Name: BentleyAge: 1
Male
RAINBOW BRIDGE
1/16/13 It is with a very heavy heart that I write this entry today. It will not be from Bentley's point of view, but from his foster mom. Bentley went to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday after his red blood cell count was checked and were at dangerous levels. Because of his heart defects, he overproduced red blood cells which meant his blood would get thicker and thicker. He was at risk for a massive stroke or severe seizure, so we had to let him go before letting him suffer through either episode. He had tired, sad eyes on Monday and his head seemed to be bothering him. The vet said he most likely had a horrible headache. Yesterday he was perky and happy and playful which was a gift to see for his last day.
Bentley was the most amazing little boy. He touched the hearts of so many people. Everyone he met through As Good as Gold, all of the friends and family and strangers that he crossed paths with in his many adventures. Many people were touched by his story and how he defied the odds so long and kept on living well past the doctors expectations.
Bentley will be missed terribly and we are saddened by his loss more than words can ever express. Now he can run free without having to stop because of being out of breath. We love you Bentley, Rest in Peace sweet boy.
Bentley 11/20/11 - 1/15/13. May your spirit bless us always.
If you want to donate to As Good as Gold in Bentley's name, it will help other Long Term Care dogs that are still in foster care. Please mention Bentley's name. Just click on his picture and you will be taken to the donation page. Thank you all for reading his ongoing story. He has touched your lives too.
Happy New Year!!! I made another milestone and got to be here to ring in the new year. Now my foster family needs to come up with more bucket list items because I just keep on checking them off. I love that I am proving everyone wrong and still enjoying myself. I am still hoping for a real snow storm because I want to play and make snow angels. I wish all of you a very healthy and Happy New Year!!
December 23, 2012: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!! It's almost Christmas and I have completed one more thing on my bucket list, I got to see snow. Foster mom kept telling me we might get a lot so I could play in it, but we only got a little bit. Now, I am only two days away from making my next bucket list item, being here for Christmas and getting fun things in my stocking. I can't wait to see what Santa brings me.
Foster mom says I am hanging in there. I do breath really hard when I do any exercise, but I am so happy and always wagging my tail. I love to cuddle with my human brothers and foster mom which is so nice now that it's getting colder. I am lovin' life right now which is all foster mom can hope for.
Maybe you will help me and the other As Good as Gold Long Term Care fosters by clicking on my picture and donating to help all of us. We would all love a special Christmas gift. Don't forget to mention that I sent you.
November 20, 2012: Well, the doctors told me I am a miracle dog. I made it to my first birthday!!! No one thought I would make it this far, but I showed them! I have stayed very small which they say has helped me. I am only 44 pounds and foster mom loves that since she sometimes has to carry me. And, I am the best lap dog. I love to get belly rubs and then I give foster mom kisses on her nose.
I did go to the cardiologist for another test and they gave foster mom bad news. My heart has gotten a lot worse. I will still keep plugging away and trying to prove them all wrong. According to my bucket list, I am supposed to play in the snow and then have my very own stocking filled for Christmas. Keep your fingers and paws crossed. Remember, you can click on my picture and make a donation and let them know that I sent you.
September 16, 2012: Hey Bentley Fans, guess what? I had a boat ride today!! Finally, the end of the summer and I get to do what I have been waiting for. It was a beautiful day so we took a drive up to my foster family's lake house and I got to go for my very first boat ride. I was a little scared at first, but after a bit, I watched the waves and my ears were flapping in the wind. It was a lot of fun. I am going to be 10 months old this week and I am having a great time. I am glad that I am proving the doctors wrong and living beyond their expectations. Thanks for reading my story.
July update: I am still doing well in my foster home. I am getting bigger and still as happy as can be. I really don't know that I don't have much longer to live since I am enjoying life to the fullest, but I do know when I have a hard time breathing I need to lay down and wait until I can catch my breath.
I have been getting to experience lots of fun things, even a little swimming. Foster mom doesn't really let me swim because I get too weak, but I do walk around in the water. I also watch my foster siblings jump off of the pier. I thought it looked like so much fun that I did it myself. Foster mom was right there to catch me. I have started Bentley's Bucket List and swimming and dock diving can now be crossed off of the list. Next I want to ride on a boat. It's been too hot to do that, so maybe on our next trip to my new favorite place. If you would like to help me or other Long Term Care dogs like me, please click on my picture to make a donation and tell them I sent you. We will be so grateful. Thanks!
May update: Well, it looks like my heart doesn't want to work that well already, so I am going to stay in my wonderful foster home and get spoiled like crazy. I am so happy that As Good as Gold took me in knowing that I am so sick. They are giving me a wonderful life, even though it will be cut short. If you would like to donate to As Good as Gold so they can continue to help pups like me, please click on "Donate" on the left side of your screen. I wouldn't have been here if it wasn't for them, and it takes people like you to make that happen. You can even say that I sent you.
My story:
I’m looking for someone with an extra big heart. You see, the heart I was born with isn’t working so well. It’s got what they call “defects” and it means I can’t do as much as a regular Golden. But don’t you worry, because even though it doesn’t pump the way it should, it’s still full of all the love you could ever want. In fact, I think my heart got an extra dose of love to make up for the broken parts!
I am the 26th puppy that my foster mom has taken into her home and she says I am definitely the easiest. She didn’t think I even had a voice because I was so quiet. But I showed her when I let out a bark at that puppy in the fireplace. It’s kind of funny that foster mom keeps a puppy there, don’t you think! His name’s Reflection and he stays right by the fireplace.
I love to play but I get tired very quickly and then I just go, all by myself, into my crate and take a nice nap. I love it in there and when I wake up I have more energy to play quietly with my toys. It’s fun to pounce on them and then prance around showing them off to the other dogs in the house. They’re nice to me and don’t steal them away, even though they’re bigger.
So I think you can see where this is going. I am an easy, happy puppy that just wants to spend some time with you. I probably won’t have as much time as a healthy dog, but it will be quality time. I am quiet, housebroken, crate trained and I won’t even wake you up in the morning. I need someone with a big heart to take me in to a quiet home with gentle people so I can share all my love. You’ve gotta admit I’m pretty cute and I’ll still try to curl up in your lap if you like.
If you can find it in your heart to help out a pup with a heart that’s not so strong, please contact As Good as Gold to find out more about me, Bentley. And maybe I’ll get to live at your house!
