Arthur has plenty of incredible stories. The one he loves to tell the most is about how American Dog Rescue was eventu- ally founded. He and his dog Buddy, a teacup Poodle, were glued to the televi- sion, watching the news of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in 2005. A year or so earlier, Gail, Arthur’s late wife, had suc- cumbed to breast cancer. “Buddy and Gail were inseparable,
bonding from the first moment they met. He was a one-person dog, very protective of Gail. After she was diagnosed with cancer and became very ill, Buddy was able to detect her seizures,” said Arthur.
organization with all administrative costs underwritten by Arthur himself. That means that 100% of the proceeds go directly to animal welfare and projects that save and protect animals. “I wake up each morning excited to
support two personal initiatives — adults seeking to improve their lives through education, and homeless animals that deserve a second chance at life,” he said. Living each day as if it were his last, he believes in and is inspired by George Bernard Shaw’s quote, “my life belongs to the whole community and for as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what-
Arthur Benjamin’s focus includes rescuing abandoned pets and live stock in the aftermath of disasters;
closing down puppy mills nationwide; putting an end to the clubbing of
baby seals for their pelts in Canada, Namibia, Greenland, Norway and Russia; rescuing abandoned circus and theme park animals;
putting an end to dog fighting and helping veterans with PTSD by connecting them with service dogs. For more information, visit
www.AmericanDogRescue.org
The Katrina news accounts about
family pets being left behind, were partic- ularly gut-wrenching to Arthur. “Oh, that dog chasing after the evacuation bus his owner was
on...that really got to me. I looked at Buddy and asked him, ‘what would your mom do?’” Suddenly, an idea for an internet ad
featuring Buddy popped into Arthur’s head. The text read, “White, good-look- ing male seeks Cajun girlfriend to wed — swimmers preferred.” Arthur placed the ad on his own website and it went viral, immediately raising $3,000, which went to help the pets stranded by Katrina. As a bonus, Buddy did find a companion — another Poodle named Holly, and more than 2,000 dogs and cats were rescued. “Buddy taught me to raise money for the animals,” said Arthur. In 2009, American Dog Rescue was formed with the lofty goal of finding a home for every adoptable dog. The American Dog Rescue Foundation is an all-volunteer
www.TheNewBarker.com
ever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. There’s a sort of splendid torch which I’ve got ahold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it to future generations.” Arthur has been surrounded by dogs
for most of his adult life, all of them res- cues. Scooter was an eight-week-old Shih Tzu, born unable to walk, and about to be euthanized when the two of them had their mutually fortuitous, chance encounter. He offered to take the dog to Texas A&M for observation, where doc- tors determined that Scooter’s legs had been crushed in the birth canal. Through rehabilitation, the little dog was soon able to walk. Arthur’s next plan of action was to find Scooter a good home. “But,” says Arthur referencing a
favorite proverb, “Man plans. And God laughs.” Everyone who met Scooter
will grab the cuff of my pants or shoelaces to remind me.” On a flight back from the Middle
East, Arthur and Bandit were to be seated next to an Arab businessman wearing tra- ditional headdress, a Keffiyeh and agal. Understanding that in Islam, dogs are considered to be ceremonially unclean, “I asked him if he would prefer that I move to another seat. He was very kind and told me that he liked dogs,” said Arthur. As it turns out, the two men had quite a lot in common, sharing many of the same values. They ended up becoming business partners and together, they are setting out to change the world, one day (and dog) at a time. If he had set out to do all of the
daunting things he is actually doing, Arthur said he probably wouldn’t do them. “But, I just look at Bandit, who looks at me as if he is saying, it’s an adven- ture.”
Yes, Bandit it truly is. Insha’ Allah.U Summer ~ 2013 THE NEW BARKER 39
would tell Arthur how cute he was. “But I couldn’t get anyone to adopt him,” he says, laughing at the recollection. Then Arthur’s own doctor observed
how the dog interacted with his patient, who was still grieving at the loss of his beloved Gail. “He told me I would do well with Scooter by my side.” So, Arthur had the dog trained and licensed to become a service dog. One more thing: he changed Scooter’s name to Bandit. “Now, wherever we go, he sits
absolutely silent, and just observes. He knows when I get upset, or if something becomes too much for me to handle. He
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