Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Oh Charlie, We Will Miss You, Our Beautiful Little Dog...My Little Coffee Buddy

It's with a grieved heart to have to blog on something that has recently and suddenly broken our hearts.  We lost our precious little dog, Charlie very, very late, the night of the 17th.  That very morning I awoke to a severely injured little dog.  It appears he was attacked by a coyote that night or early morning, the wounds had all the marks of a coyote, it was horrible. Neither Jem nor I noticed that Charlie hadn't followed us into our room the night before, and it had never been a problem before.

We rushed our little Charlie to the vet and the vet did what he could.  Charlie came back home with us as we watched and waited... When I went to bed I had a funny feeling, even though Charlie was walking around, he was unsettled he would walk and lay down, walk and lay down, he lay under the lit up Christmas tree of all places on the white sheet I used as a Christmas tree skirt. Yes, that happened and yes my tree was unapologetically up, I had a lot going on.  That night before I went to bed, Charlie's eyes told me something.


Jem and I miss our Charlie so much.  Just so very much, and the thought of how he suffered that day is just haunting to us.  I have to just close my eyes and pause.

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Charlie in his little wicker bed in our room as Gracie looks after him.
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Gracie keeping watch over Charlie after we arrived home from the vet's office.  Gracie was nuzzling Charlie and being so motherly and sweet, animals are such sentient beings.  Little angels.  We had to keep boxes under our bed there because poor little Charlie had wanted to try to hide under our bed, we thought we would never get him out.  My husband, Jem could hardly read this blog by the way it is such an emotional thing for he and I both.



 This is Charlie just a month or so ago, it was the morning hours, I was spending time with God and I looked across the room to see my sweet little dreamie Charlie gazing at me from across the room...

Charlie was a character, such a happy little dog with a dramatic side to him as well, as we would sometimes call him Carlos after the character in the old movie, 'A Man Called Godfrey'.




 Charlie's Story


We were so blessed to have had Charlie for over twelve years at least...  We had lost our sweet dog, Minnie Pearl and the following week we saw in the local paper, Charlie's face with a little bandana around his neck. He had the same little eyebrows as Minnie Pearl.

When our youngest, Grace saw the photo she said, Oh mommy we have got to go get him!  Just the thought of Grace being so little girl like is sobering.  Jem, Grace and I went to the animal shelter, back then known as the pound.  Grace had in her still little girl hand a lavender envelope soft with handling...It was wrinkled and it contained all of her birthday money, it was going to cost $65.00 to adopt Charlie and that is what Grace did.  When Grace saw Charlie tears rolled down Rebecca's face and she said through the tears...I love him...

I remember leaning down to pet Charlie when he first became part of our family and the little guy would wince, it broke my heart.  Apparently whoever had had him before was not very kind to him, but gradually Charlie knew he could trust our hands and he knew we loved him and would never hurt him ever.  He was safe with us! 


............

Charlie had become my little sit-next-to-me buddy since little Guiseppe died in November.  Charlie had been my special little coffee buddy for a couple of years now, I awake many times at 5am in the morning and usually Charlie follows me out of our room into the kitchen as I would say...Charlie?  Are you my coffee-buddy?  I would reach down and pet that little head full of curly silver locks...  It was a comfort and company for me.  It could be the middle of the night and Charlie would get up with me trotting right by my side.

One morning in the past couple of weeks I noticed he stayed in the living room with the larger dogs, Gracie and Coffee.  There was some wildlife out there they were intrigued by and they would go galavanting around exiting the dog door.  I didn't think too terribly much about it because Gracie is such a protector and usually Charlie is the Louie Zamparini of our dogs, he would quick as a wink grab a water moccasin in his mouth and shake it to it's end without a hitch.  He was just an amazing beautiful little dog who thought he was ten feet tall.

Many days I would call out to Charlie when he was outdoors as I held my hands up to cheer him on....Charlie!  Great and mighty wonder of  the wooooorrrrrld!!!   Charlie had adopted that title from our precious pitbull, Buddy who we lost several years ago.

He was Jem's buddy too, when Jem would hop into the Mule, his all terrain vehicle, Charlie would sit by his side.  When I took trips into town to say the auto mechanic, Charlie would hop on in with me, just so happy...such a happy little dog and he loved riding in cars with us.  He always wanted to go to the grocery store with us and I was always so sad to leave him standing there, but I would promise him a treat when we got back.  I would always say...Don't worry Charlie, we'll be back, we'll be back...  When I did come back he would be running in his cute little way up the driveway to greet me...And yes, treats were waiting for all of our fur angels.

