Charlie

My cousin Cynthia recently had to say Good-bye to Charlie, the dog she and her husband Alan had had for 10 years. Charlie was a rescue who came to them at the age of 4 and was a wonderful and happy dog. But Charlie's health started failing recently and a few days after Christmas he went over the Rainbow Bridge. This is the tribute Cynthia wrote for him.

A Boy and His Dog

By all conventional measures, the boy is considered a middle-aged man and his dog, elderly. But when they were together, both were transported to a much earlier time in their lives. Alan’s dog Charlie always managed to overcome his arthritis and his 14 years to play chase, tug of war, or wrestle, whenever the opportunity was available. Charlie was truly kept young at heart by Alan’s daily playfulness. I suspect the smile you often saw on Charlie’s face was a mixture of both happiness and appreciation. I enjoyed witnessing their playful antics. Especially when they played chase in the house. A stuffed toy, or woobie as we fondly call them, was the object of desire. The one who had it was chased by the other until it was gotten. It was either Charlie chasing Alan, or the other way around.  I swear, when Charlie had the woobie, it appeared as if he was teasing Alan!  The most unfair moment in this game was when Alan would take the chase into the kitchen and inevitably open the refrigerator door to block Charlie from getting to him. Charlie knew this was unfair and let Alan know it by his incessant barking. Eventually, Charlie would prevail as victor and proudly trot with woobie in mouth to his bed for a well earned rest.

Rain or shine, Alan tried to make each and every day a good one for Charlie.  And, at the close of each day, once Charlie was given his last little treat, usually a small piece of cookie Alan was eating, Charlie would put his head down on his bed and fall asleep with a snore and a smile from ear to ear.

May you be forever smiling, Charlie.