Born 4th April 2006 in Brittany France a tiny black dog
1 of 11 in the litter Aged just 10 weeks
With his 10 brothers and sisters
I think he must be amongst the most photographed dogs.
This is a shortened version of his life, mostly in pictures.
Arrived in his new forever family May 2006
in Brittany France.
We thought we had obtained a little black Labrador
He was eager to learn and please
Ben had his stupid moments
In fact he had many, many stupid moments.
He didn't get the hang of walking to heel for some time.
Especially when he got his eyes on his Dad.
This was a regular walk along the canal in Brittany where we lived.
He had his own passport and travelled regularly
to England, Scotland and other areas of Europe.
This was as walk along the river by the Humber Bridger,
we were staying with my sister and family Ben thought it was water he was getting into,
and it was the most smelly sticky mud ever.
Sorry Jen and Dick for the stinky animal who had to travel home in your car.
At Home
Watching for Brian coming home, and spying on the neighbours
Ben didn't like to be too far from Brian.
Along the canal in Brittany.
Cruising along the Canals.
He liked to be comfortable
and this is about the time when we
realised he wasn't a black Labrador
He loved life, running and playing he loved people and other dogs.
and he was up for anything any time.
Back in England when he first saw snow.
He spent ages hunting the snowballs we threw, Silly dog
He looked so handsome even when he was covered in snow
This was 2010 when we moved back to England and it was the worst snow for years.
Ben just loved it.
He hated gun shots and fireworks
Ben loved to travel,
and he loved water, any water.
Some of the places he visited.
The Northumberland coast, in April 2010 Druridge Bay
The Isle of Skye
Near Loch Ness
The chef here fell in love with him, he gave him steak for his dinner.
Seaton Sluice almost a daily walk after we moved back to England
Plessy Woods near Morpeth
Walk to Blyth and back, Ben did the whole walk some 2 or 3 miles in the sea.
We walked back along the path so we could dry him off.
In the sea at Cullercoats with Connor
Crossing on the ferry to the Isle of Wight
I know what he was thinking, Swimming ?
Isle of Wight holiday, back in the sea
Caerphilly Castle
Managed to stay out of the moat,
It was here that a young man asked if he could take a photo of his wife with Ben.
I wonder what they did with it
Walking in Deri in Wales
Not much water here for swimming
Visiting the Selkies in Scotland
Near Grasmere, Cumbria
The Lake District
Back in the water this time at Coniston Lake with Connor
Seaton Sluice I think he liked you to paddle with him.
He would always shake himself next to you, perhaps to make sure you where wet as well.
We just knew he was going to go in, he couldn't stop himself.
Holywell Dene another regular walk and dip.
Kielder Reservoir on holiday with Honey
Ben loved to have another dog to play with.
Scarborough
A walk along Newcastle Quay side, no dip in the water this time.
Baurton on the Water where he managed to have a paddle
A little town called Slaughter, which was lovely
Kirriemuir in Scotland enjoying the views
A visit to a castle near Kirriemuir, no water here for me to plodge in.
Looking after Connor when he broke his arm
And the time he stood on some glass, he was very brave.
Leazes Park in Newcastle
Ben was lovely with younger pups.
Meeting Buddy a new best friend.
And then Minnie
He enjoyed Culture
as long as there was a walk and some water.
Somewhere between Seaton Delaval and Cramlington
An art trail, very nice walk.
Nice walk with Bens good friends.
Druridge Bay
A pub in Scotland named after Ben ? we didn't name Ben after a pub.
Fort William, Scotland
Typical walk on the beach at Seaton Sluice.
Click on read more below for more pictures.