When my dad came to visit over five years ago Charlie had jumped into his lap and my dad just loved Charlie.  Charlie was also my mom's favorite dog.  Everyone loved Charlie.




This photo was taken just a couple of weeks ago, he was napping next to me on the couch as I was texting my daughter, Zuzu.  I was laughing hysterically, even slapping my knee because of something I thought was so funny and he looked up at me so cute here...
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We very recently had a flood in the area and were out scouting around and Charlie was just so enjoying his ride with us.   Best day ever.






Here are a couple videos Jem took of Charlie and Gracie, there was a water bird tormenting the heck out of them.   What is in these short videos is so very typical...  so cute the way Charlie would amuse himself at the pond many a day.  He would just have a ball galloping about the pond chasing after turtles hopping in the water and the like.

You can see Charlie at full right watching the pond.  He and Gracie were pals.
 Such happy little dogs....






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When we first moved out here I would go to the back of the property and spend time with God, and Charlie would be right there with me just enjoying the day...He just loved being with me.




This was very common for Charlie...Just contentedly laying in a bed or on a couch, sometimes the foot of our bed...just resting and taking it all in...Wherever he would go or follow he would get his little paws, (he stood like a ballerina) and he would burrow and dig into the fabric or rug getting perfectly comfortable.




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The day we discovered Charlie had passed to the other side...It was a cruel thing for me to have to go about cleaning the evidence of our suffering little fur angel...So.  Hard.   I felt as if I was the only person left in the world.  

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That evening I was walking around the house, trying so hard to do the next thing as Elisabeth Elliott suggested years ago...Thinking of Charlie, my dad, Guiseppe....Buddy... Esther....You name it...   Praying.  Praying hard.



I sat in one of our recliners and in a mindless effort I put this movie on from the list...   The Men of Boys Town.   



God spoke to me strongly through this scene at 3:37 of the movie.   I love the part of Father Flanagan, I do believe the character of Father Flanagan portrayed in this movie is truly like God's character.  I taped a capsule scene of the movie containing one important part...Perhaps I am a cross between Pee Wee and Ted in these times...  The entire capsule here contains elements of life for all of us. 





Father Flanagan:  Ted you've stood so much pain do you think you can stand a lot  more?  

Ted:  Why doesn't somebody else have to stand it?!

Father Flanagan:  Everybody does have to go through pain Ted, some seem to have more to endure then others and you're one of them I can't tell you why either unless it's... suffering seems to forge such a fine man that in the end you'll be better then the rest of us...







Father Flanagan:  It is the time when Giants will walk again on the land.  Be staunch, keep the faith...And you will walk among the giants.   God bless you.



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Life is much like the movie above,  I do recommend the movie, 'Men of Boys Town' by the way, for many reasons.  Oh such a different time in our country.

I cling to God and I cling to the old ways. May we walk among the giants as we hold unto God's loving Hand. May we be that Ted as he walks in the end cradled by the Father.  

Hear the little boys singing?  It's a beautiful thing...Isn't it Charlie?


 

Be kind to people, we don't know what that visitor has gone through.  

amelia 
 

20 comments:

Marianna said...

This is a hard blog to read... honestly, it has me crying! The pics are almost too much for me. I do miss that little dog. This is a beautiful tribute to a precious little dog who seems like he was gone much too soon. I'm so sorry for your loss... the loss weighs heavy on my heart as well, but I know I wasn't even the one who was with him every day lately! I'm only glad he didn't suffer too long... but I hate that he suffered at all. He was a worthy and sweet pup who is much missed. I also love the Boys' Town quotes and clips; I love that movie. The words were good to hear today, about pain. Thank you for sharing them. We continue to pray for you, and we continue to miss sweet Charlie. I'm thankful to the Lord for gifting him to us for the time we had him. <3 <3 <3

Barbara said...

This is such a sweet post, a precious eulogy to your dear Charlie. Your pictures and videos are so good. I am very sorry for your loss.

Amelia said...

Marianna, Charlie was a special little guy to you too...I know he loved you and you loved him...It's all so shocking. Dad and I are still talking about missing little things he would do, just little reminders everywhere.

