With heavy hearts we had to say goodbye to our beloved Benji today. He was actually a gift from us to Linda’s Mother (Dorothy) for Christmas back in 2008. We thought it would be a nice way to keep her company since the passing of her husband. She was so excited, telling everyone we were getting her a puppy that year and already had his name picked out before got there!
Benjamin (Benji) Barton
12/4/2008 – 11/21/2024
Hit the jump to see a few more shots of this happy-go-lucky puppy.
Benji was actually a designer breed half Poodle and half Bichon Frise. Apologies to the Bichon owners out there, but clearly that side won out in the brain department. Cute and cuddly as can be, but let’s just say not the most ambitious ha. Definitely not the energizer bunny powerplants that fuel our pure Toy Poodles, but absolutely a perfect disposition for Linda’s mother.
“Wanna go for a walk Benji – nah, how about I just roll over and give you the privilege of petting my soft underbelly!”
For 8 years Benji was always by Dorothy’s side – especially whenever she was sitting in the chair or sofa, living the comfy life.
In a classic example of genetics over exercise, Benji actually grew to be one sturdy and strong dog. No one could have predicted that transformation from those early puppy stages. At the time, this was a new breed for us and we didn’t really know what to expect. He actually came from a Clinton, IA breeder we had purchase one of or other Poodles from- Kerberos (Kerby). Our Poodles stay in the 4 to 7 pound range and Benji eventually grew into his full frame of 14 or so pounds.
After 8 years, Dorothy’s health began to fail and was unable to really take care of a dog that strong – we were always afraid that Benji would overpower her if he saw something on a walk as there was no way she could have wrestled back the strong muscles under that curly Poodle hair. When the decision was made that Dorothy would need additional care, Benji packed his little bag and came to live with us. I can’t say our Poodles actually agreed with that decision, but eventually they learned to get along. Benji immediately claimed one end of the sofa, nestled in and got back to watching the world go by.
On our many visits to Dorothy, we always brought him along and he’d get the biggest smile on his face whenever he would see her. If only puppy kisses could have helped with her health as much as they did her heart.
Not sure Benji heard the part about all the dogs in Linda’s house have to earn their keep. His lounging days didn’t last very long before Linda had him enrolled in obedience and agility classes. Days of sitting all day in a lap watching daytime soaps was over ha. Unfortunately, the Bichon block was hard to get through and going from a sedentary life to one of performance was quite the challenge for Linda. To her credit, she did manage to get him titled – I remember the day Benji got to show off his awards and ribbons to Dorothy.
As Benji got up in the years he earned his right to stake out his spot back on the couch. Clearly bonded to Linda from all the training (and feeding), he would always be by Linda’s side (preferably on the couch) and would always make sure he had at least one body part touching her whenever she went to sleep. Our other dogs learned to accept Benj and Raven eventually became his best buddy – admittedly this may have a lot to do with the fact that the Poodle hurricane named Ruger had entered into the household and they bonded over the commiseration of having to deal with his antics.
We will definitely miss our nearly 8 years together little buddy, but it makes our loss feel better knowing Benji is back in Dorothy’s arms and giving her oodles of Poodles (and Bichon) kisses.
Wildlife Intrigued 
Nice tribute to Benji. He will be missed.
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Thanks. Definitely tough for Linda with the ties back to family, but he definitely had a good life.
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Wagged until the last.
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So true.
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It’s so ad that our beloved dogs don’t live long. The Benji was the happiest dog alive, he lived with wonderful people who cared for and loved him.
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Thank you Kaya. When Dorothy had to go into assisted living, he definitely hit the jackpot and nestled into his new surroundings (read comfortable couch) rather quickly. Took a bit longer for the other pups get used to sharing their mommy, but eventually they gave in and Raven and he became best buds…Ruger on the other hand was just too rambunctious for his relaxing life ha.
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It’s so hard to lose our beloved family members. My condolences. He had a great life.
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Thank you Tim, we appreciate it. Benji was the definition of a lap dog and was perfect company for Dorothy. He had to work more than he was used to when he moved in, but for the most part, would find a comfortable spot and happily watch the world go by – probably why he was able to last almost 16 years (112 hyrs), our oldest companion to date. We could all probably learn something from him ha!
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I feel for you. Losing such a lovely companion is hard.
