Why is the Biggest Hugger Still Without a Home After Two Years?
Dogs, as we all know, are social animals by nature. They cherish human companionship and are happiest when they have a human to call their own.
For some dogs, though, the desire to be around humans and be part of a loving family is so strong that it’s all they crave day and night. One such dog with an indescribable longing for a forever human is Bentley, a Pit Bull Terrier Mix estimated to be around three or four years old.
Bentley’s story may be the saddest you read all day. This friendly sweetheart of a boy has been at Saved By Grace Animal Rescue for over two years without any luck in finding a forever home. Bentley had lived with his previous family since he was a puppy, but when his owners decided it was time for them to have kids, they wanted nothing to do with him.
“He had been living in a home since he was a puppy, but the couple decided to have children and kicked him out. They told animal control to come pick him up — they no longer wanted him,” Melinda Barthelme, the Rescue’s president, tells us.
Escaping Euthanasia
When Bentley was taken in by animal control, he found himself at a kill facility, where his euthanasia date drew closer with every passing day. Thankfully, Saved by Grace Animal Rescue stepped in the nick of time, saving Bentley from Euthanasia.
“He sat in the animal control facility, which is a kill facility, out in the middle of nowhere for several weeks, basically on death row. Right before he was taken to his appointment for euthanasia, we found a foster for him and rescued him,” Melinda says.
While Bentley is grateful to have been given a chance to live, he just doesn’t understand why he can’t seem to find a home. Staff at the rescue describe Bentley as a super friendly dog who yearns to form a strong bond with his forever humans.
Life in Foster
According to Melinda, Bentley is currently in a foster home. Unfortunately, he spends most of his time outdoors alone since his foster has other dogs, and Bentley doesn’t do well in homes with other pets.
“Right now, he is at a foster, but he must live in a kennel the majority of the time. It is hard to find a foster that has no animals in the home. The current foster does have other animals, and therefore, he cannot be in the house at the same time with the other animals,” explains Melinda.
The only thing that can make Bentley completely happy and content is having a forever home where he can be around his humans for as long as he likes. Since he arrived at the rescue on July 26, 2022, he’s only had one promising applicant. Sadly, the potential adopter changed their mind about taking him home.
“The potential adopter was approved to do a meet and greet, and we were so excited for that,” Melinda reveals. “However, after the meet and greet, they decided not to adopt him, although they stated they loved every aspect of him.”
Bentley’s Counting On You for His Happy Ending
Bentley knows he deserves more than being stuck in a kennel most of the time, which is why it’s taking a toll on him. “Bentley is definitely showing kennel fatigue. He strongly desires human companionship and love. He cries and howls when he is not able to be out of the kennel and with a human. He begs with his eyes to get out of his kennel when someone walks by. He puts his head down and tries his best to avoid having to go back into the kennel when playtime is over,” Melinda says.
Bentley’s ideal home is one where he is the only pet; that way, he’ll be the center of your world. He is a social dog who gets along with every human who crosses his path, so expect to see him trying to befriend your friends.
Bentley gives the biggest hugs and kisses, and when he is not pampering his human with affection, he is begging to be taken for a walk. Besides his love for walks, Bentley loves to play and has a hearty appetite for treats. And did we mention that this sweet, disciplined boy is leash-trained and is familiar with basic commands like sit and shake? Yeah, he’s an absolute gem!
If you’d love to end Bentley’s misery by giving him a forever home, please visit Saved By Grace Animal Rescue for details on his adoption.