“[H]e’s extra adorable” 💖
Benji may not look exactly like the other puppies at Colorado Puppy Rescue, but that is part of what makes him impossible to forget.
The young husky and shepherd mix has striking blue eyes, a tan-and-white coat and an unusually shaped face caused by a condition known as a wry bite. His jaw is asymmetrical, making his nose angle slightly in one direction while his lower jaw shifts the other way.
Rather than seeing his appearance as a flaw, the people caring for Benji believe it gives him even more personality. His unusual features have already captured plenty of attention online, with one admirer even comparing his face to a living Picasso painting.
Benji, however, does not seem to realize there is anything unusual about him. He was born with his distinctive jaw and behaves just like any other playful young dog. He enjoys affection, exploring his surroundings and spending time with the people and animals around him.
Before Benji moves into a permanent home, his caregivers want to make sure his jaw will not create health problems later in life. A veterinarian is expected to remove several teeth that could potentially cause discomfort as he grows. Once that is taken care of, his unusual bite should simply remain one of the many features that make him recognizable.
His appearance might be what first catches people’s attention, but those who know Benji say his personality is the real reason people fall in love with him.
He is described as affectionate, intelligent and eager to make friends. Benji reportedly gets along well with other dogs, cats and children, making him a potentially wonderful companion for many different kinds of families.
Life in foster care has also helped Benji make remarkable progress.
When he first arrived at Colorado Puppy Rescue, he was frightened and unsure of himself. His foster family began taking him along on outings and introducing him to new experiences, giving him the chance to slowly become more comfortable with the world.
Over time, that nervous puppy began showing a completely different side of himself. Benji became more confident, outgoing and social, eventually developing into the playful and loving dog his caregivers knew was hiding underneath his fear.
His foster family has been so impressed by his gentle temperament and love of people that they believe he might even have the qualities needed to become a therapy dog someday. Benji enjoys both giving and receiving affection and seems eager to please the people around him.
For now, though, his biggest goal is much simpler: finding a permanent family of his own.
Benji remains available for adoption, and the rescue hopes to match him with people who will appreciate everything that makes him different. After arriving as a scared puppy and growing into a confident, goofy and affectionate companion, he is finally ready to begin the next chapter of his life.
His crooked smile may make him stand out in a crowd, but the people who have cared for him believe his loving personality is what will ultimately help him find the home he deserves.