Another stroke of bad luck for Bentham, the suspected former bait dog (Video)

There has been yet another dramatic development in Bentham's story--one that has been followed by tens of thousands around the world. This time, he was rushed to the clinic after a fire raged on the property where he was being boarded until a foster home opened back up in rescue.

Bentham was a suspected bait dog found by Long Way Home Animal Sanctuary & Pit Bull Rescue. His story immediately went viral online in November of 2012 (see original story, more pictures, and videos here).

After a relatively good update from Long Way Home on 09/11/13, there has been another stroke of bad luck for Bentham, who seems to constantly be just on the edge of a forever home and safety, only to have it ripped away. The update mentioned:

I think being at the sanctuary and being exposed to so many other dogs has been good for him. I truly think he should officially shed his old label of "former bait dog" to now just "Bentham, the pittie in need of a home".

Yet, just 24 hours after the last follow-up visit on 09/25, his luck turned sour, as it has so many times throughout his young two year old life. April Plemons, the Vice President of Long Way Home posted this update:

We got a call today....

Bentham's run is on the far side of the propery, near the property line. A house just on the other side of that property line burst into flames around 4:30am this morning. Oxygen tanks in the home exploded and unfortunately, there was nothing left of the house. A total of 6 dogs and 5 cats were killed in the fire, and two people were sent to the hospital.

Both properties were covered in smoke and ash.

Bentham was undoubtedly shaken. His eyes have smoke irritation and they will be looking at his throat as well to look for smoke damage. He had to get a corneal stain and be put on entibiotic/steroid drops in his eyes.

He was quick to get in the vehicle, and he is going to remain in boarding (I made sure to grab all his toys before we left). No doubt, this was incredibly scary for him!

A compilation video of his return to the clinic was posted on Facebook (and is included in this article). Fortunately, he survived, but he definitely experienced a traumatic event. Upon return to the clinic, the VP noted:

He is also being put on a restricted diet. He has grown to 61 pounds, and is very chunky. He was not getting enough exercise from either his previous home or at the property, so the clinic will be supervising his much needed, near 10 pound weight loss.

This would be a minor problem, except that the extra weight is clearly affecting his ability to go on walks (see video attached to this Examiner article).

When will this bad luck end? Bentham has survived a great deal and never seems overeager for more. It seems to be the saddest part of all--he doesn't know how great life can be for him. He had a great short run in his previous adopter's home, and he was just days away from safety. Long Way Home reports in their 09/26 update:

All of this on the heels of potentially good news....Bentham officially has an adoption application. It was received just two days ago. Thank God the fire was contained to that one property. We cannot guarantee this application will work out, but it is the first potential home he has had!!

Hopefully, his happy ending is just around the corner. But for now, Bentham's blows just keep coming.

To contribute to Bentham's boarding costs and medical care, please click here.

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To read the original story on Bentham, click here.

To read the 09/11/13 update, click here.

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If you would like to help sponsor his dog food or other needs, please contact april@mylongwayhome.org. But the best way to help is to spread his story online to get him a new home! The good news is the Texas heat is subsiding. The bad news is, he still does not have a couch to call his own.

Bentham's original news coverage can be seen here.

And here.

And here.

And here (audio included at the bottom of the article).

To see Bentham's first time going on a walk after surgeries, gaining weight, and being healthy enough to leave boarding in December of 2012, see here.

To see his first adoption promo video from November 2012, see here.

To see his newest adoption promo video, see here.

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The author, April Plemons, is an animal rescuer and welfare advocate. She is part of Long Way Home Animal Sanctuary & Pit Bull Rescue. Check out their Facebook pages below!

Long Way Home Adoptables & Friends

Long Way Home Animal Sanctuary

Long Way Home Pit Bull Rescue

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Have a story idea? Does your organization have a case that needs more attention or publicity? Contact me directly at april@mylongwayhome.org.

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