For those who haven’t met her yet, this is Brit.  She and her brother are a pair of puppies that I rescued from the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville, MD.  She tries to be a good dog, and generally speaking she succeeds.  This morning, however, was not a good morning for us.

It’s my fault, really.  I taught her how to play fetch, and she’s a beagle mix, so she has a natural hunting instinct.  I had assumed (incorrectly) that life in suburbia would prevent her from turning into the great white hunter.  Aside from the occasional errant squirrel, there’s not much to hunt for.

I had not taken into consideration that birds, apparently, were fair game as well.  My neighbors have a bird bath and feeder, so I get birds swooping through my yard to reach the birdie oasis next door.  As of today, they may need to re-think their flight plans.  Brit somehow managed to catch a low flying bird this morning and dumped it in the house like some sort of spoils of war.  The mangled mess of feathers I found waiting for me this morning was disgusting, and there she is, strutting around the house like she had just saved us all from a hideous intruder.

So now I have a dog that is not only mildly neurotic, but also madly proud of her obvious hunting prowess.  Me?  I get to clean up the feathers and blood.

Related Posts:
A theory about dogs & real estate
Pound Puppies Bring many happy returns
Holiday Weekends & Wet Dogs
Rescued Dogs Make Great Pets!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St.
La Plata, MD 20646
301-653-8116
301-609-9000

http://www.teambenya.com

digg_url = ‘http://www.teambenya.com/charles_county_real_estat/2008/07/bad-dog.html’;

The Washington Post recently ran an associated press article about the growing number of cats and dogs abandoned because of foreclosures.

The house was ravaged _ its floors ripped, walls busted and lights smashed by owners who trashed their home before a bank foreclosed on it. Hidden in the wreckage was an abandoned member of the family: a starving pit bull.

The dog found by workers was too far gone to save _ another example of how pets are becoming the newest victims of the nation’s mortgage crisis as homeowners leave animals behind when they can no longer afford their property.

The rash of discarded pets is gut wrenching.  I can’t imagine how their owners must feel surrendering their beloved pets to the shelter, but to simply abandon a dog or cat completely, cut them loose and let them run as strays, is simply disgusting.

Even shelters are overwhelmed at this point.  Shelters across the country are reporting a huge increase in surrendered pets, and for many of these former pets the odds of getting adopted before they’re put down is 50/50 or less.

I can’t imagine the loss and devastation I would feel if I had to give up my dogs, knowing that there’s a good chance they would end up being euthanized.  If anyone is considering getting a dog or cat, please, help ease the burden of shelters by adopting a stray or surrendered dog rather than purchasing a puppy from a breeder.  You’re making the difference between life and death for these dogs and cats!

Link to Washington Post Article

Link to USA Today Article

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
Southern Maryland Real Estate Blog

I’m
always amazed by how unconditional their love really is!  For the past
week I’ve been getting home close to midnight, and my feet are ready to
fall off when I walk through the door.  Without fail, all of my dogs
wake up when I get home and meet me by the door.  They’re obviously
exhausted themselves, but they make a point to greet me and show how
happy they are to see that I’ve made it home safe again.

You
see, I’ve managed to provide them with shelter, food, and security.
Before I adopted them, they were all packed into a crowded shelter with
limited provision and zero  attention.  Little did they know that they
probably faced death if nobody chose to adopt them!  I am repaid each
day a million times over by knowing that they are waiting for me when I
get home.  It doesn’t matter if I come home at 5pm or Midnight, they’re
going to be there to greet me regardless.

It’s a give and take relationship. 

I
give them a second chance at life, a good home, and plenty of love and
respect.  In return, I get 3 faithful companions who show me they care
about me, no matter what happens.  It’s amazing how a long stressful
day at work can drift from your mind when you’re greeted by a furry
companion at home.

It’s a give and take relationship with our clients as well.

As
a Realtor, I have found that the hours I work are long and exhausting.
Every morning I wake up I’m greeted by wagging tails and excited barks
from dogs that are anxious to start the next day.  Their energy,
enthusiasm and excitement helps energive me, and helps me start my own
days stronger and more confidently.

The fact is, I couldn’t
be a pleasant, outgoing, energetic person each and every day without
them, and I’m very lucky indeed to have found them!  They’ve become an
essential part of my life, and the three of them are now a vital
ingredient to my success in their own special, unique way!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
Southern Maryland Real Estate Blog

She’s a little mouthy when dinner’s due, but she’s a completely adorable, well mannered mutt!  C’mon, how can you not smile when you see a pup as cute as this! 

Not only that, but she plays well with other dogs, so she gets to enjoy lots of trips to the dog park!

She came from the tri-county animal shelter in
Hughesville, MD, and if you are interested in finding a great family
pet, I highly recommend you look there and the Humane Society of
Waldorf, as well!

~Jonathan Benya

Century 21 New Millennium

Team Benya

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