The movie is the sequel to Boys Town, Men of Boys Town and it has ministered to me so much. I'm reading the book on Father Flanagan now... I hope the quotes minister to you too dear one. Thank you for your prayers dear ones...So appreciated and needed. Charlie was such a special gift to us all...Carlos, Louie...Charlies Bingley....Our Charlie. Charlie...Great and Mighty Wonder of the World. <3<3<3

Amelia said...

Thank you so very much Barbara, I appreciate you.

Kathy said...

I am sort of new to your blog, but one thing I have loved is the way I see you love your dogs. I am so sorry for your loss and the way this happened.

On Christmas day this year I saw something with a bushy tail run through our back yard and I quickly looked to see it was a coyote. That terrifies me because of my 13 year old Sheltie and my one remaining chicken. We hear them yapping at night quite frequently. I will be praying for you. So sad.

Love, Kathy

p.s. Thank you for your movie recommendations. We have watched a few. My favorite was Sergeant York. Great movie!

Mrs. White said...

Dear Amelia,

You have endured so much suffering. I am sorry for your loss.

I have the movie "Men of boys town" and love it. The words you shared from Father Flanagan are excellent. What an encouragement when going through trials!! I think that is an important movie to watch again and again.

God bless and comfort you!

Debbie Harris said...

Dearest Amila~ You have been on my mind for the past few weeks, now I partly know why.
I was so sorry to hear of this incident and the loss of your precious Charlie, just shocking!
You have certainly been through quite the sorrow here lately and I'm so very, very sorry.
Your dear Gracie is absolutely darling looking over her buddy, she too has had her share of loss with her fur buddies.

Thinking of you all and I will be holding you up in prayer as you face the challenges that will meet you in the days ahead.

God be with you and may you be comforted in His unending love and grace.

Much Love to you ❤

Amelia said...

Dear Kathy, It is such a pleasure to meet you, thank you so much for commenting and following my blog, it means the world.

Oh my, yes, the coyotes and the bobcats are running rampant it seems. Thank God your little Sheltie was okay as well as your little chicken. A nearby suburb even issued a warning to everyone concerning coyotes and bobcats, warning everyone to keep pet food and even water inside.

I'm so glad you are enjoying and using the movie recommendations, the old movies are so great I think. Most of them were made during a time in our country when there was a healthy fear of God.

Thanks again, your comment is a blessing and I so, so appreciate your prayers! Love, Amelia

Amelia said...

Oh Mrs. White, Thank you so much. Yes, that movie has ministered to my heart greatly. It was very much the Lord that evening, I just 'happened' to watch that movie on my list, never paying very good attention to it before. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard what I did.

God works in mysterious ways. I agree, we should watch that movie over and over again. I appreciate you. Bless you.

Amelia said...

Oh Debbie, Thank you so, so much. I covet your prayers, it's been very trying times with our little fur angels as you can imagine. Yes, there is a reason when people are on our minds isn't there? The Holy Spirit works in such mysterious and wonderful ways. It's such a comfort to know prayers are sent.

I wonder what Gracie and the others are wondering and feeling, and I wonder what Gracie saw...What happened and how. Our vet said...'Oh, if only they could talk to us and tell us what happened.'

I love and thank God for your heart and sensitive, caring spirit, Love to you, Amelia

Dana said...

I'm just so sorry to hear this news. You have the sweetest, tender heart. You gave Charlie many good years in your home. It breaks my heart that he was abused before you adopted him. I will be praying for you.

Amelia said...

Dear Dana, Thank you so much and thank you for your encouragement, yes, the scene of little Charlie wincing when I reached out to pet his little head is playing in the theatre of my mind quite a bit these past few days...I know it broke God's heart too. Charlie would look at us at times as if to say...Thank you for taking me, do you still love me? And we would say...Char-leee we love you Charlie...

You are so, so kind to come and take the time to encourage as you have done. Thank you for your prayers Dana. Blessings to you Dana.

Little Mama Mia said...

