Ben & Jerry, April 28 – June 30, 2008
This post is from Spencer’s human mom:
Life rarely ends like a movie…where everyone lives happily ever after. Yesterday was one of those days when it was painfully reminded to us. At 4pm yesterday afternoon we had to say goodbye to Ben & Jerry. Even though we only had the privilege of knowing them a little over a month, we loved the little guys. We hope that they enjoyed the short time they had with us.
Life dealt them a very bad hand. They came to us at the age of 4 weeks, dumped at a shelter by a thoughtless breeder. On top of that they had a myriad of health issues. The worst of which was distemper, discovered last week. Despite all our love and thousands of dollars in vet care, we could not save them and the time came when the right thing to do was to say goodbye.
I am extremely sadden but I am also very angry. All of the problems from which Ben & Jerry suffered from were completely preventable if the person (Can I call someone who would so horribly neglect a living breathing innocent creature such a thing? I think monster is more appropriate.) had given them the proper care they needed and deserved from birth. All their needless suffering was caused by human negligence and selfishness. And worse, this is not an isolated case. We are seeing so much animal neglect and abuse in our society it is sickening.
Ghandi once said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Well, I think that we as a nation need to look hard at how we measure up. In a society that is becoming increasingly obsessed with consumerism, we become more and more narcissistic and believe in a disposable life. Life is not disposable…it is fragile and to be cherished. We are not long for this world and yet we seem to forget that daily…random acts of selfishness and callous ignorance of others…this is becoming the norm and it should scare you.
Despite a large number of people who genuinely love and take care of their pets, an alarming number of animals are ending up in shelters and being euthanized or simply being left on the streets each year. And let’s not forget the ignorance of people who churn out litter after litter without any responsibility to making sure the animals are properly cared for and placed in loving homes.
So really think long and hard before you get an animal. That animal deserves to be loved and cherished. It is a living, breathing, thinking and feeling being. I would like to suggest that we need far harsher penalties than misdimeanours for animal negligence and cruelty.
In closing, thank you to all our follow animal lovers and bloggers who showed such tremendous support for Ben & Jerry over the past month. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Treasure life and those you love…you only get one chance.
Hey Spencer!
Do you know how lucky you are to have your humans? They are so full of love and compassion that everyone would pick them for their own friend. Not many humans are like that these days. Your humans are one of kind and we are blessed to have them.
Althea and Buddy
My heart goes out to your family. I have been following Ben’s and Jerry’s story and have been afraid to read your blog for the last few days, after learning they were ill. This is what I was afraid I was going to see. Bless you for showing these two beautiful boys so much love during their short lives. I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. I cannot fathom how someone can have so much disregard for an innocent life. Your use of the word monster is spot-on.
Please give Spencer a big hug and tummy rub from me and my golden girl, Abby. Thanks again for sharing Ben and Jerry’s story and for your wonderful blog.
It makes me so sad when sweet innocent little doggies are neglected and mistreated…It was so wonderful they had some happy days with you :)…what lovely little doggies they were :)
Spencer,
We still feel sad. Dad watches the videos with us of how happy Ben and Jerry were living at your house. At least they had some good times with you and your people. You and your people are saints and angels. If not everyone cares (dad uses bad words for those people), it’s good that the people that do care do so as much as y’all do. It is a honor to know y’all even if it’s only through the cypernet. We love youl just as much as our family pack members. Thank you for being you.
-TBH
Dear Spencers Humansm
On behalf of Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you did for Ben and Jerry. Right from the start, when we desperately called you at the last second to ask if you could please take in two very sickly 4 week old pups….you, without an ounce of hesitation, opened your heart and your home to them. You spent many, many sleepless nights getting up with them every hour for potty breaks and a midnight dose of love. You cooked them special meals, trained them, nurtured them, loved them. And when the time came to say goodbye…..you were right there….trading their pain for your own.
