Mortgages to Help the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay

If you are looking for a mortgage, thinking of refinancing, in need of a Home Equity Line of Credit, or know someone who is, you have another way to support the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay.

Mike Anderson, a mortgage broker with Benjamin Ruth Financial who recently adopted a Dalmatian, will donate $250 - $300 of his loan proceeds to the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay for any loans he closes when someone mentions the Rescue.

To help the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay and for more details, contact Mike at 813.879.4079 or via e-mail at mike@benjaminruth.com.

Those of us who truly love our pets can easily relate to just how much our lives intertwine with theirs. Often, the memory of a cherished pet can motivate us in very special ways. We share with you, Mike's Story...

About 9 years ago a friend of mine had a Dalmatian named "Butch" who she adopted from what I believe was the SPCA of Pinellas County. Not more than two weeks later, her roommate told her she would have to get rid of Butch or she would take him back. About that time, I happened to tell her how I was thinking of getting a dog of my own. She suggested I take Butch. I really was not sure I wanted him as he was pretty wild and not very well-behaved.

But of course I did and soon after I fell in love with him as we became best buds. There is not one person who knows me who could deny the connection Butch and I had. Not only did he know he was part of my family, but I think he truly believed he was human….the way he would sit so upright on the couch when company was over and almost look like he was part of the conversation. He had such a great personality, one that I know left an unforgettable impression on anyone who met him.

He ended up having several health problems that required a few surgeries (the earliest at about two years old), but I made sure I did whatever was necessary to get him healthy again. He always bounced back, against all odds. He was a fighter. However, at some point I knew he would not be able to continue fighting so I made a promise to him that I would be there with him when that time came. Unfortunately, it came sooner than I could have ever wanted. Old age and continued health problems ended up getting the best of him as he passed away this past October.

Fortunately, I believe his passing was about as "good" as it could have been. That last night, we started out at my Mom’s house. My girlfriend and I, my Mom and her boyfriend, and my brother and his wife were all there with him. We all knew his time was near as we sat around him with tears in our eyes, petting and loving him.....not saying a word, yet still saying our goodbyes. I was so amazed sitting there looking around at my family realizing that he touched everyone in that room the same way he touched me. We all knew our family was soon to be one less.

Butch and I then got into my Volkswagen Camperbus and began what would be his last ride. Man, how he loved going for rides in my Bus. So much so, if I had to, I was going to have him put to sleep in my Bus….a place he was familiar with and loved so much.

When I got him home, I tried to get him out of the Bus but he would not come out. He was too weak and could not move. I began thinking about how so many people ask me when the last time I camped out in my bus was. It had been a few years and so I knew it was time to campout again. He seemed to want it that way….one last night with just the boys…..me and my buddy, Butch.

He did not sleep very well that night as his breathing became more and more labored. But he just kept fighting to stay alive. I continued petting and comforting him the best I could, telling him it was OK to go on…..that he did not have to continue the fight.

Somehow around 6:15 AM, he got one last bit of energy, sat up, looked me in the eyes for a few seconds and laid back down for the last time. With his head in my hands, he passed away. Never had I seen him so peaceful, so comfortable. Never did I imagine how glad I would be to have gone through it all with him until the very end. Never will I forget Butch….so many memories! He will always be missed!

The months to follow were very hard. Thinking I’d always see Butch out of the corner of my eye walking by. Wishing I’d seen him walk by. Missing taking him on walks. And even missing cleaning up after him. Ultimately missing the companionship of a dog, but still not sure I was ready to get another one.

Then I received a call from my Vet saying they found a stray male Dalmatian that one of the vet techs was taking care of. I appreciated them keeping me in mind and said I would stop by to meet him. He was beautiful. A couple of days later I took him home to see how he would adjust and to see how I felt about having him. Everything went perfect and I decided I wanted to adopt him. I could not wait; I was so excited to get him. I felt like a little kid.

Two days later, I received a call from my Vet telling me the vet tech decided she wanted to keep the dog. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster. I did not know what to think. I felt cheated. But then I saw the positive in it….I knew I was ready for another Dalmatian. I realized after getting Butch from the SPCA, that I would always get a Dalmatian in need of a home, rather than finding puppies from a breeder.

I did some research online and found Susan Weber and the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay. I told her my story and what I was looking for. My only request was a younger Dalmatian that was active, as I like to run and hoped to find one who could run with me. Well it was not long before she e-mailed me about Bella, a beautiful 3 year old female. She seemed perfect in everyway. She was rescued from the Sarasota Humane Society and was staying with her foster parents, Jami and Charles. We made arrangements to meet and as soon as I saw her, I knew she would be a perfect. I ended up taking her that night and everything has worked out perfectly. It just so happened that it was the night before my 30^th birthday, so I gave myself and early birthday present.

Bella is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met and I could not have asked for a better Dalmatian. She has made me so happy and has definitely filled the void in my life that resulted from Butch’s passing. I owe it all to Susan and her organization as well as people like Jami and Charles who help make it all happen by being foster homes for the rescued Dalmatians.

I started to think of how I too could give back to the Rescue. I realized that the biggest necessity to ensure the success of this program is financial resources. As a mortgage broker, I decided I would give a portion of my loan proceeds to the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay for any loan I close when someone mentions the Rescue.

