Ben's story begins with a call from his owner advising that due to some issues with her small son, she's having to find Ben a new home. With another child on the way, there's not a lot of options other than rehoming Ben, a hard decision for her to make but necessary. We agree to take Ben, a LARGE, healthy 10yr old OES, into our TOES rescue program and find him a new home.

Ben comes to Muttley Manor and now becomes Big Ben and is quite the character, with a penchant for trash cans and getting into mischef. One evening we missed Big Ben for a few minutes and then he clattered through the kitchen and into the middle of the living room, complete with our trash can lid around his neck like the latest of fashions.

As most of rescue folks know, it's not easy to place a 'senior' dog and Big Ben isn't an exception to the rule. Ben stays with us at Muttley Manor for two months when one evening we receive a call from a wonderful OES-experienced woman from Charleston, SC who specializes in senior OES's. Wilhelmina Hein, an enigma herself, drives up to adopt Big Ben and take him to his forever home and to add to her complement of three other OES seniors! As we watch Big Ben go down the driveway with his new family, we feel great about this placement.

Over a year passes and we receive a call for help from Charleston. Due to health-related issues, Wilhelmina, who's a citizen of Holland, must leave the country and can't take Big Ben with her. Of course, Big Ben needs to come back to us and we agree that Wilhelmina bring him back at the TOES picnic.....normally a fun-filled and happy event, this picnic has an edge to it. Wilhemina and Big Ben enjoy some time together with all the other attendees and then it's time to say good-by. All eyes are on the two as they say their good-bys and Wilhelmina hands Big Ben over to us and walks away. Quite a few tears flow......and then it's back to finding Big Ben another new home.

Big Ben is now 12yrs old and after another 2 months at Muttley Manor we receive a call one evening from a family that's seen Ben and immediately want to adopt him......they've recently lost their previous OES and want to give Big Ben a home. They win my vote when I mention his age and the response is 'we don't care how old he is'! So Big Ben's travels begin again with an adoption to a retired family of photographers, the Montgomerys. From time to time we receive reports on Big Ben and his 'travels' to various venues. He's become a much-traveled fella and is well loved.

Yet another year passes and we receive a call from the Montgomery's daughter, Teri. Mrs Montgomery is hospitalized and in ICU and with the circumstances grim, Big Ben needs to again be rehomed. Big Ben is now 14 years old and although still healthy, has a severe mobility issue with his hips. With the situation as such, there are some hard decisions to be made.

With Big Ben's original owner's obvious sadness at having to rehome him in mind, I decide to take a chance and contact her about Ben's situation and maybe, just maybe, this story could have yet another twist. When the response comes, it's so much more than I could ever have hoped for Ben. He's wanted! And not just wanted, but Tammy is eagerly awaiting his homecoming! She's aware of Big Ben's issues and is more than willing to do what she can for her old friend.

The day arrives, a beautiful Carolina blue sky and down the driveway comes Tammy and her two beautiful boys. I head out the door as they make their way to the house and right behind me walks Big Ben. Tammy is finally reunited with her old friend and sits on the ground with him, his head in her lap and again the tears flow. Tammy's sons have been cautioned that Ben is an 'old man' and they must be gentle. A priceless moment when a small hand reaches out tenderly and with his head on Ben's hair, we hear one word......'gentle'.

This time, when Big Ben makes his way up the driveway with his new (and old) family, we know he won't be back. He's where he's supposed to be. Always loved by his other owners, never forgotten by his original 'mom', Big Ben is home and although there have been twists and turns, it's poetic justice that his story has run full circle.

As an aside, TOES wants to thank Wilhelmina, the Montgomerys, their daughter Teri, and in particular, Tammy and her wonderful family for making this the happiest of Happy Endings! Ben's travels are over.