My name is Bentley!

BENTLEY is a 7-year-old neutered male chocolate lab. Bentley weighs 87, needs to lose 7-10 pounds pounds and is up to date on shots. This dog is approved for homes with children ages 12 and up.

DESCRIPTION Every day is the best day for Bentley! This happy hunk of chocolate is always smiling. You would never guess that he has arthritis in his back. He takes medicine to manage his arthritis, and it doesn't stop him from enjoying life. He loves to go on walks and lounging with his humans. He would like to find a home where people are around most of the day to keep him company. Although he's a friendly guy, he will need a home with no dogs, cats, or small children as too much rough housing could cause him discomfort. Bentley will be a loving addition to a laid-back family looking for a sweet companion. Bentley was an owner surrender to the shelter when they moved.

Update: Bentley's foster mom reports that he continues to be an EXCELLENT houseguest! He has free roam of the house while FM is at work. On the days FM is gone for 8 hrs she has a dog walker come in for Bentley. The dog walker says that Bentley is a love and he really enjoys his walks! When FM gets home she is greeted at the door by a very enthusiastic Bentley who wants nothing more than to climb into her lab for some love and pets. He's happy to meet new people and dogs on his walks.

Update: Bentley continues to do really well in his foster home. He has settled in quite well, and seems very comfortable in his surroundings. He's a very chill guy, not unsettled by the sound of the vacuum cleaner or the arrival of the postman delivering mail, etc., it's unusual to even hear him bark. He really just wants to be with foster mom, wherever she is, doing whatever she is doing. He will move from room to room with her through the day, curling up nearby, or even climbing into her lap for a cuddle if he can. He sleeps on the bed with FM at night, and won't budge from the spot in the morning until FM gets up. He's a total lovebug. He's been taking his meds regularly, and his arthritis seems well managed as a result. The meds go down easily, twice daily, in a dollop of peanut butter, which Bentley regards as a treat. He doesn't appear to show any signs of pain or discomfort, and he's certainly not feeble! He hops up onto the furniture without effort, has no problem with stairs, eagerly jumps in the back of the car (he loves car rides!) and dances for joy at the prospect of a walk.
Bentley is dreaming. He's dreaming of having his very own forever family in his very own forever home. This seven year old boy is 88 lbs. of cuddly chocolate sweetness. He has excellent house manners, rides really well in the car, loves long walks on his EasyWalk harness, playing with his toys, and just being with his people, wherever they are. This chocolate gentleman has excellent house manners and loves to snuggle. He rides well in the car, jumping eagerly into the back for another adventure. He loves people, young and old, and gets along fine with the dogs he meets while out and about. He loves his walks in the park and around the neighborhood, playing with his toys, and just hanging out with his humans. He's continuing his lessons - he knows Sit, is getting better and better at Stay, comes enthusiastically when called, and has mastered using the dog door to go out to the backyard. This sweet love bug will make some lucky family a wonderful companion. He's ready to be some lucky someone's loyal forever companion.
Bentley sits politely for meals and treats, barely containing his enthusiasm, but I've been gradually teaching him that he must wait for me to give him the "Okay" before he breaks the position. He has cracked the code that his getting what he wants depends on him doing what is asked of him. Similarly, he has learned that he must sit by the door and let me put the leash on him, before we can go outside on our walk. I would say Bentley has a moderate exercise level, and is fine with two good walks a day, although he is totally up for more if that is on offer! I have had to limit his interactions with other dogs to avoid them roughhousing, per the vet's orders, but it's kind of sad, because he really likes other dogs and generally gets along well with them. He's met other dogs on our walks, and does just fine with them. I even met up with a friend of mine who has a chocolate lab (another Lab Rescue alum), and we took both dogs for a short hike in the woods at Wheaton Park. The two dogs greeted and sniffed one another, then fell into step together easily with no fuss, and had a wonderful walk. Cats and squirrels are another matter and Bentley will chase them if given the opportunity, so he will likely need to go to a catless household. He has a few toys he really likes, particularly his nylabone, and also a Kong which I fill with treats such as beef jerky or cheese. Oh, and he also likes fresh vegetables! Carrots, broccoli, snap peas, green beans - he happily crunches them all down. He's a really sweet guy who just wants to be with people who will love him and give him the forever home he deserves.

This dog is available for adoption from Lab Rescue LRCP. Lab Rescue LRCP rescues and places dogs in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and northeast North Carolina (30 miles east of I-95 and north of the Pamlico Sound.) Adopters must travel to Maryland, or Virginia with their family - human and canine - to meet the dog they want to adopt.

Lab Rescue LRCP has between 40 - 80 dogs available for adoption from foster homes across Maryland and Virginia, and at monthly adoption events. The adoption event dates and locations are listed at www.lab-rescue.org.

If you are interested in adopting, please visit www.lab-rescue.org and complete an adoption application. After you submit an application, you will hear from an Adoption Coordinator who will guide you through the adoption process.

An adoption fee is charged to cover the cost of veterinary care and a home visit is required.