There are a very few people that can email me saying “I think I have a good dog for your program” that I will respond immediately to. Matthew Sica is one of them. He was the Foster Dad to our beloved Zoltan (who’s’ pairing is top notch!).  Matt’s email about his new foster dog, Bentley, came at a time when Donna and I had just begun looking for our next dog.  After the phone conversation Matt and I had about Bentley, I was eager to meet and evaluate him.  Bentley wasn’t the exact package that we were currently looking for, and at the moment we were only able to house one dog thru training. However, this was a call from Matt, whom I respected. Matt not only fosters the dogs he helps find homes for, but he trains them and works with them to adopt out the best dog possible.  I arranged a evaluation with Donna the next day.

*Below is from Donna, our Trainer, as she has spent the last two weeks meeting /training with Bentley

Bentley

I got the call from Jen one day that I needed to go do a Behavior Assessment on Bentley.  I made the arrangements to see him the next day.  When I laid eyes on Bentley, I have to admit, I fell in love a little… His coloring and eyes… Wow!  I remember thinking I hope he’s as smart as he is cute!  Bentley was curious and friendly, in no way over bearing for the greeting.  After watching Bentley interact with the other dog and his foster dad, I was confident he would be a good candidate!  After hearing a little about his known history, I spent some time getting to know Bentley.  He is a wet noodle, smart (he even showed me he knows how to Roll Over!), and has a great level of compassion.  Our boy Bentley is the total package! 

That was my initial assessment of Bentley a little over a week ago… It still stands today.  Bentley is progressing nicely!  He is an eager pupil, and learning is very natural to him.  He loves to play, and when he gets excited, he can be a bit of a ‘wild man’ at times.  He’s learning how to hold it in until the appropriate time… it’ll come… 

While he’s been great so far, he is not perfect; he needs refinement and to learn some new skills, but I know in no time I will be referring to him as Gentleman Bentley.

The nest day I was in the area with Donna and we made a surprise visit to see Bentley.  I fell in love with him at first sight, his coat and marking were beautiful. The picture did not do him justice. The bridle is more fawn and blue, his nose and eyes lined with blue. He was huge and solid, but goofy and puppy like (two years old). Bentley has some massive wrinkles and folds (that Donna says his collar gets *caught in*- kinds funny) and he prances. Bentley has the most prancy, cocky, happy walk I have ever seen!  I gave him *free love* cause I knew I could, this one time only…..

Matt offered to still keep Bentley and continue to train him (under Donna guidance) for as long as it took to get him ready to pair with his Veteran. AND he offered to donate and do this for free!!! This was music to my ears! At a time we needed this most! The next thing we knew, Bentley was in!!!

Yesterday we took  Bentley for his first *in Store* training at Home Depot (our favorite place to do this!). Everything went even better than expected….can you tell?

With much excitement and long overdue, I proudly announce our next Stiggy’s Dog, Bentley!