Originally from: Ron
                        
Our beloved Ben Ji died quietly in his sleep early this morning at home. He was having difficulty breathing yesterday afternoon, so he was taken to the Vet again, who found that his heart was racing and gave him an injection to slow it down. He was due to see her again this morning. But, Ben Ji being, as ever, Ben Ji, decided it was time to join his friends. He gave us the pleasure of his company yesterday evening and then went quietly to sleep never to wake. The Vet has tried so hard over the last three weeks, including several days in hospital on a drip, which didn't seem to worry him. We all thought that there was a chance.

Ben Ji, (born Intack Dinky Doo, 19–12–1991) was a successful show dog: Multiple show winner including 3 Best in Breed. Following a short career as a Stud Dog he came to us in July 1992.

I was inconsolable following the loss of Pat Si, one of our rescue 'Peke' bitches, so Joyce contacted the kennels and we were given the choice of nine 'Pekes'. We chose Dinky Doo. Well, he chose me! He came bouncing over, jumped on my lap, greeted me like a long lost friend and home he came. You can't really stand at the door calling "Dinky Doo" so Paul gave him the name Ben Ji.

We had never known a dog 'Peke' before. Ben Ji was different, perverse, at times bad tempered, at times morose, but mostly a happy dog. He did what he wanted to do, ate what he wanted to eat when he wanted to eat it. I was 'conned' on that first day, he knew a sucker when he saw one. He soon saw when the land lay and became Mom's dog. I was useful for showering him, (which he loved), drying him when he was wet from the rain, grooming him when he felt in the mood to let me. Sometimes, I was allowed to clip his claws, but more often than not it needed two of us to hold him down and his teeth were much in evidence. And, of course cleaning him up, 'Pekes' have finicky stomachs and their back-ends retaliate, not a pretty sight. Years of experience have trained me well.

Mom was the love of his life, everywhere Mom was, there was Ben Ji even if there was a door or a gate in the way he lay awaiting her return. He used to lie in dark places in the hope of tripping me up. He had a plot, 'Get rid of Dad and I can have Mom to myself'. The problem is that as far as I am concerned 'Pekes' can do no wrong, and he knew it.

Where I was appreciated was the caravan. As soon as he saw any sign of the 'van being prepared he was there, sitting waiting for the 'Off'. He loved our holidays, Mom always there where he could see her, as well as new sites/sights and smells. He kidded us he didn't like the journey. He didn't like it too hot, he didn't mind the rain or wet long grass. Dad had to dry him you see and that was a chance to swear at Dad, "Just kidding Dad, I didn't mean it".

Ben Ji came in to his element in the car. No sitting in his 'appointed' place for Ben Ji, any barrier was no obstacle. Get to the front if possible, otherwise jam yourself under the seat in a space big enough for a hamster. Even when Paul was on the back seat with him the battle went on. Comfort didn't matter, he had to be where he wanted to be. He wouldn't drink on a hot day, unless it suited him; so we carried a syringe and squirted in to his mouth.

A tribute to the Vets in his life, which at times was charmed. Early on he had an eye problem which looked as if he would lose an eye. The Vet tried a new treatment and his eye was saved. Various other problems throughout his life needed the Vets attention. His file is large. This time Barbara the Vet has persevered. She is upset too. If Ben Ji had shown any sign of distress we would have made the fateful decision, but as Barbara said this morning, "He was very good at playing dead, giving us all heart attacks, and then perking up".

So in the end Ben Ji made the decision for us all. He will be buried with all our other pets from the past thirty-four years in our Pet Cemetery. We have lost count of the pets of family and friends who lie in our peaceful little coppice.

If there are no animals in Heaven, then I don't want to go,
God Bless Little man, we miss you.

Love, Ron, Joyce, Paul and the Drew Clan.

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The country life is to be preferred,
for there we see the works of God,
but in cities little else but the works of men.