Shelley Mamott, Staff Writer

Caesar Disappeared After Crash

A dog named Caesar, who was involved in car crash more than a year ago in Eastern New Mexico is on his way home to Michigan. The Maltese had disappeared shortly after the crash that took the lives of Monica Benson’s husband and daughter. Family members scoured the area looking for the dog but he was no where to be found. As time went on the family accepted the loss of their beloved Caesar and focused on healing. Everyone that is except for Benson’s youngest son Benjamin, who was not ready to say good bye to his four legged friend.

He Was Missed Terribly

After surviving the crash, 18-month old Benjamin Benson was placed in an Intensive Care Unit at an Amarillo hospital. “While Benjamin was in the ICU, we placed a picture of him and Caesar on the walls.” Monica Benson told the Quay County Sun. “When he woke up he would point at the pictures and say Caesar.” Once Benjamin got home the concern for his dog did not wane, he would point to pictures of Caesar in the house and ask where he is. “It has been so hard,” Monica Benson said.

Caesar Found Alive In Shelter

Christina Flemming, a member of the Tucumcari Animal Rescue Group went the shelter looking for dogs she could pull for adoption. Seven dogs were chosen that day and all were taken to a local vet for microchip scans. “There was a chip implanted in a cute little Maltese we had named “Prince Harry,” Flemming said. “I called the chip contact and was given a phone number for a woman in Michigan.” But the number was disconnected. Going on a gut instinct Flemming began an internet search that would eventually lead her to the Benson family. She came across an online article about the crash and their lost dog. “I found the obituary and contacted the funeral home in Michigan,” Flemming said. “A woman named Rhonda helped me to get in contact with Caesar’s owners.”

He’s On His Way Home

Flemming and Benson worked together on the travel arrangements for Caesar. Benson and her four surviving children are celebrating the good news. “This has been the best news we have received in a year,” Benson said. “Words can not describe how much this means.”