December 19, 2017 by Benji

The Gang

LB and LZ soaking up sunshine under a palm tree

It has been a whirlwind since LZ and LB showed up on our doorstep. It took them six weeks to travel from Vigo their birthplace in Spain to us. They left Vigo on November 8 and arrived in Madrid the next day where they had to stay for a while. We didn’t receive any updates until they showed up again in New York on December 10! Both Belén and we at headquarters were all worried when we didn’t hear from the little ones for four long weeks. We are still trying to get the gist of it but may never completely know what happened. At some point, there was even talk about LZ and LB being kidnapped. Luckily that was not the case. Customs did hold on to them a bit longer than what was needed but we can’t blame them because the little guy and girl are just too cute for their own good. The travel from New York to Florida took them another 11 days. They took this opportunity to sightsee. It was a bit chilly up north so it was a good thing that Belén had packed warm blankets in the suitcases. Now the little ones are soaking up the sun rays in Florida. LB and LZ have had their eyes on Benji’s agility equipment since the first second they stepped paw in the house. We had to tell them that that has to wait until everyone is well rested and full of new energy.

Checking out the agility equipment

A favorite lookout

There is lots to woof about

Our motto: play, rest, play into eternity

The ZAB team

December 18, 2017 by Benji

Home For Christmas!

Look who made it to our doorstep! We are so happy Little Ms. Zulu and Little Benji (LZ and LB) made it home just in time before Christmas! After traveling for almost six weeks from Spain, the little ones are a bit tired but unharmed and full of joy. Thank you Belén Soto for making it happen and ensuring that the pooches were safe throughout their travels. As you can imagine we are quite busy catching up on their travel stories so this is all for now. We will soon bring you more news and photos of the whole gang. Let the fun begin!

The ZAB team

November 6, 2017 by Benji

Homecoming

Photo credits: © Belén Soto 2017

Dear friends and fur-iends, we have more exciting news from headquarters! We are in the process of bringing Little Benji (LB) and Little Ms. Zulu (LZ) home. You can see them enjoying Vigo’s view in the photo Belén took a couple of days ago. Don’t they look alive?! We can’t wait to meet them in person and show them our neck of the woods.

And you know what; you can take one (or more) of the little guys home as well! Belén said she will offer a special price to Life of Benji readers. Of course, you can also ask Belén if she can make you a sculpture of your own furry kid. Belén sells other ceramics too that would make a nice Christmas present for your special one. She can ship items with a tracking code and insurance to most countries. Isn’t that nice or what?! To shop around the clock right in time for Christmas click on this link: Ceramica Belen Soto.

The ZAB team

October 30, 2017 by Benji

Benji

Look who is here; it’s Mr. B! He looks so real and isn’t he adorable?! Check out Belén’s website below to see more photos of the sculpture.

Benji Las piezas han pasado de nuevo por el horno y el fuego ha realizado su alquimia, los esmaltes, ahora ya vitrificados, crean una fina y suave capa que cubre toda la pieza. En esta ocasión Benji, nuestro modelo favorito, ha escogido su habitual abrigo atigrado, su camisa mas blanca y una […]

via Benji, segundo fuego — Arcilla y fuego

October 30, 2017 by Benji

Ms. Zulu

Belén finished the sculptures! Here is Ms. Zulu in her beautiful outfit adorned with a flower. Isn’t she gorgeous?! Click the link below to see all photos.

Ms. Zulu Los esmaltes nos permiten experimentar con colores y texturas, cambiando ligeramente la proporción de los componentes (óxidos, minerales …) pero también variando la temperatura o las condiciones de la cocción. Ms. Zulu posa con su amplio y calentito abrigo negro, discreción y elegancia unidos, combinado con unos calcetines blancos y una rosa amarilla […]

via Ms. Zulu, segundo fuego — Arcilla y fuego

September 7, 2017 by Benji

Updates

We are preparing for Hurricane Irma so we will be AWOL for a bit. Irma must be Harvey’s sister because she looks very mean. We are keeping all our digits crossed that she will lessen her temper. Maybe we all need to spray some lavender spray in her direction. It seems to help everyone when I’m on my Dogtor missions. I will also throw some of my reversed Reiki in the mix. In the meantime enjoy Belén Soto’s sculptures of me and Ms. Zulu.

