Remembered

Charlie 

Once upon a time, there was a gorgeous blonde hunk who was just looking for a family to love. The minute his new baby sister came home from the hospital, he was in love forever. They were totally inseparable. He loved Lily more than anyone he had ever known in his whole life, and as she grew bigger she loved him right back. Never did a little girl have such a loyal and true protector as Lily did with Charlie! Her second word was "Caree!" and he would come running when she called him!

NO ONE got near her without his permission, and he was always there JUST in case she needed him. He was always quick to give her a big, wet, sloppy puppy kiss. On trips, he rode in the back seat, right next to his little princess Lily. Charlie never forgot what it had been like to be a foster dog. He helped us with our foster dogs, Bridget and Prince - working to help them learn manners and how to act indoors around people. He was a great teacher!

When we moved from San Antonio to the Houston area this past May, Charlie got in the car and refused to move - even though we were still loading! He was taking NO chances on getting left behind. He snuggled in beside his little buddy and never moved until we arrived and took her in the house!

One night, Charlie started acting unusually. He went and hid under the kitchen desk, where Lily went to investigate. Charlie was very sick and the vet could do nothing to save him. Our hearts were broken. Lily and I hugged and patted Charlie while the medicine helped him go to sleep. We didn't want him to be alone or afraid on this last part of his journey. The whole time, he fought so had because he wanted to stay here with his Lily, he looked at her eyes and put his paw on her arm - but we told him that we were going to be ok and that it was safe for him to go to the light.

Charlie left us with a huge hole in our family and a bigger one in our hearts. But the joy he bought us and the constant love and devotion can never be taken away. Charlie may have come to us too late, but he came to us full of love and gentleness and charm. His golden coat matched his heart of gold. Peace, Charlie Doggus. We love you forever.
 

Charlie's story:

Dear Forever Family,

I know you’re out there waiting for me.  You are looking for the Heart of Pure Gold my Foster mom says I have.  You’ll love me because I am sweet, affectionate, and cuddly.  I haven’t had a whole lot of love in my life, so you’ll understand that I need to be near you all the time and I’ll probably trip you once in awhile in my attempt to stay at your side.  But you won’t get mad, you’ll look at down and see my big brown eyes gazing up at you with sheer adoration and all you’ll be able to do is hug me.  I’ll need lots of attention, but I promise I will give you endless love in return!  Lots of kisses, too… 

Let me tell you about myself.  I was wandering around in Austin.  It had been awhile since my last meal, I was dirty, tired, and full of mats and burs.  This really nice lady stopped and put me in her car and took me home.  I stayed with her family for a few days and then I was lucky enough to get into Gold Ribbon Rescue. Everyone I meet thinks I have a perfect “Golden Attitude” which I guess means that I am friendly, kind, and loving.   I get along great with my foster sister (even though she’s pretty bossy) and all the others dogs I have met recently.  My foster family doesn’t include human kids, but I’ve met a bunch on our walks.  I really like them- they always taste like chocolate so I’m sure to lick them all over.  I don’t jump on them because they look kind of fragile and I try to be very gentle.

My mom says I need to learn some manners.  Apparently you are not supposed to go to the bathroom in the living room, but outside.  I’m working very hard on that because more than anything, I want people to like me.  I’m getting much better, I only forget sometimes now.  I don’t bark too much and I’m quiet and peaceful in my crate.  She says I’m good on a leash because I don’t pull, but I can’t quite get used to walking next to her instead of right in front of her.  I jump on the couch and I pull at my foster dad’s socks when he’s trying to put them on.  I think it’s really funny, but he gets a little annoyed - what a crab.  Other than that, I am really good.  I don’t pick things up off the floor, I take treats nicely, and I stay off the counters.  Mom says I am exceptionally calm for my age. 

We went to the vet yesterday.  He stuck me with needles and took some of my blood, but I didn’t get upset- I just waited patiently.  All the nice ladies who work there came to my room to pet me and play with me because they said I have such a super disposition.  The good news was they said I am in great shape!

Oh, and we have a cat.  I talk to her a lot, but she hasn’t answered me yet.  Unless you count this weird snarling sound as “talking” – which I don’t.  I would never hurt her, but I sure want to be friends.  My crate is by the bed in my foster parents room and when the cat gets under the bed, I have a perfect view of her so I sing her this song I made up.  My mom says it sounds like a cross between Chewbacca and a harp seal, she yells at me to stop, but she is always laughing. I guess she doesn’t understand that it’s a love song, not a funny song.   I hope my forever family has a cat that wants a dog as buddy.

My foster mom is great. We curl up on the floor and she loves on me for hours.  I love that, I can’t get enough and would stay on the floor with her until I starved!  She says my fur is really soft and that I’m the cuddliest thing she’s ever seen.  She tells me how sweet I am and that she thinks I am pretty close to perfect.  I’m really happy here, but I can’t wait to find my own home.  I hope to meet you really soon.  I promise, even if you think you have to have Air Bud - 1 minute with me and you’ll forget all about that goofy dog.

 I know the perfect forever home is out there waiting for me, just like I‘ve been waiting for you.  We are going to be so happy together - forever and ever!

Sincerely,

            Charlie Dog

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