Charlie 30

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Update 10/27/2024: “A happy boy to the end, Charlie peacefully passed away in his foster mom’s arms.”

Charlie, the exceptional boy who was so gentle, sweet, and loving, peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

His foster mom reports that she so misses Charlie. He would get so excited when she came home from work, enthusiastically barking his greeting, and giving and receiving much love! He thrived on attention and having his cheeks and belly rubbed. Charlie was wherever his foster mom was.

Charlie had recently attended his vet’s 40th anniversary event and he loved being out and about, greeting a very cute Pittie, receiving attention from those who attended, and getting special treats. Charlie received many compliments on how handsome he was and for being a lovely dog.

As the days went by, Charlie’s mobility decreased, making walking more difficult. At his vet visit, he received his arthritis injection, was started on more pain medications, and had his previous pain medication dosage increased. He also had complete senior bloodwork done. Before the results came back, Charlie’s eating required his foster mom to feed him with a spoon so he would get his nutrition. He did readily eat this way. His desire for treats started to diminish. The water bowl was brought to him as he could no longer get up to get a drink himself. Bathroom duties were hard as he could not stand up long enough to do so. Sadly, his bloodwork came back with a diagnosis of Chronic Renal Failure and Diabetes. He was put on a kidney supplement in his diet.

Charlie revisited the vet as his quality of life diminished. Discussion with his vet gave a poor prognosis for him. Decisions had to be made and unfortunately the hardest decision was made. A happy boy to the end, Charlie peacefully passed away in his foster mom’s arms. Charlie, a handsome dog, a loving dog, a very special dog, is sorely missed. Charlie is very grateful for MAESSR, his foster mom, and his vets for taking him when he needed rescuing. They gave him a loving, happy nine months of pure love and joy.

God speed Charlie, you are now able to run freely across the Rainbow Bridge. You are definitely missed and much loved.

Update 06/23/2024: “When it’s time for ear cleaning, Charlie gives a very concerned look, but he takes the cleaning like a champ.”

Charlie continues to do well in his foster home.  He has adjusted quite well and made his foster home his home.  It is as though he has been at his foster home his entire life!

Charlie did spend a day at the vet due to his hanging fatty tumor under his chest area.  The tumor started getting angry looking, and the vet recommended removal before it would burst open.  Charlie tolerated the procedure very well, with his vet giving him a sedative and numbing the area, versus general anesthesia due to his age.  All went as expected and Charlie did excellently!

Charlie is continuing his monthly Librela shots for his arthritis, which is working very well for him.  When it’s time for ear cleaning, Charlie gives a very concerned look, but he takes the cleaning like a champ.

When his foster mom has to go to work, Charlie awaits patiently for his chicken jerky to keep him busy while his foster mom leaves. The chicken jerky has become number one in Charlie’s menu of treats!!

Charlie has a doggy bed in the kitchen which he will lie upon while his foster mom is busy doing duties in there.  However, at bedtime, no doggy bed on the floor for Charlie!  He has his own special place on his foster mom’s bed. He will give a leap to get on it, with a rear boost from his foster mom; then he is content for the rest of the night!

Charlie is not overly fond of the current heat wave.  Just out to go do his duties and back in the AC for Charlie!

Charlie is such a love, a very special boy!  Charlie will continue to enjoy every day being loved, cuddled, and well-cared for!

Original: “Charlie will live out his life with his foster mom, getting all the love, care and attention he so deserves.”

Charlie became a MAESSR boy because his elderly owner from Pennsylvania had health issues which made it impossible to care for Charlie anymore. 

Charlie is a very sweet, affectionate senior who loves attention!  He loves to be scratched/massaged on both sides of his cheeks, simply melting when his foster mom does this! 

An adaptable Springer, Charlie settled quite quickly into his foster home, learning his new routine and adjusting well.  When Charlie’s foster mom goes to work, Charlie can either be found on his bed in the bedroom or the doggy bed in the kitchen. He is a perfect gentleman by keeping out of the trash cans and not chewing on things he shouldn’t.  Charlie does like to chew on his bones and pig ears, though.  He takes his treats very gently with his favorite being Beggin’ Strips! He gets quite alert when he sees his foster mom open this bag!

Charlie will whine when he needs to relieve himself outside.  He cannot do high stairs without help, but he does fairly well –with some help– going down the back cement stairs which aren’t as steep.  He comes up these stairs mostly by himself.

Due to Charlie’s neck issues, he must wear a harness when going for his walks. He does get excited when he sees his harness and leash!  He likes to go for his short walks to the back field where he can smell whatever creature that may have passed through!  Appreciative of his surroundings, Charlie will stop on his walks simply to take in the scenery!

Charlie does not pull on the leash and walks very nicely. His gait shows his front legs are not in coordination with his rear legs. The rear legs appear to have a more normal stride, while his front legs are more short and quick in movement.  Charlie has met the neighbors and will greet them appropriately! When he sees people coming and going while in his yard, he likes to bark at them letting them know he is there. There are neighborhood dogs that he has not met in person as of yet, but they hold a conversation with each other from across the way!  Charlie likes to go for car rides and will get his front legs up on the car and then get a boost from his foster mom to pop onto the seat.  He will whine at times but settles by lying down on the back seat.

Charlie does not appear to know many commands but does know by the wave of his foster mom’s hand to “come.” He doesn’t play with toys very much but when Charlie does, he will bark at his foster mom.  When his foster mom comes over to play, Charlie will lie down, bark, sit back up and then will play with his bone or rope toy.  Wanting to play gets him excited!  Charlie does not resource guard anything.  He is quite willing to give up his toy to replay again. Being an older gentleman, his activity level understandably is not high. Charlie prefers to be near his foster mom for lots of attention,

Although Charlie had been groomed prior to coming into his foster home, his foster mom clipped the hairs between the pads of his paws for which he did quite well, not caring at all.  So, it is believed he did fine at the groomer.  With getting his ears cleaned, Charlie knows what the cotton balls are for!  He tolerates ear cleaning very well.  Loves his paws massaged, belly rubs, butt rubs, and especially cheek rubs! 

Charlie’s visit at the vet went very well, taking in all the prodding, leg and neck stretches without concern.  He is receiving treatment for ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis plus antibiotics for a minor ear infection.  The vet noted disc issues in cervical spine which cause uncoordinated gait.  He is taking pain medication for his cervical disc problems and arthritis. The vet is watching several fatty tumors and especially a hard one by his rear leg.  A potential cracked tooth is being monitored too.

Charlie is simply the sweetest senior, loving a simple life with lots of attention and being close to his foster mom. This senior is such a love, with expressive eyes and a gentleness of spirit.  Charlie will live out his life with his foster mom, getting all the love, care and attention he so deserves.