Happy Ending!

This happy ending is long over due. Seeing Jan & Al (Charlie's foster parents) in the spotlight this month jogged the memory that we had not done this yet.

It's been almost 10 months (WOW!) since Charlie came into our lives! The only thing we can think now is...what was life like before this wonderful dog claimed our hearts?!

When we first got Charlie it was a new experience for us, we never have been owners of dog, just sitters. So here we are driving home from Lansing with this dog who looked so scared, I knew our life was about to change. I'm not sure who was more nervous at that point, the dog or us.

In the beginning he did not leave our side so afraid of whatever happened before. He would be on top of my feet when I was getting ready in the morning. Now when I get ready, he is either on the bed or on the couch just snoring away. His little legs are finally strong enough to jump up on both and he knows he's allowed to do so. Charlie is a quick learner, it didn't take him long to catch on to what was allowed and what wasn't. The one thing we still marvel at, is the fact it did not take him long to learn that outside was for going potty. Only a few accidents, (whoever came up with the idea that pillars should be inside a house never had a dog to train!!!)

It took only a few weeks for Charlie to start to realize he could trust us and we would not hurt him in any way, just love him. We knew things were progressing nicely when we saw his tail wag, albeit ever so slightly. Well, one would of thought he just climbed a mountain the family was so excited about his accomplishment! We knew then we had finally broken through that wall. Now, not only does he wag his tail, but he has his whole body going.

We have 3 teenagers, one college, one 12th grader and one 10th grader. Dad's office is in the home and Mom is keeps busy helping run the youngest hockey team. So, Charlie's days consist of getting the two kids still left at home off to school, then helps Dad do a little work in the office, then he gets his walk later in the morning. Lunch time is a favorite time for Charlie especially if there is deli meat involved. Then back to the office or follow Mom around until he gets tired. If he's really lucky he gets to help run errands. Car rides are the best thing ever!! By then the kids are home from school, sometimes he gets to take another walk. After supper he always goes for yet another walk. (This is why he can now jump.) When night time comes he sleeps with our daughter because she is an early to bed person just like Charlie. By the way, our daughter rubs his belly, paws and massages his muscles before he goes to sleep every night (could life get any better?)

Charlie is proof you can teach an old dog new tricks, he has learned so many things so quickly we are amazed. He has learned to sit, stay, wait for it (the treat) walk on a leash, lay down and run to the door when we say "who's home?!" just to name a few. We have a pet groomer (Jenna) that comes to the house every 3 weeks, she just loves to see what new thing Charlie is doing since she saw him last. Charlie is completely in love with Jenna and he gets sooooo excited when she knocks on the door. Jenna tells us she wishes all her dogs loved to be groomed like Charlie does, he's a star client, almost asleep through it all.

Charlie will be 10 years old in January. One would never know it, except for he sleeps quite a bit and he's a little gray. Most who meet him are amazed that he is this old. I think Charlie is living the life he missed earlier, he has plenty of energy in small allotments.

If anybody ever hesitates about adopting an older dog, talk to our family. Charlie is awesome. Our family is so happy to have him, for the what will probably be shorter years than most own a dog. We are thrilled to give this little guy love, attention and spoil him the last years of his life however many they may be. We feel the first years of Charlie's life must have been so awful, that the last half is going to make up for it. So far I think it has, he seems pretty content with his new life.

Thanks Jan and Al for following your instincts and trusting newbie dog owners to adopt Charlie. We love him to pieces!!!

The Boogaard family