In anyone’s eyes, you became Ben and Jerry’s heroes, and ours!
Deborah Nicolle
Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue
I’m so very sorry to hear about Ben and Jerry.
Thank you so very much for providing them with a loving, caring home for their brief lives…you are the kind of people we need more in this world!
I used to work at an animal ER and we saw cases like this far too often. Education is badly needed, though it’s kind of hard to teach those who are daft, and who give little thought to helpless, defenseless creatures. Great video of Ben and Jerry. At least they knew someone loved them at the end. *cries*
Oh so sad. I am glad they were surrounded by a loving, responsible family in their fianl days.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The lump in my throat will never amount to the sadness that everyone feels for you and your family.
Oliver is thankful to have folks like you to care for those who can’t care for themselves.
Thank you for your wonderful blog and the love you’ve given your animals.
Oliver and Penny
To Spencer and your Human Parents: My heart is broken for what these poor little guys have gone thru in such a short time but the love and care you gave them until the end was truly amazing. You should be commended for making their very short time here full of love and happiness. Everyday I have watched to see how the little guys were doing and today, I read the horrible news. I sit here in tears, heavy hearted, sad and very angry that someone (you are right to say Monster) could do this and not be held accountable. Something needs to change.
Spencer & his parents: we are lucky to have people like you to give the love that so many cannot seem to give.
HUGE hugs to all!!!
Gracie’s Mom
I am so sorry for your loss. I’ll reiterate what others have already said, at least Ben & Jerry found their way to your family and experienced joy, love and compassion during their lives (no matter how brief).
Spencer & family,
We are so sad to hear this news. In fact, I (Nala’s human mom) am having a hard time writing through the tears. We are glad Ben and Jerry had such a loving home if only for a little while. It truly is a horrible thing that so many people don’t value the life of other living creatures…unfortunately, that belief is all too common and it really makes us angry too! We are thinking about all of you and hope you get through this awful time by cherishing those great memories with Ben and Jerry.
Amber & Nala
:o(
I’m so sorry to hear of their passing. You guys did a great job of trying to get their little lives going again, and I hope it’s a bit of a comfort to know they probably had the best time of their lives being loved by all of you!!
How sad…at least they were able to be with a loving family if even for a little bit of time.
Lots of Licks, Ruby (and her Mom Michele)
I am so sad to know about Ben and Jerry. I was hoping they were going to be ok. I know you did all you could for them. They were with you for a short time but you gave them all the attention and love they deserved. Sure it was a hard decision but you did what was best for them.
Thanks for sharing their lifes with us.
Lorenza and mom
I am so, so sorry to hear the news about the puppies, Ben & Jerry.
Thank you so much for your blog!
Many hugs to you all,
Dog Lover
Spencer – We are all still in shock. Dad keeps playing the videos over & over. He sez that a bad person didn’t do what he was supposed to do for Ben & Jerry when they were born, and then he used words we can’t say. He also sez that we should all thank the backward DOG in the sky that you and your people cared enough to do something about the situation. We’ve never met you but we love you just the same. Thank you to you and your people for caring for Ben and Jerry.
– TBH & Bill + Annmarie (our people)
Thank GOD for people like you! This world needs more of you! I am so sad right now, as tear roll down my face for Ben & Jerry. Give a big hug to Spencer.
This is so very sad. I’m so sorry. And it is awful that people are so cruel. It was wonderful to see Ben & Jerry happy with you though. It’s wonderful that they had lots of love and fun … even if just for a short time. You’re great for having given them that.
I am so very sorry! This has really broken my heart today.
Sincerely,
Ronda
AMEN!!! God gave us these precious animals to cherish, and unfortunately that is not being done in so many cases! Thank you so much for all that you do for these precious angels!!! You are truly special and Spencer is so very blessed to have you as I know you are so very blessed to have him! Please give Spencer Nicholas sends his regards.
Nicholas’ mom,
Kim