Size
(when grown) -
Details
Needs experienced adopter,
Story
COURTESY POST but applications through CompassionForPaws.ca
Benny Bear is a beautiful 1 1/2 year old marble male Bengal with charisma, charm and character! He loves getting into his harness and taking you for a walk. He scopes out the trees and loves to climb the best ones. He is brave and curious and likes to be active, but when he slows down, he enjoys a nap in his hammock with a view. He doesn't demand affection, but definitely shows his appreciation when you clean his litter or feed him. He is a great sleeper and usually spends the whole night in bed with his human and wakes you up 10 minutes before your alarm. He patiently takes a love mauling, purrs and drools when he's really happy, especially at bedtime.
Benny showed up at my home and after a search for his owners, I found out that he was intentionally abandoned in a park. That broke my heart, so I kept him and poured the love on him. Early on, I could see the anxiety while he went for walks if I walked ahead of him. He would pounce on my foot to stop me from walking. He still does that occasionally, but I think it is now more because he wants to be in charge of the walk and doesn't want me to lead him home. He is also very anxious during car rides, but will calm down after awhile and I've been seeing improvement here too. His comfort, trust and confidence has grown in the time that he has been with me.
Benny is a great eater and not too picky. He loves treats and could probably be trained with them. I feed him raw food twice a day and soft canned food twice a day and he is pretty good to eat most of it. I put dry food and treats in a treat wheel and he has fun with that. He eats out of a time polar feeder when I am at work.
I am hoping to find a better home for him because I work crazy shift work and spend long hours away, multiple days in a row where he is stuck in a tiny home by himself. Benny deserves better. He has been showing his displeasure at my long hours away by peeing on the couch and his hammocks. When I've been home for a few days in a row and sticking to the routine of walking in the morning for his bathroom breaks, he has been happier and uses the outdoors or the litter box. I do believe his peeing is directly related to my long hours away and possibly anxiety over the local feral cats. I am exhausted between work and trying to keep him happy and I do not feel capable of sustaining this lifestyle. I am not ready for a cat commitment, but I would love to be in his life and would love to be his cat sitter.
I think Benny Bear would be an amazing adventure cat. I think camping, hiking and possibly gentle water sports would be fun to try. As long as he builds his trust in you, I think he will be happy to go anywhere.
Benny would do well in a house where he is the only cat. He might do ok with older children and dogs, but I think it would be best in a quiet house. I would like to see him go to someone who has Bengal experience and who will love him and keep him active outdoors and get him into a better routine. A catio, frequent walks and supervised backyard time on a leash would do him wonders.
