Ben was conceived at a dog show. In fact, his father unearthed the actual motel receipt a few years ago while tilling financial papers for tax preparations. Ben's childhood homestead near Rochester, New York lay upon four acres bisected by chain-link dog runs and split-rail goat pastures (goat milk for the dogs, naturally).

Both of Ben's parents are certified American Kennel Club dog show judges. Although they have been breeding German Shepherds for forty years, Ben missed the first ten years by being born at the start of their second dogged decade. He currently co-owns a German Shepherd from the only litter of another dog he co-owned.

Thanks to his dog-filled childhood, Ben grew to regard the dogs akin to an extended family, complete with all the eccentricities

accompanying such a metaphor (such as "spoiled siblings" or "wacky great aunts" to name a few). He accordingly regards dogs as unique individuals, each capable of complex needs and emotions.

Besides German Shepherds, Ben's canine family also included an English Cocker Spaniel and a few Whippets, but Ben harbors little prejudice for specific breeds (or mixed breeds), opting instead to learn each dog's language at their own pace on a case-by-case basis.

Beyond dogs, Ben holds a BFA in Theatre from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and spent ten years living and working in theatre administration in New York City before moving to Los Angeles. In addition, Ben remains a freelance associate for Tails of Yesteryear, his family's dog-related antique business, which he named.

Read Ben's weblog, The Dogsitter Chronicles