From Janine Herself...

My dearest Benji

You were the cutest, sweetest puppy.
I remember picking you up one night in Ottery I think it was, full of fleas and tiny, but oh so adorable. I took your to my folk’s house, for your 1st bath, and named you Benji, after going through a zillion names in my head, until I settled for yours.I fell in love with you the instant I met you. To me, you were the perfect pooch.

As the years went on, I thought I could not fall in love more, or love you, more than I already did. No other dog had ever touched my heart, my being, my soul, the way you did.

You grew up to be the sweetest, most beautiful natured doggie any owner could ask for, you made me proud, and I always loved bragging about you. You used to jump on my lap out of habit, when I was on the loo, you sat on my lap when I drove you to Granny-Day Care, until we got you a companion, Jessie, who played with you and who you learnt to love as much as she adored you. She always looked up to you and followed you around. With her around, you stopped eating your baskets, the couch and ripping up the carpet and plants. I loved you regardless, you were a puppy.

You grew into your teens way too quickly, and during all the years we shared, you saw me through many, friendships, hardships, tears, you made me laugh, you helped me cry.
There was many a time you would just lie next to me, as though you knew that was all I needed.
There was many a time you would just stare at me, with that knowing look only you could give me, as if to say “I understand Mommy”, it melted my heart. You knew me as though you were human, your eyes reached into the depths of my soul.
Your eyes spoke words to me that only we shared, we had, and have, a bond like no other doggie ever.

The thought of you leving me behind, breaks my heart my boy. You were and always will be, my furry-soul-mate, you just ‘got me’, and I treasure each time you made me feel calm inside, how you made me giggle and smile at your antics. Your barks when I say ‘Waaaalkies”, the way you sleep on your back, the way you do that funny growl when you scratch yourself on the big carpet and roll around in utter pleasure, the times you always lie at the shower door, sometimes licking the water that escapes it, while I shower, the way you lie down and either look at me, or gently sleep, as I apply my make-up each morning, the way you run to the Treat cuboard, awaiting your Beenos. The excited bark at the gates, both gates, when it approached home time and you knew I was coming home, I would drive up the road to ur driveway, and you and your sister would be sleeping at the gate, waiting my arrival, it always made me smile.

I love the way you sit in the corner of the kitchen next to the stove, as I cook, one of your favourite spots. You are the coolest little dude to cuddle with, you just fitted into the back of my knees or the front of my tummy, and we shared many hours in utter cuddling happy sleep. My favourite times was seeing you in utter abandonment having fun in the park, you sniffed each bush and plant, and had this unique way of only doing your no.2’s in the plants.
Your unique mane, just like your brother Batman who is living with my friend Ilana, is precious, your mane was a big talking-point, my little stud, you just knew you were darn cute.

It breaks my heart and soul knowing one day we will part. You are more precious to me than any wordly item. You taught me to love like no other, except my wonderful Justin, who you got to know for only a short time, but ho loves you dearly too. As do your grandparents and Michelle, and all your aunties, my friends, ‘the gang of gals’, who you have shared many a stroke and lap with, listening to us skinner and laugh and talk about relationships, sometimes a tear, but my Benj, you were always the man there. You have been the only man in my life for so long.

You shared my life, and I am forever appreciative of the times we have had. I love you more than anything. I love singing to you and Jess “Mommy loves you yes I do, cos you are my stinky-poo”….silly, I know, but I have sung that song to you for years and years.

I LOVE YOU BENJI
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