Benji, a friendly black Labrador who swapped snow for sand when he accompanied his owner, Governor Jane Owen, to the Cayman Islands last month, was somewhat of a diplomat in his own right at her previous posting.
The 13-year-old dog, who is becoming a regular sight along Seven Mile Beach where he goes for his morning and evening walks, isn’t just a pretty, furry face. He’s played a diplomatic role in informing people of Brexit regulations and COVID rules, among other important duties during his time as ‘Diplodog’ in Switzerland.
During his six years in the Swiss capital of Berne, where Owen was based as the UK ambassador from 2017 to 2023, Benji had his own Twitter ‘Diplodog’ hashtag and featured in informational videos for the embassy.
He highlighted the new rules for Britons travelling with their pets in Europe after the introduction of Brexit in one video, and in another he helped spread the word on new COVID-safety regulations for public transport during the pandemic.
Benji was also pressed into service as a canine analyst for an important meeting of nations – the 2020 UEFA Euro football match between Wales and Switzerland. When asked to predict the winner, Benji opted for Wales, but the match, perhaps in apt diplomatic fashion, ended in a 1-1 draw.
Asked if he’d be taking up more ‘Diplodog’ duties now he’s in Cayman, Phoebe Donnelly, the governor’s daughter, who was taking Benji for a stroll along the beach earlier this month, said he might do so if the occasion arose.
In the meantime, he’s already a friendly ambassador for the new governor and her daughter, who have been meeting people on the daily walks who want to say hello to the gentle giant of a dog.
“He’s certainly a good talking point along the beach, especially with his swimming,” Donnelly said.
If all else fails, it seems he could double as a spy, as he’s proven adept at hiding from Government House staff.
“He sometimes sleeps in my wardrobe,” Donnelly said. “It’s like his little den. People would be looking for him and can’t find him anywhere and think he’s escaped, but he’s in the wardrobe.”
Like any Labrador, Benji has an impressive appetite and eats just about anything, and can be found snuffling around in the sand for tidbits. But he’s partial to sweet potatoes, carrots and bananas.
While Benji seems to have made himself right at home – already well known to the morning beach walkers and their dogs – he’s still getting used to the Caribbean heat.
“It’s hard for him,” Donnelly said. “He’s definitely used to colder climates.”
As a result, he goes for his walks in the early mornings and in the evenings. And those walks inevitably turn into swims, as even at sunrise and sunset, he still gets a bit warm and takes a dip in the ocean to cool off.
One typical Cayman sight that does not seem to bother him is the population of wild chickens, many of which wander around the garden at Government House. “He sees them and might look at them but then just moves along,” Donnelly said.
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