Press / Benji
Benji: his rescue, recovery and new family
By Viktor Larkhill · Updated 19 September 2026
Benji was about a year old when we took him into our care in September 2024. His skin was covered in lesions and crusts, he was frightened of being handled and he limped on a hind leg.
Treatment helped him recover, but his story did not end when his skin improved. He needed daily care at Casa Grande, surgery for a urinary obstruction and, just before adoption, an operation on his eye. In July 2026, we took him to his new family near Barcelona.
Benji has been adopted. The earlier videos include appeals made while he was still in our care.
The rescue and the first examinations
The first rescue video, published on 11 September 2024, shows his arrival and veterinary assessment. The team examined his skin, took X-rays and investigated his lameness. He already had a history of leishmaniosis treatment; further testing confirmed positive serology.
His first documented examination was on 4 September 2024. The immediate plan included treatment for the skin infection and further investigation of the skin lesions.
Watch this stage on YouTubePublished
Treatment continued at Casa Grande
Benji settled into life at Casa Grande while his treatment continued. He began running, playing and spending time with the other dogs. The September update shows that change alongside his return to the clinic for neutering and skin biopsies.
The biopsies identified superficial pyoderma and chronic dermatitis. His skin needed care in its own right, alongside the management of his leishmaniosis.
Watch this stage on YouTubePublished
Better, but still waiting for a family
By January 2025, we were sharing his progress and looking for a home for him. The marks on his face were still visible. The videos also show a sociable, playful dog who enjoyed being with people.
He remained with us while we looked for an adopter. Care continued through routine veterinary checks and everyday life at Casa Grande.
Watch this stage on YouTubePublished
An emergency interrupted his recovery
In October 2025, Benji could not urinate. He was taken to hospital with a urinary obstruction, and surgery removed stones from his bladder and urethra.
The video published on 15 October follows the operation and his return to Casa Grande. Laboratory analysis identified xanthine stones, and his veterinary treatment was changed afterwards. His recovery required follow-up care.
Watch this stage on YouTubePublished
One more operation before going home
In June 2026, Benji had a family waiting for him. Before he travelled, a prolapsed gland in his left eye, commonly called cherry eye, required treatment.
The veterinary record dates his operation to 29 June. The gland was repositioned and preserved. The video published on 30 June shows the procedure, his recovery from anaesthesia and his return to Casa Grande.
Watch this stage on YouTubePublished
Saying goodbye to Casa Grande
On 10 July 2026, Benji left for his new home. The team said goodbye to a dog who had become part of their daily lives.
The departure video follows his last morning with us and the journey. It ends before the next chapter: meeting his family.
Watch this stage on YouTubePublished
Benji arrives home
The adoption video, published on 15 July 2026, shows Benji meeting his family and their dogs, exploring the house and garden, and settling into his new surroundings.
His care history went with him. Adoption was the beginning of family life, with ongoing veterinary follow-up for his medical history. This is the latest stage documented on this page.
Watch this stage on YouTubePublished
Dates below the videos are publication dates, not necessarily the dates of filming or treatment. The chronology above follows the dated clinical record and the original updates.
For journalists
For questions about Benji, interviews, photographs or original footage, contact Let’s Adopt International. Please include your publication, the sequences you need and your deadline.
Please confirm availability and usage terms with the team before reproducing photographs or video clips. Any supply of original footage is subject to existing distribution agreements. Requested credit: Let’s Adopt International / Viktor Larkhill.