A Calgary musician is promoting “Adopt, Don’t Shop” by featuring one of Cochrane’s adorable rescue pooches in an upcoming music video.
Happy, a 10-year-old pit bull mix, was featured in Benjamin Longman’s music video shot earlier this year to be released at the end of the month.
“I am not able to adopt due to my living situation but still wanted to help – I’ve always been a huge dog lover,” Longman said.
The music video is for the song, Steady from ‘The Ghost Months Vol. 2’ CD that was released March 25. Shot in Cochrane’s surrounding area, including Big Hill Springs Provincial Park and Ghost Lake, the video features a guy spending the day with his dog.
“It’s always made me sad to see over-bred dogs. All dogs need love and care and I find the rescue dogs are just as full of the same personality as other dogs, if not more,” Longman said.
Happy is not available for adoption because he was a “foster home failure.” Six years ago a shelter volunteer took the pup home to temporarily only to fall in love with him.
“(Happy) only lasted 48 hours as a foster when we decided to adopt him,” owner Janine Rossler explained. “Pit bulls can get a bad rap but he is great – I’m excited that he could be an ambassador for other pit bulls, and get exposure for the shelter.”
Happy was originally brought in with a sore on his face when he was found on the highway. After the pup healed and found his forever home, he has been working with other rescue dogs helping to train and teach better temperament.
The musician had nothing but good things to say about the pit bull.
“There was no script (for the music video), Happy was in charge and he was great … it is such a shame pit bulls get a bad reputation,” Longman said.
Despite originally coming from England and landing in Calgary, Longman chose to collaborate with the Cochrane & Area Humane Society because of his bond with the community.
“My girlfriend volunteers with the shelter so I already had that connection, plus the shelter is renowned in the area,” Longman said.
While the music video will be released at the end of the month, the musician is in discussion with the shelter staff to see if the video can also be shown at the shelter’s annual fundraiser, the Mutt Strut, on June 4.
“And when it is the right time, I will absolutely adopt, not shop,” Longman said.
Stay tuned for Longman’s video featuring Happy, at benjaminlongman.com or youtube.com/benlongman
“Adopt, Don’t Shop” is a rescue shelter slogan that asks people to adopt rescue animals instead of buying.
