Age & Sex: 1 yr. old Male	UTD: Yes
Weight:  53 lbs.	Other Dogs: Yes
Color:  Flashy Fawn	Cats: No
Ears: Natural	Children: Under 5: No  Over 5: ?
Tail: Docked	Professional Training Required: Yes
Neutered: Yes	Microchipped: ?
Shelter Surrender	Location: Pittstown, NJ
Adoption Donation $300

9/4/09 - My Bentley Boo left today with his forever home! I'll miss him terribly but I know that he's going to love his new home and help him towards becoming the perfect gentleman that I know he can be!!

8/31/09 - Bentley is pending adoption

8/18/08 - So much good news to report on Bentley!!! Our little man is on his way to becoming quite the gentleman!!  I am sooooo very proud of him!!!Let's see....where to begin....Well, for starters, Bentley is SUCH a good boy in the tub now!!!  No more fighting me to get out, he just stands there, lets you do your thing and then waits for you to tell him he can get out.  I was pleasantly surprised on Saturday when he got in the tub-I was prepared for a fight!  But nope, not even a peep!!!Bentley's house-training is also coming along beautifully!!  He's almost got it, 100%!  I think he's only had two accidents in the last week.  And the one accident was right in front of the door, so he knew where he was supposed to go.  He was so close!When it comes to food, this boy continues to make me proud.  Such a little piggy!  He eats all of his breakfast and dinner and let's his foster sister eat hers in peace.  No more fighting!!!! (thank goodness!)Jumping is down to a minimum, though he still gets ecstatic when he sees me and wants to be right in my face.  But he responds to 'off' and know he's not getting any lovin' if he's going to be rude and jump!And now, for the embarassing details of Bentley!!  (Don't tell him I told you!).  Bentley has has NO IDEA that he is a 50+ lb big Boxer boy.  He thinks he is a tiny, 5lb chihuahua.  On Friday, we went over to a friends' house.  My friend was sprawled out on a love seat and Bentley decided that he wanted to sit there too.  So he jumped right up and laid on top of my friend.  Not a problem, for a tiny baby.  But tiny, he is NOT.  He constantly tries to sit in your lap and wiggle into the tiniest places.  A friend commented how Bentley 'didn't seem to know how to work his huge feet'.  I had to laugh, becasue this is so true!  He is ALL legs and it seems like they often get in his way.  I also discovered that Bentley is afraid of thunder.  Doesn't like it one little bit.  One night, with partically loud booms, he went to hide in my closet.  Which (unfortunately for me!) is not that big.  Another time he hid in the corner and would not move until it stopped.  So Bree and I sat with him and reassured him that the loud noises wouldn't hurt him and that they would end soon.  And that seemed to comfort him.  Because one thing is for sure...Bentley L-O-V-E-S his people.  Falls all over himself when he sees anyone he knows.  Well, he falls all over himself when he sees anyone he DOESN'T know either.  On Saturday, I had to take my kitty to the vet, so I took Bree and Bentley along for the ride as well as a quick nail trim.  Boy oh boy, was Bentley a HIT!  We had to put him up on the table to get to his nails, because he was just overcome with excitement.  But that didn't help too much, because he wiggled himself right off the table!  The tech kept laughing at him, because he was such a goof.  He just couldn't say hello to everyone fast enough.  Everyone commented on how handsome he is and what a good boy he was! When Bentley first came to stay with me I thought, "What am I getting myself into with a 1 year old boy?"  But Bentley has surprised me in so many ways.  He has brought nothing but smiles, joy and love.  And he's ready to share ALL that and more with his forever home.  Forever home...come out, come out wherever you are!!!!

8/9/09 - Now that Bentley has been here for a little bit, he's gotten pretty settled.  And with that, comes a new found interest in my cats.  He doesn't quite grasp the concept that they are other animals, not chew toys.  For that reason, NO to a home with cats.  He goes after them in full-force and more then once, has even gotten a quick nip in.  Other then that, Bentley continues to do well.  His house-training is coming along and the accidents are fewer each day.  Still not much success with the crate, though.  His previous 'boo-boo's' have completely healed and no new ones have appeared (dare I say 'yet'!?!?).  He know spends his night in my room, often on the bed.  :-)  He and his foster sister have become the greatest of friends.  They spend their entire day playing with each other or sharing toys.  Speaking of sharing, Bentley has made SO MUCH progress with his food aggression.  He'll still try and steal food or bones from Bree, but no longer with a mean growl.  Of course, he's 'mean' growl wasn't that mean to begin with,  just a puppy screech, but we won't tell him that! :-)In the weeks that Bentley has stayed with me, one thing has remained constant-he is the BIGGEST goofball.  I spend most of the day laughing at him.  He's hysterical.  He hasn't mastered 'down' (or even come close to it) so he just sits and kinda does a somersault thing.  I'm also convinced that Bentley Boo has spring-loaded feet.  This boy can jump!  He reminds me of a cartoon character-always jumping straight up and falling straight down.  No jumping 'out'.  I have a set of TWO stairs leading from my kitchen to my den and Bentley always jumps them like it's a flight of 30 stairs.  Funniest thing ever......

