Bento Box (or Bentley) was a Siberian Husky that our family adopted in May 20, 2020. Based on the original shelter records, Bento was around 5 1/2 January, 2020 – which would make him almost 6 by the time we adopted him.
Even so – we had expected to spend a long time with Bento. Once at a hotel in Concord (around 2022 I think), we had run into a fellow guest who told us she used to own a husky who looked just like Bento. While petting Bento and reminiscing about her dog, she praised how gentle and handsome Bento was and commented how Bento could live till almost 19 like her dog! I was psyched. I had no doubt I would take good care of Bento and took that meeting to be a sign that Bento would live a long time with us.
As things turned out, Bento would only spend a short five years with his “forever family” – passing away August 24, 2025…
Bento was the quintessential perfect family dog. He is always so gentle and warm to everyone. We will sorely miss the way he nudges and leans toward us, the way he gently retrieves his treats from our hands (or steals tennis balls from our hands as the case may be!), and the way he talks – I mean howls – these are memories that will always stay with us.
I feel Bento has been sent on a special mission to bring us happiness and to make sure we get daily exrcise. He usually expects 4-6 miles of walks a day, but he can take those walks 12 AM or 6 AM, whatever suits the family schedule. We are often very proud of walking Bento since he regularly sins over strangers with his howls and gentle demeanor.
In rare days when it rained continuously, Bento wouldn’t demand we walk him – although we have also happily walked him several times midnight in heavy rain during those rare rainy days/weeks.
But not only does Bento take care of his human family members, he also takes care of non-human family members, such as our backyard turtles and chickens – and for a time – a bearded dragon. Several times when a turtle got lost or stuck in the backyard, Bento would go find and/or dig up the turtle. When we let the chicken out to free roam, he would let the chicken eat and drink from his bowl, while keeping watch on the rest of the yard.
I cannot imagine a more perfect companion. Bento left in the easiet way possible. He was fine one minute with no signs of sickness – chasing opossums, drinking water, and lying on the grass. But then 10 minutes later, he would take his last breath after letting out an unusual long, steady, continuous 15-20 howl, seemingly to call his family to his side at his final moment.
With Bento’s passing, my family’s hearts feel like Swiss cheese. Over the years, our hearts have grown with Bento’s presence. But his departure has left lots of holes all over our heart and lives.
Bento will be sorely missed. We intend to leave some of our thoughts and feelings in these pages over the next few months or years.