Ellie’s Story

imagine your first years frightened and learning how to “live” in a puppy mill. Now, imagine being almost blind in that world as well. Ellie, a Golden Retriever Great Pyrenees mix, knew nothing more until Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue Education and Training went to South Carolina and saved her and 8 others in February 2022 from the state’s largest puppy mill rescue. Ellie, and her foster sister Summer, were in the care of Quan li for almost 6 months. While with Quan, Ellie learned how to live as an indoor dog, became accustomed to daily walks, began to learn how to accept love, and most importantly regained her sight thanks to SEVA GRREAT funding her eye surgery that restored her vision from 20% to 85%.

After seeing pictures on Facebook and reading about her progress, in July 2022, Rita (our Turkey rescue), Gregg, and I met Ellie at her foster home in Richmond. We fell in love with her immediately. While very timid and unsure of what her future life would be, she traveled back with us to her furever home in Chesapeake, Virginia. It hasn’t all been easy. Initially, she wouldn’t come out the door for walks and was scared of all the neighborhood sounds when out walking. She would cower when she moved in our home because she didn’t like the ceiling fan running above her and she would get startled as we moved about the house making everyday noises. With time and patience, Ellie has relaxed quite a bit and learned, through her big sister Rita, to accept love and attention. Today, she still has her moments of insecurities (now she doesn’t like the ceiling fan off or gets scared when the wind blows) but she has learned to enjoy treats, loves getting brushed, and finds comfort laying on the floor at Gregg’s feet.

When scared, she stays extra close to Rita for assurance that she is in a safe place. In october 2022, Ellie was able to make her first official debut at the SEVA GRREAT fall membership meeting at Newport News City Park. Gregg and I were amazed at how well she did, allowing strangers to come up and pet her. We know that she will be able to represent SEVA GRREAT in future events as well. We are thankful for the future that SEVA GRREAT has given Ellie and look forward to many more years of showering her with the love she deserves!

–Sonya, Gregg, and Rita Benshoff