Benjamin
Briarcrest's A Reese Son To Celebrate!
Benjamin’s registered name pays tribute to both Reese and his adoptive mom, Fee Fee, whose registered name is Watermark Celebrate. While looking up name meanings, I discovered that the biblical Benjamin was born to a mother who died during childbirth—sadly fitting under the circumstances.
Benjamin was Yellow Boy, and the last puppy born before the emergency C-section that ultimately cost Reese her life. Whelping had been going smoothly until I heard a cry from the birth canal and realized he was there without his sack intact. Thankfully, I was able to safely deliver him. I’m so glad he spoke up!
Just two weeks later, Brian called me at work to say Benjamin wouldn’t nurse and seemed very sick. He had been thriving up until that point, so I rushed him to the emergency clinic. He was in terrible shape, and to this day I’m not entirely sure what caused it, though I suspect coccidia. The ER wasn't able to offer much help, but thankfully he made it through the night. Dr. Burbridge and the staff at Watermark refused to give up and were willing to try everything to save him. I left feeling like I had done everything I possibly could, and miraculously, by the time we got home, Benjamin was nursing again. He’s been thriving ever since. I’ve never worked so hard for a puppy, but every time I look at him, I think to myself “he was worth it.”
Benjamin reminds me so much of Reese and Cooper, as well as his beautiful father and paternal grandfather. I had originally decided to keep a different puppy, but I spent an entire sleepless night agonizing over letting Benjamin go—much like I did years earlier when I decided to keep Reese. In the end, I just knew Benjamin was the right puppy for me. Benjamin is beautifully put together, with a strong topline, balanced proportions and angles, a lovely head, correct tail carriage, and eyes. He has always loved retrieving and proudly delivers everything right back to hand, and he absolutely loves to swim. Like his mom, his head and lip quiver with excitement over food. He also hates being hot, just like his grandfather.
I debuted Benjamin at the same show where Cooper and Reese made their debuts—and where I began my own show career. Always eager to please, Benjamin made me proud by winning Winners Dog and Best Bred-By Exhibitor on just his second day of showing under respected Labrador breeder-judge Mrs. Judy Chambers at the Greater Houston Golden Retriever Club Specialty. I joked that she knew a good "Lab-grown Golden" when she saw one!
Outside the conformation ring, Benjamin has already earned his first qualifying legs toward his Novice Scent Work title, and we're looking forward to finishing that title soon.
I am truly excited for everything that’s ahead for this guy!
Benjamin was Yellow Boy, and the last puppy born before the emergency C-section that ultimately cost Reese her life. Whelping had been going smoothly until I heard a cry from the birth canal and realized he was there without his sack intact. Thankfully, I was able to safely deliver him. I’m so glad he spoke up!
Just two weeks later, Brian called me at work to say Benjamin wouldn’t nurse and seemed very sick. He had been thriving up until that point, so I rushed him to the emergency clinic. He was in terrible shape, and to this day I’m not entirely sure what caused it, though I suspect coccidia. The ER wasn't able to offer much help, but thankfully he made it through the night. Dr. Burbridge and the staff at Watermark refused to give up and were willing to try everything to save him. I left feeling like I had done everything I possibly could, and miraculously, by the time we got home, Benjamin was nursing again. He’s been thriving ever since. I’ve never worked so hard for a puppy, but every time I look at him, I think to myself “he was worth it.”
Benjamin reminds me so much of Reese and Cooper, as well as his beautiful father and paternal grandfather. I had originally decided to keep a different puppy, but I spent an entire sleepless night agonizing over letting Benjamin go—much like I did years earlier when I decided to keep Reese. In the end, I just knew Benjamin was the right puppy for me. Benjamin is beautifully put together, with a strong topline, balanced proportions and angles, a lovely head, correct tail carriage, and eyes. He has always loved retrieving and proudly delivers everything right back to hand, and he absolutely loves to swim. Like his mom, his head and lip quiver with excitement over food. He also hates being hot, just like his grandfather.
I debuted Benjamin at the same show where Cooper and Reese made their debuts—and where I began my own show career. Always eager to please, Benjamin made me proud by winning Winners Dog and Best Bred-By Exhibitor on just his second day of showing under respected Labrador breeder-judge Mrs. Judy Chambers at the Greater Houston Golden Retriever Club Specialty. I joked that she knew a good "Lab-grown Golden" when she saw one!
Outside the conformation ring, Benjamin has already earned his first qualifying legs toward his Novice Scent Work title, and we're looking forward to finishing that title soon.
I am truly excited for everything that’s ahead for this guy!
Benjamin's Pedigree