Over and out,

Benji

Benji Algunos ya lo conocéis por sus emocionantes aventuras , Benji, también conocido como “Agente 0011” es un perro encantador, siempre tan serio y elegante … en muy poco tiempo ha pasado de un refugio de animales abandonados a trabajar como perro de terapia con humanos que necesitan de su ayuda. Su currículum es […]

via Benji — Arcilla y fuego

Ms. Zulu A Ms. Zulu también la conoceréis por sus constantes apariciones en el blog de Benji, Life of Benji, también conocida como “Big Sister” ella es su fiel compañera de aventuras, en el equipo es la voz de la experiencia, sus sabios consejos son esenciales para controlar el ímpetu con el que Benji afronta […]

via Ms. Zulu — Arcilla y fuego

January 30, 2017 by Benji

The Wedding

Proof that we did pay attention in school

While my CCI buddy and I studied hard in school, okay we did play some too, the wedding preparations for Drake and Sol have moved forward nicely. Here are the bridesmaids in their new outfits. Check out Belén Soto’s website Arcilla y fuego for an update. Belén is a very talented ceramist and we love her sculptures!

The ZAB team.

Preparativos de boda – Wedding preparations Las damas de honor – Bridesmaids Lúa y Mar Las chicas también han optado por el color rojo, creo que va a ser el color predominante en la boda, siguiendo las indicaciones de Mar, ambas han realizado sus primeras compras … Los preparativos de una boda son una enorme […]

via Damas de honor — Arcilla y fuego

January 27, 2017 by Benji

Modeling: Take 2

I have to say, and I wouldn’t have thought so a half year ago, but my modeling career is taking off very nicely. Maybe one of these days I can even bring up a raise. Here you can see the results of my third paid gig. Just to refresh your memory, this is in anticipation of Drake and Sol’s wedding. So I am happy to report that my treat account is growing. On the other hand, I seem to be using more too so not sure about the balance at the end of this month. I hope I’m not in the red, except for the bow tie. After all, the humans decided that I was too skinny and there is only one remedy for that. So, keep it coming or the tummy will grow hungry.

As you can see, both Ms. Zulu and I are taking the wedding preparations quite seriously and we are putting our best paw forward. -You are correct, that is our right front paw in both cases.- This time I am showing a red bow tie as it was decided by higher authorities that it might look better than the blue ties. My suit will remain the same brindle pattern, decorated with a white front. I have grown quite fond of it, so that stays. Sometimes you have to know when you can put your paw down. There was enough shopping to do as it is. I never knew that weddings would require so much preparation.

So, what do you think of the new addition to my dressing room? How does it compare to the two blue outfits? Light conditions were still not up to par according to my assistant. I hope to finagle another gig out of this. For some reason or another, Ms. Zulu’s pics are less of a problem. I don’t mind though; working long hours means more treats. Besides, I can always sleep in the next day.

Me and my red bow tie

Ms. Zulu, my chaperone

Enjoy the good life: make room for play and take lots of naps between work,

January 17, 2017 by Benji

Modeling

In December of last year, I was invited to be at Drake and Sol‘s wedding in June this year. Drake and Sol are two beautiful creatures born at Belén Soto’s home. They are now happily residing at Resa’s, just click on the links to see their photos. I am very excited about the upcoming wedding as it will be my first!

For the occasion, mom and I have been shopping for bow ties. We settled on two possibilities: a dotted and a solid blue bow tie. Not sure which one it will be yet. I felt more comfortable wearing the dotted one but it seems to be the general opinion that the blue tie has a nicer color. What do you think?

Resa asked if we could show the results, so here I am modeling in my best suit and the bow ties.* Ms. Zulu didn’t want to be left out, so she modeled too with a beautiful hair piece to adorn her already gorgeous complexion. Maybe she can even accompany me to the wedding. Sort of a chaperone. After all, I am a bachelor and Ms. Zulu is much more experienced than me although I don’t think she ever attended a wedding either.

* I am happy to note that both I and Ms. Zulu were lavishly rewarded for the effort. There were complaints that the light conditions were not the greatest during the photoshoot so we may have to try again. I am not complaining as long as we are rewarded and I trust we will be!

November 13, 2016 by Benji

Posing

What’s up? Well, while I am still waiting for my first super-secret-mission, I have not been lazy. Instead, I got some new work. I have been asked to model for Belén Soto, a very talented ceramist. We all really like her work, so I was quite honored when Belén asked me if I would like to sit for one of her sculptures! With mom’s help, I did my best to provide a front and side view photo of me. It was not easy to sit still. Leaves kept falling around me, interrupting my concentration.

You can find Belén’s beautiful work on Clay and Fire. I am looking forward to the results of this effort!