Mortgages to Help the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay If you are looking for a mortgage, thinking of refinancing, in need of a Home Equity Line of Credit, or know someone who is, you have another way to support the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay. Mike Anderson, a mortgage broker with Benjamin Ruth Financial who recently adopted a Dalmatian, will donate $250 - $300 of his loan proceeds to the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay for any loans he closes when someone mentions the Rescue. To help the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay and for more details, contact Mike at 813.879.4079 or via e-mail at mike@benjaminruth.com.
Those of us who truly love our pets can easily relate to just how much our lives intertwine with theirs. Often, the memory of a cherished pet can motivate us in very special ways. We share with you, Mike's Story...
About 9 years ago a friend of mine had a Dalmatian named "Butch" who she adopted from what I believe was the SPCA of Pinellas County. Not more than two weeks later, her roommate told her she would have to get rid of Butch or she would take him back. About that time, I happened to tell her how I was thinking of getting a dog of my own. She suggested I take Butch. I really was not sure I wanted him as he was pretty wild and not very well-behaved. But of course I did and soon after I fell in love with him as we became best buds. There is not one person who knows me who could deny the connection Butch and I had. Not only did he know he was part of my family, but I think he truly believed he was human….the way he would sit so upright on the couch when company was over and almost look like he was part of the conversation. He had such a great personality, one that I know left an unforgettable impression on anyone who met him. He ended up having several health problems that required a few surgeries (the earliest at about two years old), but I made sure I did whatever was necessary to get him healthy again. He always bounced back, against all odds. He was a fighter. However, at some point I knew he would not be able to continue fighting so I made a promise to him that I would be there with him when that time came. Unfortunately, it came sooner than I could have ever wanted. Old age and continued health problems ended up getting the best of him as he passed away this past October. Fortunately, I believe his passing was about as "good" as it could have been. That last night, we started out at my Mom’s house. My girlfriend and I, my Mom and her boyfriend, and my brother and his wife were all there with him. We all knew his time was near as we sat around him with tears in our eyes, petting and loving him.....not saying a word, yet still saying our goodbyes. I was so amazed sitting there looking around at my family realizing that he touched everyone in that room the same way he touched me. We all knew our family was soon to be one less. Butch and I then got into my Volkswagen Camperbus and began what would be his last ride. Man, how he loved going for rides in my Bus. So much so, if I had to, I was going to have him put to sleep in my Bus….a place he was familiar with and loved so much. When I got him home, I tried to get him out of the Bus but he would not come out. He was too weak and could not move. I began thinking about how so many people ask me when the last time I camped out in my bus was. It had been a few years and so I knew it was time to campout again. He seemed to want it that way….one last night with just the boys…..me and my buddy, Butch. He did not sleep very well that night as his breathing became more and more labored. But he just kept fighting to stay alive. I continued petting and comforting him the best I could, telling him it was OK to go on…..that he did not have to continue the fight. Somehow around 6:15 AM, he got one last bit of energy, sat up, looked me in the eyes for a few seconds and laid back down for the last time. With his head in my hands, he passed away. Never had I seen him so peaceful, so comfortable. Never did I imagine how glad I would be to have gone through it all with him until the very end. Never will I forget Butch….so many memories! He will always be missed! The months to follow were very hard. Thinking I’d always see Butch out of the corner of my eye walking by. Wishing I’d seen him walk by. Missing taking him on walks. And even missing cleaning up after him. Ultimately missing the companionship of a dog, but still not sure I was ready to get another one. Then I received a call from my Vet saying they found a stray male Dalmatian that one of the vet techs was taking care of. I appreciated them keeping me in mind and said I would stop by to meet him. He was beautiful. A couple of days later I took him home to see how he would adjust and to see how I felt about having him. Everything went perfect and I decided I wanted to adopt him. I could not wait; I was so excited to get him. I felt like a little kid. Two days later, I received a call from my Vet telling me the vet tech decided she wanted to keep the dog. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster. I did not know what to think. I felt cheated. But then I saw the positive in it….I knew I was ready for another Dalmatian. I realized after getting Butch from the SPCA, that I would always get a Dalmatian in need of a home, rather than finding puppies from a breeder. I did some research online and found Susan Weber and the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay. I told her my story and what I was looking for. My only request was a younger Dalmatian that was active, as I like to run and hoped to find one who could run with me. Well it was not long before she e-mailed me about Bella, a beautiful 3 year old female. She seemed perfect in everyway. She was rescued from the Sarasota Humane Society and was staying with her foster parents, Jami and Charles. We made arrangements to meet and as soon as I saw her, I knew she would be a perfect. I ended up taking her that night and everything has worked out perfectly. It just so happened that it was the night before my 30^th birthday, so I gave myself and early birthday present. Bella is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met and I could not have asked for a better Dalmatian. She has made me so happy and has definitely filled the void in my life that resulted from Butch’s passing. I owe it all to Susan and her organization as well as people like Jami and Charles who help make it all happen by being foster homes for the rescued Dalmatians. I started to think of how I too could give back to the Rescue. I realized that the biggest necessity to ensure the success of this program is financial resources. As a mortgage broker, I decided I would give a portion of my loan proceeds to the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay for any loan I close when someone mentions the Rescue.