Ben’s Buddies

Happy Birthday Ben!  From your family and friends and pets too!!!

Long live the dog rescuer and pet savior!!

Love,

Rebecca

Rutherford E. Wellingston, III is a dog that looks an awful lot like Chewbacca from Star Wars.  Ruffus, for short, has a real life animal rescue story documented at www.BensBuddies.com.  Side by side the resemblance is uncanny to say the least.  It seems as though Ruffus has a little wookie in him afterall!

Laraque Francois Boucher

Rutherford Eugene Wellington III

Two of the Velez dogs, Rutherford Eugene Wellington III and Laraque Francois Boucher, have recently taken up a dog training class at the local Petsmart store. Ruffus has already passed the Beginners class, which Laraque has just begun. The dogs have learned basic commands such as sit, stay, leave it, take it, come, and lay down. Ruffus has also learned the famous trick, “shake hands” and Laraque is starting to. Ruffus has done wonderfully in the class and is even referred to as the star pupil of the class. Laraque, however, is challenged by the class because of trust issues. Laraque was adopted from a shelter, where he was because his parents were abused. Because of the abuse his parents endured, he was handed down a natural distrust towards humans. This is the main thing that stands in the way of him learning new commands and tricks. The real breakthrough was him learning the “lay down” command. Laraque refused to obey all people, and would not do the command. Then, Rebecca Velez attempted to teach it to him, and succeeded. Laraque can now perform the task from most people. His new challenge is being able to socialize and be pet by people he hasn’t met, without showing any aggression. Shiloh, the Velez’s oldest dog, is beginning to learn some of the commands as well, although she is not enrolled in any classes. Shiloh is very good and tricks because she will do almost anything for a treat. Overall, the Velez dogs have become familiar with many commands and tricks, and have much more to learn. The future is bright for these lovely canines.

For about twelve years, the only dog in the Velez household and that was Shiloh, Ben’s faithful old Beagle. But one hot summer in 2006, that all changed. Ben was at work in the U-Haul lot when he noticed two men throwing rocks and teeny little pup across the street. Immediately, Ben hurried over to rescue the dog. The puppy was terribly skinny, infested with fleas, and it’s fur was matted and tangly. Ben gave it food and water, then scheduled an appointment with the vet. The vet found no microchip on the canine, and since nobody had claimed him, the dog was welcomed into the Velez’s home. The family decided to name him Ruffus, and nurtured him back to health. Today Ruffus is happy as can be, and everyone is incredibly glad that Ben rescued this furry little mutt.

Everything was good with just the two dogs, but then in February of 2007, yet another dog was welcomed to the family. Ben was at the Arizona Humane Society helping out, when he noticed a scrawny little puppy that was scheduled to be euthanized. The puppy and his siblings were rescued from a home where their parents were abused. All of the canine’s sibling had already been euthanized, and he was next in line. Ben had too big of a heart to not rescue this poor dog, so he then hurried home with this little newcomer in his arms. The family excitedly welcomed him and decided to name him Laraque. Laraque adapted to the new household quickly, and him and Ruffus became quite the pals.

Ben has always loved animals, especially dogs, and he is always caring to a dog in need. This website was arranged for Ben as a present, and also to thank him for giving these wonderful dogs the opportunity to live.