Tribute to Charlie (aka Booker)

Posted on 09. Jun, 2010 by jeanine in Blog

I wanted to share with everyone the story of one very special little boy who crossed the Bridge last week and celebrate the wonderful life he was given by a very special woman. 

Charlie (who I originally called Booker for some bizarre reason) came from one of our high kill shelters and was a little beat up andrough around the edges at the time.  He wasn’t a particularly attractive guy (as you can see by his rescue pic) but he had a soulful nature about him that I really connected with. 

Every once in a while I’ll have a really strong gut instinct about a perfect connection between a potential adopter and a dog and I’m compelled to make it my mission to convince the person THIS is the perfect fit for them, albeit they don’t always share in my clairvoyance.  Karen was one of those people who was a little skeptical at first.  I remember vividly the night she came to meet Booker at my house.  She was exquisitely dressed and had a poise and stature that made it obvious she was a very successful business woman.  Indeed she is a movie exec and traveled extensively so having a pooch that was portable was important.  Booker was perfect sherpa size.  He didn’t exactly put on the lance romance act so naturally Karen was far from sure this was her destiny dog.  I on the other handhad neon flashing BINGO signs all around.  After making my most convincing  sales pitch (and without sounding like one of those psycho dog rescuers) she agreed to give him a try.   He walked out that door with her and they both embarked on the best 5 years of their life.  Below is Karen’s e-mail to me notifying me of our loss.

———-

Dear Jeanine–
 
 

I’m sure you don’t remember me, but you changed my life forever on December 2nd, 2004.  That was the day you allowed me to adopt my wonderful Charlie.  When I met him at your house, he was called “Booker”.  He was a 3 year old white Poodle-Bichon mix with a bite on his face and a reluctance to get too close to anyone.  I wasn’t sure, but you knew he was a perfect fit for me and allowed me to take him home to try him on for size.  It was during our drive home when he crawled onto my lap and layed his head on my chest that I knew he was my baby.  We never looked back. 
 
Charlie and I were 2 peas in a pod.  He came with me to work, traveled with me to San Francisco, Chicago, Houston and New York. We were rarely apart..  He loved planes and his sherpa bag.  We went to parks to look for squirrels and took long drives just so he could stick his head out the car window and let the wind catch his ears. 
 
In February, he had a tumor removed from his kidney and was subsequently diagnosed with a very aggressive and deadly cancer of the blood vessels called hemangiosarcoma.  They gave him 4 weeks to live, but with chemotherapy 4 months. I went for the chemo and Charlie sailed through with flying colors and no side effects. He remained energetic and full of mischief right to the end.   He died in my arms on June 4th at 8:30 pm.  He was only 8. 
 
Jeanine, I want to thank you for giving me my Charlie.  He was a wonderful companion and friend to me.  Without you and Bichons and Buddies, I would have never known such unconditional love. 
 
I know I will never find another Charlie, but I sure as hell want to give it another try, so keep your eyes open for a small, young dog who is in need of a loving mom and doesn’t mind hopping in a travel bag every once in a while.  
And thank you again for giving me the best 5 years of my life. 
 
All the best,
Karen