Where Are They Now: Pandemic Puppy Edition - A Tribute to Bentli on His 4th Birthday!

Cassi B.
Apr 17, 2024
2 min read

Did you know that during the pandemic, over 23 million Americans welcomed a new furry friend into their homes? It's true! While the world seemed uncertain, many of us found comfort and joy in the companionship of a puppy, choosing to spend our days caring for and cuddling these adorable companions.

Four years ago, in early June 2020, life took a wonderful twist for our family. My children and I finally convinced my husband to adopt a puppy. We broke free from months of being quarantined and eagerly hit the road to Oakland, Maryland. We traveled almost three hours to meet our new family member. We picked up this adorable apricot goldendoodle who looked just like a sweet teddy bear. I remember as soon as I held him in my arms, I cried tears of joy. It was such a special moment for my family during such a dark time in our lives. Initially, his name was Nev given to him by the breeder, but our children agreed on Bentli which was a task in itself. So, Nev became Bentli and life has not been the same since...in the best way of course!

As a little fluffball of energy, he quickly became the center of attention, filling our home with laughter, love, and a whole lot of slobber. Despite the breeder's prediction that he would grow into a medium-sized dog, Bentli had other plans and decided to become a larger-than-life standard goldendoodle currently weighing close to 80lbs. But hey, who needs space when you have a heart as big as his?

From day one, Bentli has been more than just a pet – he's been our children's loyal companion, a sock thief, a running partner for my husband, a kitchen buddy for me and our personal security guard (or so he thinks!). Whether he's keeping watch over the house or following us around like a shadow, his unwavering devotion never fails to warm our hearts.

But let's not forget those puppy days – oh, how we cherish those precious memories! From the endless games of fetch to the late-night cuddle sessions, or the never ending games of tug a war every moment spent with Bentli was a reminder of the pure, unconditional love that dogs bring into our lives.

As I look back on those early days of the pandemic, I'm reminded of the silver lining that Bentli brought into our lives. While the world around us may have been uncertain and chaotic, his presence brought a sense of comfort and stability for my family and for that I will forever be grateful.

So here's to our furry family member, on his fourth birthday! Thank you for being the best thing to come out of the pandemic (well, aside from all the quality time with family, of course). As we celebrate another year of adventures, stealing our socks, belly rubs, and sloppy kisses on April 17th, we're reminded of just how lucky we are to have him in our lives.