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Thank you Heide, I know you went through a similar time a few years back. We are not blessed with children so our pups take on a special relationship with us and having to say goodbye is one of those difficult things in life we all have to go through. We take comfort in knowing he lived a full life, just the way Dorothy would have wanted it. Appreciate you reaching out.
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I am sorry for loss. Benji was much loved.
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Thank you, appreciate it very much. We like to think Benji had an extra special life getting love from not one but two families, Dorothy and us.
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So wonderful that you kept taking him back to visit Dorothy, that was good for both of them! He had a wonderful life, in two loving homes. Great obituary for the little guy, thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Sam, we will always remember how happy they both were whenever we had the chance to reunite them. Everyone in Dorothy’s assisted living complex would also get excited whenever they saw him walking through the halls, always willing to nestle in any lap that was available ha. Those fond ties back to Linda’s mom made the decision even harder, but we take solace in knowing we were able to at least give him 8 additional years of love and companionship.
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Oh, FYI, I tried to comment on your last two posts, but similar to what Linda M. mentioned they appear to be get lost when I submitted them. Possible they went into your Spam folder, but just a heads up as I need to go back and comment on those again.
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Found them, de-quarantined them, replied to them – thanks for letting me know!!
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Awesome, I was wondering if I had gotten on the “bad boy spam filter list”…. I heard that is a straight line to the elves’ “naughty” list.
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So sorry for your loss…..pets are precious.
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Thank you Donna, we appreciate the thoughts. Whenever anyone asks if we have children we always respond back with a hardy YES, but quickly add that they just happen to be furrier than normal ha.
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It’s hard to lose a “friend”, no matter how long, or short, a time they spent with you.
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Absolutely agree Jerry, We are not blessed with children so our pups definitely have elevated status in the household which makes losing one that much harder. Fortunately, for us, we can look back at all the joy he brought Dorothy and us and relish in the good memories. Appreciate you stopping in and for the kind thoughts.
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Awww, I’m so sorry. Losing a 4-legged family member has a way of shattering the heart. I bet Raven misses him too. ☀️
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Thanks Lisa, it has been a little rough being a lot quieter around the house this Thanksgiving. Raven is definitely missing him as he would curl up next to Benji in the same small bed from time to time to keep him company…Raven insists it was to steal his heat, but we knew what was really going on. Now Raven needs to make nice with the big brat in the house and he isn’t liking that one bit!
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What a bittersweet story. RIP, dear Benji. And my condolences on his loss. I hope all four of you can comfort one another (I suspect even Ruger will miss him).
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Thank you Tanja, that post ended up being harder to write than I expected. It took a while for Benji to get acclimated to the way of the house as there was zero disciplining at his first home. Once that was somewhat resolved, we had a mutual understanding of expectations and then in these later years he would always come lay by my side whenever I was in the living room…until mom came in, of course, then it was all about the Bartons hehehe. Linda definitely noticed Ruger was in a slump all last week – he would never openly admit, but we are sure he misses his secret buddy.
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You provided him with a loving home when he needed it. It’s always sad having to let our dogs go . . .
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Yep. Until those last few months or so he wasn’t a lot of trouble as long as there was a couch nearby – he definitely provided a calming sense over the other two agility performance dogs who are always bouncing off the walls ha.
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The hardest part of having dogs is they have such short lives. But they are the best company and I have had dogs my entire life. They are the best companions for so many different reasons. My little Deohgee is 17 years old this year. But still going strong. 🙂
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We have had Poodles with us since our first house together and you would think the end would get easier, but the resulting sadness never does. It owes to how much a part of us they become and the flood of great memories that come back once they pass on. Wow, 17 years young is absolutely amazing, you are definitely blessed.
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What a wonderful little dog you describe! Our pets hold a special place in our hearts.
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Thank you Belinda, it is amazing how much they become entwined in your daily activities and at least with us they are are treated as a big part of the “family” which owes to how difficult it is to make the final decisions. Benji was essentially adopted much later in his life, but quickly settled in and made up for lost time by always wanting to be next to whoever happened to be sitting in the family room. I am just glad we were able to take care of him for Linda’s mother.
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Very much so. My first pet was a Scottish Terrier, when I see one now, it sure brings back fond memories memories 😊
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Can completely relate. They never really “leave” or memories, I can still remember my furry childhood companion and all the other wonderful four legged family members we have had in between.
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So sorry to hear about his passing. What a darling puppy he was!
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Thank you. Been a little tough not looking down and having him by our side. Fortunately, our other two puppies are doing their best to fill the void.
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