A local APL called us to see if we could help poor Bentley. They picked him up last week after finding him with another dog lying in a ditch, both apparently hit by a car...

Bentley's Story

12/10/04 - One month after surgery

Sponsor Dog Bentley Featured! Bentley was featured at the Golden Retriever Foundation April fund stories.

12/10/04

Bentley was also featured in several local newspapers including the Ravenna Record Courier.  Thanks to our media specialist, Karen Semancik, for her efforts in getting the word out about Bentley.  Enjoy the story!

11/29/04

Bentley is a TV star! News Reporter, Jennifer Murphy, will be airing Bentley's story on Channel 3 news tonight at 6 pm.  Be sure to stay tuned to see how well Bentley has come in just 4 weeks.

11/27/04

Bentley had a very exciting holiday!  He traveled in the motor home for Thanksgiving with the extended family where he met plenty of new faces, humans as well as canines!  He was living in the lap of luxury, relaxing on the bed during the entire trip.  Everyone got along famously and Bentley was glad to see other four-legged fur kids!  He is now walking on his own without support, although foster mom and dad always bring along the sling for assistance, just in case Bentley might need a little help.  His personality comes out more every day and he provides his family with endless humor, love and gratitude.

11/23/04

Bentley has received a clean bill of health.  The vet is so impressed with Bentley's temperament - the best he has ever seen in a golden.  Bentley is now walking on his own and has tipped over the baby pen he is confined to during the day to limit his activity.

He now has an "I don't need it" attitude since he's feeling so much better.  The vet feels he's younger than 2 since his bones are healing so well.  He will be going on a road trip over the holiday weekend - the fosters are taking their motor home just to accommodate Bentley!!  Another follow up appointment is scheduled for another month with a final follow up 4 weeks after that.  His recovery is truly amazing.

11/18/04

Bentley has not had one single accident in the house.  He is on a schedule now with the fosters and is doing beautifully.  He is progressing so well in just a few days, it's totally amazing.  Last night, he picked up the rope toy from the basket and took it into the crate.  Also, he's been flopping over and rolling from side to side as if to say "I'm feeling better, look what I can do!".  The foster parents even found him lying on his back with his feet in the air!  Totally unbelievable!  You would think he'd be in pain but he seemed to be showing off how much better he feels.  Bentley is an absolutely wonderful guy and everybody adores him.  His follow-up appointment with the vet will be scheduled next week.  We hope the surgeon will find that he's healing well.

11/17/04

Bentley is now in foster care with two angels sent from heaven!  They are providing Bentley with the most comfortable environment imaginable!  Since his movements still need to be monitored, Bentley requires a crate so that he's not enticed to get up and walk around too much on his own.  His foster parents have two wonderful crates, one in the living area and the other in the bedroom, padded and comfortable enough for the most spoiled golden, a title which Bentley is sure to achieve shortly!  His pain has subsided a great deal, as foster mom and dad have not heard him whine or cry.  In fact, he's feeling so much better that he got up on his own (which he can do for short periods of time without assistance) and picked up a tennis ball from the basket of toys.  He swaggered back to the comfort of his crate with the ball in his mouth!  Hopefully, that's a sign of things to come!

11/12/04

Bentley's surgery was a week ago today and he is showing remarkable improvement.  He is putting pressure on his hind quarters and walks with some assistance.  His sutures are healing well with no signs of infection.  His spirits are high and his temperament is the best we have seen since Wellington!  Through all the pain (he does cry and whine when transported in a car until he can get comfortable), he has not ever shown a slightest bit of aggression - no snapping, biting or nipping.  He has been a wonderful trooper throughout his horrible trauma and we hope that when it's all over, he'll think it was worth it.  Bentley will be going to foster care next week.

11/9/04

Although Bentley's surgery lasted over 4 hours, it went well.  Bentley's spirits are high as he began to eat right away the following morning.  The staff has been trying to help him put weight on his hind quarters the day after surgery with little luck.  But, he's been through quite a trauma and he's in obvious pain.  With a pain patch and morphine drip in place, he seems to be able to put increasingly more weight on his hind quarters as the days go by.  The staff is assisting him with a towel when he wants to walk and he's turned over every 3-4 hours to avoid blood clots and bed sores.  Surprisingly, he's ready for his foster home after only having surgery just 4 days ago.

We are also looking for a foster home for Bentley who will be able to help him through his rehabilitation.  Helping him walk with a towel and providing range of motion therapy will help him get back on his feet in no time.  If you are able to help Bentley recover and would like to be considered for fostering, please email us at IAF@grinrescue.org or call us at 216-556-4746. Thanks for your support!

11/5/04

A local APL called us to see if we could help poor Bentley.  They picked him up last week after finding him with another dog lying in a ditch, both apparently hit by a car.  We certainly hope he wasn't in a home that tried to train him the boundaries of his yard; this is the unfortunate result of that risk.  Bentley's companion did not make it and we're doing everything we can to make sure Bentley gets back on his feet again.  His x-rays show that he has a broken pelvis and his tail has been broken where it meets his back end so it may require amputation.  He will undergo surgery to correct his broken bones.  He'll require some extensive postoperative care so we're holding off on his adoption until the vet says he's OK to go to his forever home.  Bentley's pain is obvious, as he cries and whines whenever he's moved.  Despite his agony, his disposition remains sweet and gentle.  Keep checking our site for Bentley's progress.

Bentley has bilateral pelvic and hip fractures - the left much worse than his right - a broken tail and a fractured rib.  His right hip can be repaired easily enough but the surgeon expects Bentley to develop arthritis.  The left hip will require more extensive surgery and, most likely, a femoral head and neck excision to allow Bentley's body to regenerate a new joint.  Whether or not his tail needs to be amputated will be addressed at a later time, but the vet still notices that Bentley has feeling in his tail and our hopes are high that it might be saved.  He is otherwise a healthy boy and did not suffer any chest or head injuries.  Bentley will require rehabilitation and we're seeking a volunteer who is home most of the day to foster him and help with his rehab.  He will require assistance with 'towel walking' for the first month or so, but we expect that he will regain full use of his hindquarters.  He won't be an athlete, but he will make someone a very fabulous companion.  Please contact us if you would discuss the opportunity to foster Bentley - volunteer@grinrescue.org or 216-556-4746

G.R.I.N. is a non-profit organization, we rely solely on the generosity of kind and giving people like you!  We're registered with a 501(c)(3) status, so all your donations, including sponsorships, are tax-deductible.