In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)
Meet Charlie! Charlie is a three-month-old Yorkie schnauzer mix (a schnorkie) who came into my life at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2022. His previous owner is a handyman who has fixed a number of things around my house over the years. When working at my house recently, he asked about Lilly, my Yorkie companion, since he didn’t see her running around or hear her barking. I told him that she had passed away in March, and a little while later, he asked if I would be interested in another dog. He told me about Charlie and that he couldn’t keep him because he is gone for work so much, and he showed me a video of Charlie running and playing. He set up a time to bring Charlie to meet me, and I adopted Charlie on the spot.
Charlie seems to be adjusting quickly. This past week, I’ve worked with him on potty training and walking on a leash, and he’s making progress with both. He’s a typical puppy who chews on everything and constantly nips at my hands and ankles, so we’re working on that as well. He’s chewed through one phone charger and on the corner of my recliner. He now has a larger variety of chew toys than I even knew were available. Every time he nips at me, I redirect him with a chew toy. All the experts say this will work eventually. I just have to hang in there until it does!
One time, I left Charlie to play with his chew toys while I did meal prep. When I turned around, I discovered that he’d strewn dirt from one of my plants all over the floor. Luckily, the plant wasn’t damaged. Even with all those toys, he found something else to play with. He didn’t get in trouble because I’m the one who left the plant where he could reach it. I swept up the dirt and moved the plant out of his reach.
Sometimes, it feels like two steps forward and five steps backward when training a puppy. Charlie is only the second puppy I’ve tried to train, and I know consistency is the key. The nice thing is that he sleeps through the night, often not needing to go outside until morning. I was expecting to lose a lot of sleep, but so far, that’s not the case.
I resisted getting a new dog after Lilly passed away. She was with me for almost twelve years to the day (I got her in April 2010). If you’ve read my blog recently, then you know about my struggle to adjust to life without her.
Even though I didn’t think I was ready for a new dog, I knew there was a reason Charlie came into my life in the seemingly random way that he did. He needed a home, and I didn’t want him to continue to be passed around or end up at the shelter. God knows better than I do, and I fully believe he brought Charlie to me.
Lilly’s legacy lives on in my devotionals and in this blog, and now Charlie will have his turn. I’m sure I’ll have more to share soon, so stay tuned!
Dear Jesus, thank you for bringing Charlie to me. I pray he’ll find comfort and a routine with me. Help me to take care of him in the way that lets him develop the best. Amen.
Love this. I know how hard it is to open the heart after we lose our fur babies . But I do believe God opens the doors at the right time when our hearts are ready. He knows that there is still much more love to bless another fur baby & have them join our family. Of course our other ones that have passed wouldn’t want us to miss out sharing our love with one that might not have a happy ending. I believe Lily Doggins is thinking “Well done Mom”. She knows that she will always have a special place in your heart.
Thank you, Jan! I appreciate your kind words.
This is so beautiful. He’s a lucky puppy. You’ll both have years of love to share. Enjoy!!
Thank you so much!
Love this!
Thank you!
So glad you found Charlie. May you and he have many adventures together in the years to come.
Thank you!
When we first got a young beagle puppy, he would chew on the toys that the children had last played with. So they soon learn to put all toys out of his reach, a good lesson in picking up toys for the children.
That was a good lesson! I am learning to put things out of reach as well. I didn’t realize I had so many things that could be considered toys until Charlie came along!
I’m so glad that Charlie came into your life, but I know full well that blessings can have footnotes! Like you, I was accustomed to the personality and behavior of my little NaeNae, a 16-year-old Brussels Griffon. Now we have added to our lives this Shih Tzu pup, who never walks but runs, who has chewed the corners of my books and furniture, who never lies quietly in my lap but is constantly demanding play time. Poppy is now eleven months old and has made great progress: she is housetrained; she knows several commands and obeys them except when something else catches her attention; she no longer nips (the command “gentle!” works, but the most effective way to stop a nip was my little yelp, which made her stop immediately and look at me with concerned eyes!); best of all, she has won my heart with her goofy ways and happy nature. It takes time, but every step of training is a bonding activity. You and Charlie will be fine!
Thank you, Judith! I appreciate the encouragement from someone who has been there recently. I’m so glad to hear that Poppy has made such great progress!