While working at the shelter, Daniele, a rescuer from Jersey Pits in New Jersey, overheard the animal control team discussing a dog trapped on a cliff.
Without hesitation, she sprinted down the street and started scaling the cliff in search of the lost dog. Upon spotting the pup, she called out to him, urging him to come down, but the little guy remained unresponsive.
Realizing that this rescue would be quite challenging, she prepared herself for the task ahead.
Rescue Mission
Determined, she climbed further up the steep and treacherous slope. However, despite being close to him, the Pittie showed no inclination to approach.
“He was so out of touch, trembling uncontrollably. Every time I got close, he would just retreat further away, putting himself closer to the edge,” Daniele recounted to The Dodo.
In a stroke of luck, Daniele was able to corral him, preventing him from edging closer to the cliff. Nevertheless, the pup was still quite agitated.
“Fortunately, I had my cell phone on me, so I called animal control and told them, ‘I have him cornered, but I could really use some assistance,’” she said.
Help arrived swiftly, and they successfully placed a pole around him, guiding him down and transporting him to the animal control facility.
At The Shelter
Upon arrival at the shelter in New Jersey, the Pit Bull appeared quite distressed. He simply sat in his kennel, pressed against the wall, shaking uncontrollably.
The staff attempted to scan for a microchip but found none.
“Since he was a stray, New Jersey law required a seven-day stray hold,” Daniele explained.
Despite the circumstances, this sweet boy wasn’t alone. Daniele visited him daily and took him out for walks.
As days went by, the pup began to warm up, greeting Daniele with affectionate hugs whenever she visited.
Once the seven-day hold concluded, he needed a foster home. Fortunately, someone stepped up and applied to take him in.
“He became so lively! We quickly realized he had severe separation anxiety,” shared Jessica, his foster mom.
The pup, whom they named Benny, struggled with adapting to family life. He caused some chaos, even messing up his foster parents’ office, which served as a reminder that he needed to learn about boundaries.
The couple’s existing dog, Sky, also noticed Benny’s unfamiliarity with being a house dog.
“She would glance at him, then look at us, as if to say ‘Is he staying here? He’s a handful!’” noted Veron, his foster dad.
Eventually, the dogs grew accustomed to each other, even snuggling up together during naptime.
Unfortunate News
Jessica and Veron noticed Sky behaving unusually and decided to take her to the vet.
They were devastated to learn that she had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
Benny intuitively sensed the shift in the household and took it upon himself to elevate everyone’s spirits.
“He brought us moments of joy and laughter. His energy slightly toned down, as he seemed to recognize Sky’s struggles,” Veron observed.
When Sky passed away, Benny became a source of comfort, reminding the family to cherish their memories with her.
By this stage, it was evident that Benny had become an inseparable part of the family.
New Family
Jessica and Veron felt immense joy at having Benny to accompany them through such a trying time.
“We’re so grateful that he appeared when we needed him most. It’s as if Sky’s energy aligned the stars for Benny to come into our lives,” Jessica reflected.
From once being stranded on a cliff and hesitant to engage with humans, Benny transformed into a beloved member of a family overflowing with love and support.
Benny, your resilience during tough times is commendable. I have no doubt that Sky is watching over you, delighted by your efforts to bring happiness to her parents.
Good boy, Benny.
