Bentley enjoyed his second Christmas at home. Actually, he spent his holiday with his great grandma, who, if it's possible, spoils him more then I do! He is still doing great! I've attached some recent pictures.

Jennifer

6 January 2008

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Bentley is enjoying his summer! This morning, he had fun chasing the geese that live around the area ponds, and baying at the neighbor's cat who likes to sit on the fence and look down at Bentley. (I think she smugly knows what she is doing. Once she even came up the back door and put her nose on the screen, looking in and driving Bentley insane.) He's taken trips to the dog park and enjoyed all the company who have been spoiling him when they visit. I've included four pictures: my dad and Bentley sitting on the front porch, Bentley in the flower bed, and him at the dog park. Jennifer 23 July 2007 Bentley is getting used to a bigger house. In addition to the walking trails and ponds near the house that he is enjoying exploring, he's taken up the new game of geese watching. While I planned on putting a table in front of the front window, Bentley has nixed that idea, as he likes to "monitor" the geese in the pond across the street. The first time I left him alone there was for 3 hours while I went to get paint. When I left he was standing guard at the front window and when I was coming home, I saw him still in the window keeping a watchful eye on the geese. Here are some pictures of him exploring the house for the first time. Jennifer 12 March 2007 Bentley enjoyed his first Christmas at home! Santa was good to him, and his grandma gave him tons of presents, too. Jennifer 12 January 2007 When my parents came to visit Bentley recently, having meet him once before when he first came home, they commented that you can tell Bentley looks truly happy and at home now. You really can see the difference over time as he's grown to realize that this is his forever home. He enjoys the dog park, walks wonderfully in the neighborhood and is so good when kids want to pet him. Everyone always says what a handsome dog and asks what breed he is. We will be moving and so Bentley will be getting a bigger house to run around. We're thinking about getting him a friend, since he loves to be around other dogs and is such a cuddler. Band season will be starting, and Bentley is looking forward to going out to the practice field to be with the kids. Jennifer and Matt 15 June 2006 He is enjoying the good life. He and Matt are inseparable best buds. When Matt gets home from work, he and Bentley will wrestle, and we swear Bentley smiles. The first picture is Bentley super happy while they were playing. After a while, Bentley will throw himself down and beg for Matt to rub his belly. Bentley has discovered a new love for having his belly scratched - that picture is the funniest picture and makes us laugh every time we look at it! After all that wrestling and playing, Bentley still favors cuddling up. Tomorrow he is going to the Spring Fling, the official reopening of one of the dog parks in the area and will get to play with all his pals. Jennifer and Matt 1 April 2006 Bentley has brought so much joy to our lives in the month we've had him. He has figured out that a puppy dog face is really all you need to be allowed on the couch, his new favorite place. We've taken him to some dog parks, and he loves to frolic with the other puppies, particularly a cocker spaniel named Patches who goes there on Saturdays, too. He is completely house trained now and has the run of the house when we are at work. Bentley constantly wants to cuddle and is the most affectionate dog. We couldn't have asked for a better dog! Jennifer and Matt 28 January 2006 Thank you for Bentley (formerly Lex Luther). He has finally tuckered himself out enough to take a nap, allowing me to check my email. You are an angel of mercy and compassion to these lovely animals who, without you and your group, would not have the chance to grow, play and be happy. Having had him here for a day and a half, here is what I can tell you. He is great! He has only barked once when we were waiting at the vet's office too long. He doesn't like baths or the vaccum cleaner. He loves to cuddle. He has followed us everywhere and will sit on us the second he has the opportunity. We took the pillow out of the car and put it in the corner of my room and he immediately knew where to sleep, and slept all night. He hasn't touched a single thing in my place or jumped on the furniture. He plays with his toys and doens't destroy them. Bentley loves bones/rawhide. We got him a dingo bone and he was in heaven! He loved tracking the smell of human food. We made tortellini last night and he was thrilled to run around sniffing finding out where the smell was coming from. He has learned sit already, really quickly and easily. He is working on giving paw and tomorrow is learning lay down. He made his own trick last night. Bentley discovered that when he goes to the door, we take him out. So every 10 min he would stare intently at the door, refusing to do anything until we took him out, and we couldn't not take him out and he knew it. Everytime we take him out, he either marks his territory or if he's out of ammo, pretends to go. He thought it was fun to go twice in the same spot in my kitchen, dispite using vinegar, pet cleaner and baking soda. But the vet recommended putting his food dish there and he hasn't gone there again. In fact, I penned him in the kitchen while I ran to the store, and he was good. Once he is completely housebroken, which he seems to nearly be, we'll have no troubles at all. It is wonderful to have him for a week before school resumes. It is great for us all to adjust in week one and learn the schedule in week two. We are a happy little family. I can't imagine that his beautiful creature was on death row at one point in his life. He has so much love to give, and wants nothing but love (and the occasional exploring expedition and dingo bone) in return. Thank you, Jayne! Jennifer and Matt 30 December 2005