FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
A. Larry Ross (972) 267-1111
Melany Ethridge (214) 912-8934

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BENJI ON THE MEND AND HEADED FOR THE BIG SCREEN

Canine Star Recovering from Eye Surgery in Time for
National Release of ‘Benji Off the Leash’ Aug. 20

DALLAS, Aug. 16 – Just in time for her big-screen debut, the new Benji has received an encouraging report from the eye surgeon who a week and a half ago re-attached the retina in her left eye, in hopes of keeping the dog star from losing her sight in that eye.

Dr. Samuel Vainisi, renown veterinarian eye surgeon from the Chicago area, reattached the retina on Aug. 3, and was guarded about her prognosis due to some post-operative swelling which prevented him from seeing how the retina was doing.

Following a check-up on Friday, Dr. Vainisi is encouraged that the swelling has gone down, and indicated he can now see approximately twenty percent of the retina, which looks good so far. There continued to be blockage of the retina by some protein deposits, which Dr. Vainisi hopes will dissipate naturally, allowing him to see the full retina and determine the chances of Benji recovering full eyesight.

Benji continues her promotional tour for her new movie, Benji Off the Leash, which opens in theaters nationwide this Friday, Aug. 20. The canine celebrity and her owner/creator/producer Joe Camp are in New York this week for appearances on network morning shows, the culmination of a cross-country media tour designed to engender grassroots support, much like Mel Gibson&# 8217;s The Passion of The Christ.

Neither the travel nor the unexpected surgery have dampened Benji’s spirits, and the indomitable canine has exhibited many of her on-screen traits these past few weeks – a positive outlook and ‘never give up’ attitude. She’s endeared herself to fans across the country, and is sure to garner millions more when those trademark big brown eyes light up the silver screen this weekend.

Benji Off The Leash will hit theaters nationwide on August 20. This is the fourth Benji movie since Camp’s creation of the character in 1971, and also the fourth dog to play the role. This Benji was adopted from a shelter in Gulfport, Mississippi, after a search in shelters all across the nation. American Humane says the original Benji being adopted from a shelter resulted in more than one million pet adoptions across the country, a trend which Camp hopes to see continue.

Note: To arrange an interview with producer Joe Camp, please contact Melany Ethridge at 214-912-8934 or Whitney Kelley at 972-267-1111.