This is so sad, Mom. You captured memories of our little Charlie so well. I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. I know you and Dad were particularly close to him and loved him so much. And that is a comfort to me - knowing he was so well loved. He was such a happy little dog. The pic of him riding in the car captures that so sweetly. The pics really bring back memories of our sweet, little energetic, joyful, fur baby. And your little virtual snapshots described him so well too. I remember when Rebecca brought him home that first time and he was such a ball of energy... just jumping around like crazy - and so happy to be in his new home! The night before he passed, knowing he wasn't doing too well, I'm glad i had a chance to look into those little brown eyes and tell him I loved him and talk to him. I'm thankful for that opportunity. He will always be well remembered in our family. In the meantime, I know the heartache and grief is very real. So please know you are in my prayers as you continue to grapple with this and other losses. I'm so very sorry.
Also, I'm not able to play those videos with the bad internet connection tonight but thought this was so well said, Mom - "I cling to God and I cling to the old ways. May we walk among the giants as we hold unto God's loving Hand. May we be that Ted as he walks in the end cradled by the Father. "

With lots of love <3

Amelia said...

Lea, Yes, it was so good that you got to talk to him and give him special pets that night, poor little Charlie, I know he felt very, very loved.

It's so nice that you remember how he was so very, very happy when he came to our home! I remember tucking him into that basket, his special bed in Rebecca's room with a flannel blanket with little grey scottie dogs on it...He layed there and had the cutest look on his face, we laughed and called him 'wolfie' that night, his little teeth shown so cute. There would be times that little ball of energy would escape and run the neighborhood, he had just had his surgery and a neighbor would call...'We found your dog and he looks like he just had surgery?' Yep, he could not hardly be contained! Grandma said when he escaped then,she and one of you girls had gone down the street to get him as he eluded everyone...'That dog's like a jackrabbit!'

He was such a happy little dog, even in old age he had so much life, just had such a cute little personality. He had calmed down but still energetic and just loved life trotting around when not napping...He would put his head on dad when we first got him, almost telling dad, he loved him with his eyes, almost asking with his paw, 'Do you still love me?'...So showing appreciation and also acclimating to our family. <3

It's a difficult time for sure...And I truly am clinging to God and hanging on to that rope as the old Italian women would say...Hanging on to the old ways too. I do feel like a cross between Pee Wee and Ted carried by the Father. The Heavens seem silent and still but at the same time a quiet Peace gently comes from them...

Life has so many changes, just so many...It's been a lot.

Much love, Mom xo

Michelle said...

This brings me tears. Our poor, charming little Charlie will be so missed. I can't believe how unexpected it all was and how quickly we lost him. I remember well the day we went to the pound to pick him up...I was there tagging along with you and Rebecca that day. Wow...what bitter sweet memories. Charlie was such a cheerful, loyal dog. He always stole my seat on the couch and looked up with those big eyes, too pitiful looking to ask to move. He is so missed already and even more so for you and dad. Makes me so heartbroken to think about. :'( You wrote here, such a beautiful tribute here to such an incredible dog. ❤ And I'll have to check out the movie at the library or something...it's been years since I've seen it and would love to see it again.

Amelia said...

Oh Michell, Yes, I remember you being with us that day. Charlie was a bundle of energy and the pound called him 'Dexter'. I asked them that day why he was called 'Dexter', and the sweet lady just smiled and looked down filling out the papers...I have to smile even now on that one...Oh Charlie what a little trip you were...

The movie these clips are from are from the sequel to 'Boys Town' it's called 'Men of Boys Town'. The movie is just one of the most precious movies ever, I believe God picked that one for me that day and even in these weeks. Yes, God moves in mysterious ways. I sure wish there were some Father Flanagans around these days...

Michelle, I still remember you with that head full of dark brown hair and big brown eyes back then... It was a special day that we got Charlie, such a little character and lovely little dog... I miss him so much. <3

Sandi said...

My condolences, Amelia.

Amelia said...

Thank you, Sandi...Thank you so very much.

Blessings to you.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Oh dear Amelia, this just breaks my heart to read it! Oh that is such a horrifying thing to find your precious dog hurt so badly, and oh, the pain of the loss! Our precious dog was run over in a freak accident three years ago and our family still mourns his loss. He was just the sweetest dog we've ever had, and we've had many. Praying that somehow the precious memories will help ease the sting of the loss in your heart, but the loss of such a precious little family member really takes a while to recover from! Your family will be in my prayers!

Amelia said...

Thank you so much Marilyn, I can tell you understand by what you have written and I appreciate it so, so much. Thank you for coming by and commenting. Oh how awful that your sweet dog was run over like that, I know things like that just really stick in our hearts and the theatre of our mind. I appreciate your prayers very much.