A dog left unattended in a parking lot in his owner’s running van apparently didn’t know the meaning of the word “stay.” The 50-lb., boxer-Shar Pei mix named Bentley managed to put owner Bryan Maher’s 1992 Ford into drive and crash it into the front of a Long Island, New York coffee shop on Nov. 19. Neither man nor man’s best friend were injured in the crash.
Maher told local newspaper the Daily News that he left Bentley unattended for only a few minutes.
“I ran inside the coffee house to sign up for open-mike night, and I left my car running because it’s cold outside and I didn’t want my dog to freeze,” Maher said. “The next thing I knew, I looked up to see my van coming at me in the window, with Bentley in the driver’s seat grinning at me.”
The crash cracked the shop’s front window, broke some patio furniture and left the van with minor damage.
Coffee shop owner Patricia McCarthy was too charmed by Bentley’s puppy-dog stare to be upset about the accident.
“Aw, Bentley was wagging his tail afterward,” she said. “He really is a sweet dog.”
Maher vowed never to leave the van running unattended again. Instead, he’s decided on a new way to keep the driving doggie warm.
“Bentley will be getting a nice doggie coat for Christmas,” Maher said.
