Benji and Winter are looking for their forever

Benji - Male, 12 years old (more brown on back)

Winter - Female - 10 years old  (more white on back)

Location - Powys, Mid Wales

Meet Benji and Winter who are dad and daughter and have been in our care since April. 

Do not be fooled by their ages, they are very spritely, playful bassets who are very much bonded and must stay together. 

Please read their blog in full, they both have their own individual needs for their own personalities.

Benji and Winter have spent their foster time living with an older pony who they have been very happy to go and visit daily as well as visits from younger grandchildren who they have been very well behaved with. 

Feeding - They are both fed Dr Silver complete food for older dogs, mixed with wet tinned food and a sardine.  They are fed a main meal late afternoon with a small breakfast.  Winter is fed separately as she gobbles her food and then goes off looking for more!   If she is allowed to go over to Benji's bowl she will try to push it away from him which causes a tiff, so feeding separately is a must for these two.   Any treats given are small and quickly eaten or again Winter will try to steal Benji's.

When their food is being prepared you will need to watch Benji, if he feels Winter is getting too close there will be fisticuffs.  Mainly all noise but potentially this could escalate, so best to keep them separate when food is being prepared. 

When they initially came into foster they needed tempting to eat, however we believe they were grieving the loss of their previous owner and a little grated cheese and some gentle words got them interested in eating well. 

They have both enjoyed dental chews, cheese, salami, rabbit's ears, dropped toast, cucumber an whatever the visiting grandchildren have dropped! 

They both like to sleep on a bed, Winter likes to share, Benji likes to object verbally to this, however Winter will win and they are often found squeezed into the same bed or the sofa together. 

They have not been upstairs at the foster home but manage to jump on and off  the sofa.

They do use a ramp to get in and out of the car but are happy to half jump in and be butt boosted in without any trouble.

They both travel in the boot together 

Both Benji and Winter have been left for short periods of time and they have been happy to stay home alone, together.  They have been left for a longer time and were asleep when the foster family got home.  They are really happy around people though so a home with someone there most of the time is preferable for these two. 

They would be happy to be left for up to 3 hours.  

Winter is very much laid back and will trot alongside you when walking.  She will walk fast enough to keep up but no faster!  She has recently started flirting with other dogs on walks, but any slightest grumble and she will carry on her way. 

Benji will also trot alongside you and loves it when you talk to him as you walk, he listens to every word you say to him.

Initially they would both avoid strangers and were nervous around people they had not met before.  They are both definitely getting more confident and will now sometimes approach people when out walking. Winter needs to be watched around "stranger" children as she loves to get their attention and not all children like dogs.  

They both will try to chase and play with other dogs on walks, but once they realise they can't keep up they give up and continue on their walks.

Both have ignored any rabbits or farm animals when out on walk, and we believe they could live with a dog savvy cat. 

Benji is showing signs of protecting "his property" so if you are having visitors new to him you are best to pop him inside before letting him meet them. 

Neither have shown any resource guarding, they will take items, shoes, slippers, jumpers, but give them up to you when asked. 

Both are clean in the house, the only time there has been an accident is if the foster family have gone to bed early.  They have a long afternoon walk and a late pee walk about 10pm and they're good for the night.  

Winter is a gentle lady who is happy to be with humans and talked to, however she is a teenager daughter with Benji and likes to wind him up at times, but loves him dearly.   Benji is not quite as laid back, but with kind words, trust and time he will shower you with love.

Both were confident with the vet and let them do whatever was required.  

These two beautiful hounds have had turmoil in their lives, their previous owner sadly passed away and they were definitely showing signs of grief so you will need to be patient with them and help them transition to their new homes. 

All they want is each other, kind words and love. 

Do you think you can give that to this ready made basset family?  

 Benji and Winter need someone who is at home more often than not and prepared to put in the time to help them settle and understand they in their forever home

• Someone who is willing to work with both Benji and Winter whilst they get to know you and their new home
• Consideration that Benji and Winter have suffered grief in the past and will take time to transition to their new lives
• A dog savvy cat could be lived with, with gentle introductions
• Other resident dogs will be considered but consideration must be given that Benji and Winter are bonded and may not want a third wheel in their lives 
• Both enjoy their walks and chats; someone who is will be at home more often than not 
• Patience and time to spend with both Benji and Winter in the crucial first few weeks as they adapt
• Dog savvy children over the age of 5 will be considered - and they will be required to attend the meet and greet
• Someone who understands all of Benji and Winter's needs as individuals

Taking on a rescue dog is not the easy option. You need to be prepared to help a confused and troubled hound find their place in your family. They have been through a massive upheaval and will need time to settle into a new way of life, so please consider this BEFORE you fill in an application.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Benji and Winter are subject to an adoption fee and a successful home check. If your home check is successful, your family will need to be able to travel to his foster home to meet him and his foster family.

You will also have a telephone call with a member of the team, plus their foster family, so that all of their history can be shared with you in person, and that we can be assured that you can fill all of their individual needs and requirements.

Benji and Winter come with 5 weeks free insurance via our rehoming partner, Agria.

Benji and Winter as with all of our hounds will have full rescue back up for life.

Thank you for reading Benji and Winter's blog. Please share where you are able