In June, a woman strolling down a street in Tampa, Florida, noticed something unusual in a house window: a frail and unhealthy-looking poodle standing by the glass. Sensing something was wrong, she decided to take action. “From the street, she could see he was just a skeleton,” Debbie Goldsberry, the founder of Senior Paws Sanctuary, explained to The Dodo. Concerned, the woman alerted animal control after returning home.
Upon entering the house, animal control officers discovered not just one, but three starving dogs. Sadly, two of the dogs did not survive despite the rescue efforts. The poodle who had initially drawn attention was in dire straits, clinging to life.
This nine-year-old poodle, later named Beni, ended up in a local shelter where staff worked hard to aid him. However, Beni faced a daunting list of health issues: he was severely underweight, diabetic, had a tumor on his foot, suffered from a skin infection, and had lost most of his fur.
Due to his critical condition, Beni was slated for euthanasia. Before this could occur, a shelter email about Beni reached Goldsberry. “Without a rescue, he wasn’t going to make it,” Goldsberry shared. Mobilizing her team of volunteers, they arranged to transport Beni two hours south to Fort Myers.
Once in Fort Myers, Beni was immediately taken to a veterinarian, but there were doubts about his survival. “He forgot how to eat,” Goldsberry noted. “He’d put food in his mouth but didn’t know how to swallow. And if he did, his body wouldn’t process it.”
Despite the odds, Beni’s condition began to improve. After leaving the vet clinic, he joined Goldsberry and her 26 other rescue dogs at her sanctuary nearby.
Though progress was slow and challenging, Goldsberry remained vigilant in monitoring Beni’s health. “We had to be cautious with his food intake, as he often vomited and refused water,” she explained. While most diabetics crave water, Beni showed no interest.
Each day at the sanctuary brought small steps forward for Beni. As Goldsberry reflected, “Once he realized people cared, he started eating and drinking more.”
Goldsberry also dedicated time to comforting Beni, reassuring him of his safety and being loved. “He endured unimaginable hardship, so witnessing his first tail wag and playful moments was incredible,” she shared.
Beni’s health showed remarkable improvement. His diabetes stabilized, his coat grew back shiny and black, and he gained confidence. “His tail never stops wagging now, and he’s friendly with everyone he meets,” Goldsberry remarked.
However, during a surgery to remove the tumor from his foot, the vet discovered Beni had terminal cancer, diagnosed at stage three. Despite this, Goldsberry ensures that Beni enjoys a fulfilling life. “We make every day special for our little ‘blessing,’ and he will be cherished and loved for the rest of his days,” she said, determined to keep Beni’s spirits high.
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