7/30/09 - Bentley went to the Vet this week.....SUCH a good boy.  Though I feel like maybe the treats she kept feeding had a little something to do with it... :-)  He weighs in at a mere 53 pounds...too skinny for such a big boy!  He needs to gain at least another 10 pounds to be at a healthy weight for him.  And believe you me, I'm trying!!!  Thankfully, he has a new sense of appetite and eats pretty eagerly.  No more one kibble at a time bit!  Besides needing to gain weight, the Vet says that Bentley is in great shape!!  She also commented on how adorable he is....which, really...I can't deny!  He is QUITE the looker.  I think he's starting to get a big ego because I tell him all the time!  But can you blame me? :-)

7/28/09 - Do you see the 'scrape' in the middle of his head in the pictures to the right?  He did it to himself!  He hates his crate!  Today I came home from work and couldn't even get in the door because he had managed to move his great half-way across the floor and it was blocking the door.  That and pushed the tray completely out of it and halfway across the floor!!!!!!!  A little Houdini, he is!!

7/25/09 - The Adventures of Bentley Boo and Beezie Bear     (Based on actual events)
Bentley Boo slowly opened his eyes as the car came to a stop.  "Where are we?" he asked his foster sister, Beezie Bear, his eyes still half-closed.  He loved the car; it always lulled him to sleep.  "Oh, wait 'til you see!  It's the best place ever!  Mom takes me here when I've been really good!" she replied, clearly excited. Beezie Bear gladly hopped out of the car but Bentley Boo was a little more apprehensive.  He wasn't quite convinced by his sister.  But that quickly changed, as he was given a cookie right when he walked in the door!  He looked around in awe; there were treats and toys EVERYWHERE!  "What is this place?" he asked Beezie Bear.  "Mommy calls it a Pet Store" she answered, her mouth full of treats, "but I call it Heaven!!!  They have so many toys and any kind of treat you could ever imagine!  And the best part is-we NEVER leave empty-handed.  A little hint-Mom is a huge softie.  If you find a treat or toy you like, just drop it at her feet.  She always buys it!  Stick with me, Bentley Boo.  I'll show you the ropes!"."Well, gee whiz!  I guess this means that I've been a good boy!  I wonder what I've been doing...." he pondered.  Beezie Bear dropped her treat, so she could explain.  Afterall, it was rude to speak with your mouth full!  "I know my Mommy pretty well, so I betcha I can tell you.  For starters, you've stopped jumping on people like you did when you first came to live with us.  And you get off right away, which is great!  Because I'll tell you one thing, that would have gotten very old, very soon. And you also come when your name is called, just like good boys should." "That's it?  That's all I have to do to be a good boy?  No problem!" Bentley Boo was so excited.  Being a good boy was easier then he thought!  But Beezie Bear quickly burst his bubble, "No way is that ALL you have to do!!!  For starters, you have GOT TO stop fighting with me when I'm eating.  First off, that is RUDE to fight with a lady.  Secondly, IT'S NOT YOUR FOOD!  Mommy ALWAYS feeds you plenty- there's no need to be a pig!  Besides, I've tasted your food and it's A LOT better then mine!"  "But let me explain!" cried Bentley Boo, "I don't mean to be rude about the food.  But I was on my own for too long and didn't always get food.  I'm just afraid that it might happen again!  I want to get as much as I can, while I can."  "But Bentley Boo!!!  You're safe now!  The same nice people who helped me, helped you!  And look at me-I'm living the life!  I always have food and water, more treats and toys then I know what to do with (but don't tell Mom that!) and tons and tons and tons and tons and TONS of love.  And one day soon, you'll have your own Mommy, just like me (But I'm more then willing to share mine in the meantime!"."Whaaaat?  You mean one day, I'll have a family all my own!?!?  REALLY?""Yup," Beezie Bear reassured him. "Your very own!  And I promise you, you will be so happy.  And so loved.  And you will never go hungry again!"With a new sense of hope Bentley Boo knew he must continue to be a good boy, so he can be perfect for his new family. "What else?  What else do I have to do to be a good boy?""Well, you should probably stop hating your crate so much.  It's really not so bad.  Consider it 'your space'.  Mommy can never go in there and bother you, I'll never go in there and bother you.  It should be your happy place.""But I don't LIKE being alone!" he whined.  "I want to be with you and Mommy always!  I don't want to be lonely EVER AGAIN!""Bentley Boo.  Trust me.  You will NEVER be lonely again.  I'll bet your favorite red bone toy, which might I point out-is really mine, on it.  Look what you're doing to yourself!  You have a big scrape in the middle of your forehead!  And I'll be honest, you look kinda silly with a band-aid on."Bentley Boo grimaced; he had hoped she wouldn't have noticed.  But she made a valid point...."I think that's enough for now, Bentley Boo.  One thing at time.  And don't worry, you're a smart boy.  You'll catch on in no time!"Bentley Boo gave his sister a quick lick of gratitude.  "You're the best sister ever!"With that, they ran to find their Mom.  It was time to get some shopping done!

