Ben does not realise he is a very sick puppy 
Can you help us save his life?

Ben

Ben is a beautiful 13-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy. Luckily Ben does not realise he is a very sick puppy.

We were asked to take in Ben after other rescues refused to help. 

Ben was returned to his breeder as he has a grade 6 Heart condition (the worst any dog could have).

Ben will cost an awful lot of money to make him better, but without treatment he could die at any time. We are determined to save his life.

Ben has been to see the specialist and it is confirmed that he has severe grade congenital Pulmonic Stenosis and Tricuspid Dysplasia. 

The procedure that he needs is called pulmonic balloon valvuloplasty and it has been booked for the end of August. 

It is a very difficult procedure and does not go without risk to him but WITHOUT IT BEN JUST HAS A FEW MORE MONTHS TO LIVE. 

Now we just need to raise over £2000 to pay for it. 

Unfortunately just to add to his problems, Ben now has kennel cough too. He has had an antibiotic injection to try to limit the effect this will have on him. 

Ben is in the most part a lively happy puppy - he doesn't deserve what life has thrown at him and is too young to die without having been given a chance. 

He torments the cats, barks at the postman, chews newspapers and pees on the floor - just as a normal puppy would! 

He has the most wonderful long eye lashes and very soulful eyes. Everyone who see him fails in love immediately and he loves all the hugs and cuddles that he gets. Luckily he is unaware how ill he really is.

A short message from Ben : I am pleased to be in my foster home and have great fun playing with the cats - unfortunately they don't seem to enjoy it as much as I do. 

I have lots of toys to play with too but I do get tired very quickly. My foster mummy tells me I'm not very well and need the help of lots of lovely people. If you are one of those THANKYOU from the bottom of my heart - no pun intended!

If you can help in any way please do because he is such a special little chap. 

Please come back here for updates on Ben's progress. 

If you can help Ben 
have a life-saving operation
please make a donation towards his medical costs
either by clicking on the button below

or post it to

Pro Dogs Direct
126 Davenport Road
Catford
London SE6 2AS

Thank you

Ben's Blog

4 September

Thought you would like to see some photos of my outing to Greenwich on Saturday. They are of me resting in Greenwich Park after an exhausting trip round the market with one of mummy's daughters who was visiting from Spain. She wanted to take me back with her but she said there wasn't room in the suitcase as I was too heavy! Cheek! She has gone home now and I don't suppose I will see her again as she will not be back until Christmas. 

The other photo is of me trying to work out how to get to the treats in the puzzle. This was donated by Company of Animals and is perfect for me as it helps to exercise my brain as I am not able to do really energetic activities. I did work out how to do it but then they then made it harder by putting in some pegs - haven't worked that one out yet but I will!

Will be in touch again after my appointment on Thursday - hopefully with a date for my op! Bye for now xxx

1 September

Thought it was about time I wrote again just to keep everyone in the picture. 

I have been taking my medicine well and now have two doses a day, the amount I take has also been increased - and no I didn't get sleepy! 

I have an appointment booked for 9 September to have another ultrasound to be 'measured up' ready for my op as I have grown a lot since they last saw me. I should have my op about a week later if all goes well.

On Sunday mummy took me to what is called a 'Boot Fair' - funny that as I didn't see many boots for sale, still, never mind it was very exciting with lots and lots of people who all wanted to say hello to me! I think that I'm quite famous now. 

Lots of them wanted to know what will happen to me after the procedure when I am better. Mummy said I would be rehomed. I was quite upset because I thought I already had a home but mummy explained that there will be people who, although they couldn't love me more, would make better owners for me. 

Please DON'T apply for me yet though as this will be some time in the future, I will let you know when I am ready and what type of home I would like - I am very fussy though so you will have to meet all the criteria that I set!

It seems to have been a mostly quiet week in the Ben household this week, well except for the noise I make of course! Mummy says I mustn't bark at 6am as the neighbours might still be asleep. What at that time of the morning - I've been awake for an hour or more...........

Mummy changed my food and I like this one much better and have put on weight so the vet is pleased with me. I have also started on the medicine that I need before my op. It's not very nice but I do get a treat afterwards so it is ok. One of the possible side-effects is sleepiness - mummy says she can't wait. Not quite sure what she means by that. I'm still waiting to find out when my op will be but hopefully it won't be too long now.

I have also started something called 'training'. Don't know what it is but mummy says I have been doing it since I first came - well I never! I didn't even know! It seems I now have to learn things like sit, wait & stay. I'm trying very hard - mummy says I'm just very trying!

Well that is all for today - I will write again soon!

Hi everyone it's Ben here. 

My foster mum says I have to update everyone every now and again on what is going on in my world, so please check back to see new postings.

She said she was very sad when she lost Peggy, but then I came to stay. I think that means it was a good thing that I came but sometimes she does tell me off when I 'retrieve' the post and pee on the newspaper; well I didn't know it was today's and not put on the floor for me. I think she has forgotten what puppies are like as she usually has older dogs from the puppy farms.

I live with lots of other animals and I like helping mummy put the rabbit back in his cage. If I run after him he goes back in his cage so she says I am a great help. He is bigger than me though, so I don't get too close to him as he isn't very friendly. 

The cats are getting used to me now and Frankie told me he has a bad heart too. He is only 2 years old and has a grade 6 heart murmur. Sadly nothing can be done for him and I do try to remember not to chase him but I do forget sometimes and he tells me off.

My kennel cough is not too bad at the moment, but I do cough in the night sometimes and wake everyone up.

I am eating well, so that is good as I'm a little underweight for my age. 

I have heard that lots of people have sent money in for my procedure, THANK YOU.