I never knew a dog could bring this much noise, grass, and happiness into a house until Benny arrived.
I live in Ballarat with my two boys, aged 7 and 10. We’d talked about getting a dog for years, but it was always “someday”. Then last summer, I finally caved (read: got emotionally ambushed by a rescue page on Facebook) and brought home Benny — a one-year-old Border Collie who somehow has the energy of three toddlers and the heart of a golden retriever.
The boys instantly claimed him as their third brother. They taught him to sit, shake, and absolutely ignore any command if there’s food involved. But the real fun started in the backyard.
Our yard is decent-sized, grass everywhere, and of course, one old, squeaky sprinkler. The first time I turned it on with Benny outside, I wish I’d had a camera rolling.
He froze.
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🐶 View Portrait Styles →Watched the sprinkler head rise.
Waited like a soldier on a mission.
And then — all at once — zoom. Benny started sprinting in perfect circles around the sprinkler, barking at every spray like he was in a water-fuelled battle. The kids were on the deck howling with laughter. Benny was soaked within minutes and loving every second. Then, to top it off, he stole the hose attachment and paraded it around like he’d conquered a dragon.
Now every warm day, the boys ask, “Can we turn on Benny’s sprinkler show?” And honestly, it's the highlight of our weekends. Even the neighbours peek over the fence sometimes to watch the chaos.
We ended up getting a portrait made of that exact moment — Benny mid-zoom, water flying, tongue out, joy exploding from every pixel. It hangs in our hallway and still makes us smile every time we walk past it.
He’s more than a pet. He’s the best kind of madness we’ve ever invited in.