
Easter is the most important holiday in Poland which is where Ben(jamin) was rescued. In Poland, it is a time for not only the observance of what is arguably the most important Christian event on their calendar, but it is also a time for family – similar to Thanksgiving in the United States, the Easter weekend is a call for one and all to return to their families.
Not an Easter passes where I don’t reminisce about my years living in Poland … a country that gave me much, including my dog.
Benuszek, Ben’s name in Polish, was rescued in October 1996 by my then wife and our best friend in Poland whilst he was still puppy. He still had two ‘baby’ teeth in his mouth, so we knew he was in and around 5 months old. At the risk of providing too much information, it this fact along with the date I observed that his testicles “had dropped” (I had read this would happen around 12 months) which gave basis for the birthday I chose for him: April 27, 1996.
As you can see from the picture taken today, Ben is very much still a part of my life and on April 27, 2013, he will celebrate his most amazing 17th birthday. This is all the more amazing given his origins, a dog that somehow found himself living on the streets as a puppy and whom was rescued from Warszawa’s Central Train Station 16½ years ago.
In recognition of this, for the month of April, I’m dedicating my blog to my relationship with Ben. For those of you who are following my blog for the beer and food, have no fear: there will still be other posts as well. Ben wouldn’t have it any other way: he’s drank beer and he’s a huge foody in his own right. Indeed, more than one person has conjectured that Ben’s zest for life and his longevity comes from his love of my cooking. Whatever the reason this dog is about to join some very elite company, he means the world to me and I’ll be sharing him this month.
Start reading with Chapter 1: You Came into My Life — Irish Terrier-Cross
Love it! When 119 years old you reach, look as good, you will not…
… I sincerely expect to be bald and wrinkled Ben’s age. And regardless of the bin’s full of hair that keep filling my vacuum, Ben is showing no sign of getting wrinkly or bald. The guy just gets more handsome each day.