Mama's Words to Charlis-Dog
(The following is from Anna, my 2nd wife and Charlis' second Mama. She sent the picture above, and it really helped me deal with his loss.)
I love you Charlis... Thank you for all
the walkies every day, for comforting me when I needed you, thank you for
waiting for me in the mudroom every time I was away for a few hours, the joy you
showed me when I came home, all the snug-plugs; you are my baby and you will
always have a special place in my heart...
I know deep in my heart that you are so very happy now, lying on your bed
without pain, lying next to daddy on the BIG bed, and sometimes you visit your
doggie friends in that beautiful place called Heaven, to play with other doggies
and chase bunnies (that you can't eat).
You always return to daddy to be by his side...and
thank you for your help finding another puppy, he/she will never replace you,
you know that right? Never. You are so very special...and so
loved...always...
I love you, boy.
Charlie-Mama #2
(The following is from Andie, Charlis' first mom, and the one responsible for bringing him into the world. If it weren't for Andie, there'd have been no Charlis!)
My Memories of You...
A tiny, fuzzy, white puppy - the sole survivor of your brothers and sisters.
I remember holding you, trying to get you to eat, wanting you to live. I was frustrated that your Mama didn’t have any milk, and wasn’t being a good Mama. I remember praying for your life to be spared.
I then remember you as a fat, fat puppy, with fat little ears that laid on your head like the laurel wreath around Caesar’s head. I remember your puppy breath and your big paws.
As you got older, we kept you in diapers, and brought you to bed; your Mama was a naughty pup, and often left you alone in the dog house outside. So, we brought you in the house so the hawks and other wild animals wouldn’t harm you.
I remember the first time you ran on the carpet, and we said, “oh well.”
I remember your needle-sharp puppy teeth, that earned you the name of “White Shark.”
I remember how impossible it was to take a picture of you. The photo in the solarium with your squeaky hamburger was a rare snap shot.
I laugh when I remember coming home, and finding my coat on the floor, with a puddle of piddle on it. The coat was obviously water resistant.
You were born in between the loss of my two babies; I remember you dancing and barking when I got out of the hospital in Denver. I said “Hi Baby!” and was SO happy to see you! You were such a joy in a time of such loss. Thank you.
I loved your brown nose and your bushy, foxy tail.
You knew so many words, and could spell many of them too.
I loved that you knew how to wipe the mud off your feet.
I remember your love of “bun buns” and “munkers.”
I remember when you got in a fight with Carly goat, and busted out the screen door – I’m not sure who would have won, but I wasn’t going to let you find out!
I laugh about you getting sprayed by a skunk, and eating the tomatoes during your ‘tomato bath.’
You had a lovely singing voice.
I remember how much you loved to attack bubble wrap, and the air compressor nozzle.
You were bound and determined to catch that tiny, red laser dot.
I remember you trying to eat a black wasp on the back door; it stung your mouth, so you knocked it to the ground, scratched at it several times, and then finally sat on it for a while. When the time seemed adequate, you stood up, turned around and looked at the flat bug. You won!
You learned tricks after being shown 5 times or less. What a smart boy!
I loved that you learned to avoid snakes, and would even jump back a few feet when you saw a stick in the road (that you thought was a snake).
I remember how much you liked to sit on laps, even though you were a bit too big to do so in the car – it didn’t matter to you.
I loved that you would hold your ground, and had a bit of an attitude. Just ask the porcupine.
You were a beautiful puppy, a wonderful friend, a gift to your family, and truly, a sweet boy!
Thank you for sharing your life with us; I thank God for the gift of your life. I can’t wait to see you again!
I love you, pup with a hundred names!
Mama #1
Friends Dan and Nancy (people who know) sent a card, and it helped a lot. Thanks, you guys!
