The eight-year-old labrador Benny was due to be put to sleep after he spent six months without being adopted in a shelter.
With one day left before he was put down to sleep, his current owner Cheryl DelSangro, saw him and she knew he would bring so much happiness to her life.
She says she fell in love with his big black eyes. DelSangro from Las Vegas is a retired professional figure skater. So, it was only a matter of time before sweet Benny met with the ice.
Benny Loved Ice Skating from the Start
The first time that she brought him to a rink, DelSangro was amazed by how much Benny loved the experience. One time, Cheryl was asked if she would like to help the National Hockey League team to make a funny video to cheer them on and Benny was part of it.
When he set his paws on the ice, he loved it. He would spend days there carrying the hockey sticks and chasing the pucks across the ice. This is when Cheryl started to wonder if she could teach her dog to ice skate.
She taught skating for two decades and also taught her daughter to skate when she was only 17-months-old. So, she thought it’s possible to do it with Benny too because he has much better coordination than a toddler.
Finding the Right Equipment for Benny Took Time
Cheryl needed two months to acquire the right ice skates for Benny. When they tested them on the ice, the talented Benny skated amazingly from the first try.
He can never get enough of skating and they often do it together. Their bond is special, says Cheryl. He’s eager to go out on the ice and skating makes their bond stronger.
Benny is a real attraction in Vegas and he’s showing off his skills at events and ice hockey games. Benny is also a celebrity: he’s been on the Good Morning America and the Today shows.
The sweet pup has a TikTok where millions of users are enjoying his stunning ice skating skills. One user wrote: “just when I thought dogs can’t get any better, they learn to ice skate.”
Cheryl hopes that the story of Benny will be an inspiration to others to adopt rescue dogs and give them a chance.
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