Until We Meet Again, Charlie

I was sure Charlie would live forever. He had that kind of spirit. He was steady and sweet; unassuming, but man, could he command a room and be the center of attention without even trying.

Jessica, contacted me in 2022 to do a family session on the beach, as Charlie was slowing and their other son, a human named Sam, was moving away. Jessica wanted to freeze this time. They’d rescued Charlie when he was just a wee 6-month-old little guy, and from the minute I met this fantastic family I knew one things for sure: Charlie was the center of all of their worlds. He was completely ADORED, the way every dog should be.

The Charlie charm worked on me, too.. I loved him. I became friends with Jessica and Lou after our session and would stay with Charlie if they went away. Everyone in the building knew and loved Charlie… he was a fair and furry Mayor with 100% approval rating.

Charlie was a mama’s boy for sure, and a huge chunk of Jessica’s heart and identity. I have never seen a dog and human more bonded, and I’ve seen a lot of super-glue bonds. Jessica’s days revolved around making Charlie comfortable and happy… and this past year she and Lou wouldn’t leave the house unless they had someone to stay with Charlie…. I was often the lucky one who got to have a night in with the sweet boy.

And so, of course you know how this ends. Charlie strapped on his superhero cape last week… just hours after I left from ‘babysitting’ him. He was just shy of his 19th birthday! Not many dogs can say they made it that far here on earth. As you can imagine, Jessica is devastated. What to do now when so much of her energy went towards loving Charlie? The only thing to do is allow time and space for the grief: cry, curl, sleep, remember, laugh, isolate, be gentle, go slow, celebrate a wonderful love and a sweet life.

Enjoy ALL the chicken, little one..
Fly high Charlie boy.