7/21/09 - A boxer is described as '...happy, high-spirited, playful, curious and energetic. Highly intelligent, eager and quick to learn'.  That is, without a doubt, BENTLEY!  He is all that and then some.  Just a goofy, LOVEABLE puppy!  When it comes to Bentley, I am definitely a proud (foster) parent.  He has been doing wonderfully! He still jumps but no longer throws himself at you and will get down with a quick 'off'.  He knows to sit for his treats, breakfast/dinner and coming in and out of the house.  I no longer have to physically carry him in his crate-he'll walk in on his own (and without a fight!) He still doesn't like staying in there, but at least now he'll go in!  We're making some progress!As I've said, Bentley is ALL LEGS.  Like a little (well, not so little) lanky doodle.  He has a bit of hard time going down stairs because of it-he doesn't know how to control the momentum and almost slides down them.  That, or takes 'em 5 at a time.  He does better when following his foster sister or when I walk him down.   Mr. Bentley (aka Mr. Puppy Man or Bentley Boo) has also found the joys of squeaky toys.  He will squeak for hours on end if I let him.  He seems to have fallen in love with one toy in particular, a big, red, fuzzy, stuffed bone.  It is quite a sight to see him with the big toy in his mouth, sqeaking away.  I promise to get try and get a picture soon!!  Which shouldn't be too difficult, because he always carrys it around with him.  If we're headed to another room, he also runs back to get it; he won't leave anywhere without it!

7/16/09 - Well, a few days with Bentley and I haven't stopped laughing at him.  And don't get me wrong folks, I'm not laughing with him, but TOTALLY laughing at him.  He is the biggest clown!  His legs and feet are too big for his own good and he often trips over them. And let me tell you, those big feet sure take him places.  I have a 4 foot baby-gate separating he and his foster sister while they eat and are unsupervised.  But that's no match for him!!  He said "Lady, I see your baby-gate and it is NO challenge" and he hops right over!!!  Unacceptable, but quite a sight.  He is definitely all puppy, but WOW! what a difference a few days make with some firm reinforcement.  He is one smart puppy and catches on quickly.  He still jumps, but not NEARLY as often as he did when he first came to stay with me.  He has mastered 'sit' and gotten pretty darn good at walking on a leash.  We're still working on 'staying' and 'down' as he can't seem to grasp those concepts just yet....but one thing at a time!I learned after quite a difficult tubby, that Bentley DOES NOT like to take baths.  (Like any typical little boy!).  It took some effort, but I was able to get him all cleaned and smelling fresh!  He doesn't mind the actual tub, it's the getting sprayed with water part that bothers him....Mr. Bentley also seems to have a slight food aggression.  I feed he and Bree (his foster sister) separately, but he jumps the baby-gate and likes to dig into her bowl.  My girl sticks her head right back in there, willing to share.  However, Bentley DOES NOT like that (such a bully-it's her food!).  But he does share toys without a problem and even shares water!  I have faith in this baby boy and I know in time, the food aggression won't be an issue!What more can I say, except "So far, so good".  I truly am pleasantly surprised at how great he is.  He and Bree became fast friends.  Sometimes he gets a little rough but a firm 'No' and he slows down.  I just don't think he realizes quite how big he is.....He has tried 'playing' with the cats, but they want nothing to do with him.  And for the most part, he wants nothing to do with them.  Stay tuned for more great news on BAR's newest boy!

7/13/09 - Bentley got loose in his neighborhood and was picked up by a shelter.  His Mom called and said she was coming to get him, but never showed up(!)leaving this sweet boy without a home!  BAR to the rescue!!!!  Bentley is, without a doubt, your stereotypical Boxer.  Too goofy for his own good!  But what a sweet goof he is!  He is ALL puppy, so he needs a little work (he doesn't jump on you, but actually throws himself at you!)but I see so much potential in this boy.  With some firm reinforcement, he will, without a doubt, be a treasure for any home!