Benji spent such a long time waiting for his forever family and we never understood why. He really is such a gorgeous boy.

He spent two years in our care in Turkey, so long so that he developed some quirks which needed ironing out so he came over to the UK to spend some time with one of our very patient foster carers – Angela Stiles and her husband. Benji was nervous of people as he hadn’t been socialised with many people and needed some ground rules having lived in a kennel environment.

Luckily, a wonderful couple spotted something in him and visited him in foster care travelling from Birmingham to Southampton enough to decide he was right for them. Anna Alderslade & Jonathan of Chester-le-street believed in him enough to adopt him and they are soooooo delighted that they did. He’s proven quite the character.

Benji loves his new life, but this was his original story…

Benji is originally from Turkey after being found as a young pup with his mum abandoned on the streets of Antalya. His mum is in the UK in a lovely home and Benji too is now in the UK where he has been in foster care since January 2023.

Benji is a fantastic dog. He is a mixed breed (with some lab in we think) strong, long bodied with short legs and very unique looking, currently weighing about 27-30kg. He is two years old in June 2023 and has been health checked, neutered, chipped and vaccinated.

Benji loves his walks and will sit eagerly waiting for his lead to be attached, he now understands several commands – wait, sit, leave, on your bed and will wait for permission before eating his meals.

He walks so well on the lead, rarely pulling unless spooked or chooses to be stubborn, wanting to sniff every tree. He much prefers to walk in the countryside, woods and fields as can be scared around shops with a gathering of people and finds it quite traumatic. Having lived in our sanctuary in Turkey, he has little road sense which the foster parents are working on.

Benji is dog friendly and loves meeting other dogs as long as they are not too bouncy. We think he would do really well in a home with another dog as he is used to being around other dogs and loves it when one comes to stay. He loves to chill in the sun happily watching the birds and on an evening loves to lie by your feet happy to be part of his family.

Benji was child tested in Turkey and is excellent with smaller children, he is also brilliant with cats and has lived with them in Turkey and currently in his foster home in the UK, where he can be left alone with them, he travels well in a car and is good in the house, one of his favourite past times having an old shoe or slipper to chew on which he prefers to dog toys.

Benji is overcoming some fear and trust issues which are currently being worked on and does not like to be approached, he will growl from fear especially if it’s a man, however this is improving week by week as his trust is built. He will comfortably walk past strangers when ignored and will walk with other dog walkers, we are almost certain that with time Benji will overcome this fear.

We are looking for a home for this lovely boy with adopters who can offer patience to help him overcome his insecurities, preferably with another dog as this is when he is at his happiest and another dog will help aid his confidence. He is very quick to learn, is funny, cheeky and someone will be very lucky to have this lovely boy in their lives.

Benji had now found his loving forever family but if you want to register your interest in providing a loving home for one of our rescue dogs in general and giving them a happy future just like Benji, then please complete and submit our Dog Adoption Form.