A West Virginia mom took a chance on a shelter dog—despite a warning that he needed a home without children—and hasn’t looked back since.
Michelle Miller (@michellegmiller_) shared a reel on Instagram of her “large dog” Bennie who had a fear of kids.
Seconds later, the clip cuts to footage of Bennie playing alongside her daughters, Harper, 7, and 2-year-old Selena.
Miller, 31, grew up in a family that always chose rescue animals, and that ethos followed into her adulthood. Shelter dogs, she believes, have a way of returning the love they missed out on.
Bennie first caught the family’s attention by his photo. “He was a huge teddy bear,” Miller told Newsweek. “We loved his personality and goofy composure.”
A meet-and-greet at the Harrison County Animal Shelter in Shinnston, West Virginia, only deepened that feeling.
It was five days before Christmas, and the idea of leaving him behind for the holidays felt wrong. The shelter offered a foster trial, but within 48 hours, the decision was made—Bennie was home for good.
At 7 months old, Bennie was all legs, energy and enthusiasm. Miller and her husband 29-year-old Dakota, were no strangers to large breeds, and the chaos of puppyhood didn’t faze them.
What stood out was how quickly Bennie adjusted to family life. This was the height of the pandemic, and with both parents working from home, Bennie was rarely alone.
“When he first met our 3-year-old, he was so calm and gentle,” Miller said. “She was a bit nervous of his size but by the end of the day, they were napping on the couch together.”
As the family grew, Bennie seemed to understand his role without being taught. Miller described him as a gentle giant, endlessly patient and protective.
“He can take a blueberry from their hands with so much ease and gentleness,” she said. “He is also their guard dog, patrolling the yard if they are outside playing, constantly watching over them. He is a huge part of their day and they love him as much as he loves them.”
Bennie is now 5 years old, and the family even returned to the same shelter a year later to adopt a second dog. Miller hopes stories like Bennie’s encourage others to look beyond their initial bio.
“All the animals who are at the shelter have a back story, and a lot of love to give,” she said. “They just need a little extra patience and time to blossom in a new home. Adopting means you have the chance to give that animal the loving home and family they deserve.”