Benevolent: goodwill or kindly feelings

Even as a young puppy Banta had a sensitive, kindly side. She really showed this when Casey, another puppy in training, joined our family. Banta was so patient and kind. Casey was shy and fearful but with Banta’s mentorship she blossomed into a confident puppy.

When Casey started teething Banta’s ears where her favorite “chew toy.” One day Casey chewed on Banta’s ear while she was loosing a tooth and Banta’s ear ended up coated with blood.

[photo 1: Casey and Banta in our kitchen eating their dinner side by side out of stainless steel bowls. Banta was in season so she is wearing a pink pull-up diaper, photo 2: looking down from above on Casey and Banta chewing on the same sterilized bone by my desk, photo 3: side view of Casey and Banta laying alertly side by side next to each other looking in the same direction, photo 4: Casey and Banta snuggled up with each other on a patchwork quilt, photo 5: close up of Banta’s ear covered with Casey’s bloody saliva]