Charlie Bear here.
This month I’m going to be five. Back when I was just one, if you had asked my rescuer Ryo and my foster mom Sara if I’d make it to five, they’d have said it was unlikely.
I ferociously guarded my food, didn’t like to be touched, and I threw temper tantrums. It wasn’t the best behavior for a dog that needed a forever home, but it was all I knew, living alone on the streets in Los Angeles, fending for myself among packs of other dogs all vying for the same pitiful morsels of food scrounged from a dumpster or thrown away in styrofoam at the side of a road. On top of that, the fur at the rear end of me got all matted and started to pull at me. It hurt when I sat down so I’d jump up and start to spin in circles, snapping at my tail.
Then something good happened. My foster mom Sara asked a behaviorist to work with me. He did and I got a little better. Enough better that Sara thought I might be adoptable. She really wanted me to have a forever home.
So along came candidates to adopt me. Some were too young, some were too focused on making me a purse dog, some didn’t have the experience to deal with a dog like me. Sara almost resigned herself to me being unadoptable, especially when I had spinning episodes after each encounter with a possible adoption home (seems even after that matted fur was trimmed off I still had the old behavior).
Alas, it was looking bleak for me. And then…on the horizon…came riding in a knight in shining armor. Okay, not a guy on a horse, but to me he was a savior.
Dad Peep. He loved me instantly. And guess what? I allowed him to touch me and to pet me, and I fell in love with him, too. He was kind to me, and spoke softly to me. I had to work to get Mom Peep to fall for me, but she had a big dog named Rex that she loved. I figured she could have him and Dad Peep could have me. ha!
So that’s how the story started. And here we are four years later with me almost five now.
Do you ever look back? I do, just to see how far I’ve come. I’m thankful for what I have: a forever home with Peeps who love me.
And if you’re curious about my whole story (which is WAY more than what I’ve mentioned … like how Mom Peep almost didn’t keep me), you can find it in the book we wrote: CHARLIE BEAR. Click on Mom’s website link to see it: www.bjtayloronline.com
Wiggles and Woofies,
Charlie Bear
CB; I am a little late with the BD wishes so are you five for real now or still reaching for it? I try to stay pretty calm as far as behaviors come but when it comes up a thunder and lightening clouds well, that’s another tale. I have no use for that stuff and get as close to my peeps as I can and wont move a peg until it all over, silly me; mom peep says, but no matter what she tells me I got no use for that stuff. Once in awhile I get the spins too, I get a toy and go round and round til I give out, then I stop, lie down until I get my breath again and then sometimes I go another round but most times I am through with that as no one pays any attention to me. Well hope you and I can live to celebrate another birthday but mine is not until around Thanksgiving when I will be 7 1/2. The vet said I was 1 1/2 when my peeps got me as they got me from the shelter and no one really knows, so I will take that.. The most important thing is I have found my “Forever Home” and I Am Loved; in fact I am spoiled rotten and I luv it…
Woofs & Wags;
Beaugie..
Beaugie,
Yup, we are both spoiled rotten, and we both love it! Funny thing is for me…well, maybe it’s a good thing cause of where we live…but we don’t get too much in the way of nature. Hardly ever rains, and certainly not hard if it does. It doesn’t blow too hard or lightning, and no thunder. Except Mom Peep did hear thunder one time and she loved it. She misses the changes in weather that she had in Wisconsin. She even misses the snow…silly girl.
Wiggles and woofs to our forever homes and being spoiled rotten,
Charlie Bear
Five years, Charlie Bear? I can hardly believe it! I do look back. I love remembering. Just wait until you’re hair turns even grayer than it is, and your joints get stiff. You will really look back then. And you will smile at your memories. Give Mom Peep a doggy kiss for me.
Kay,
So far I don’t have any gray. (I’m in denial.) Stiff? Ah, well, that’s another story. I stretch my little body every morning to get the kinks out, doing one of those downward dog moves that all Peeps seem to think is so cute.
Your request is easy. I walk up Mom Peep’s chest and lick her on the face as often as I can. The next lick is for you.
Woofs and wiggles,
Charlie Bear
Happy happy birthday, Charlie!! I am so glad Mom and Dad Peep have taken such good care of you! They knew that deep down, you were a precious Bear. And so cute, too!!!
Veronica,
Thanks for the happy birthday! Yes, I am a precious bear, but, alas, I didn’t often show it. I still have moments when I’m a grumpy, ferocious, intimidating bear, but I’m working hard on getting over those moments quickly. Thanks for saying I’m cute!
Wuv you,
Charlie Bear
Hi Charlie Bear. Happy Birthday! I look back at the good and the bad. The good makes us grateful, and the bad makes the good even gooder!
Marisa,
Thanks for the birthday wishes! I love how looking at the “bad” makes the good even gooder!
Wiggles and woofs,
Charlie Bear
Charlie Bear is adorable! Love that face! 🙂
cdog5,
Lick, lick, snuggle, snuggle. I WUV you!
Woofs and wiggles,
Charlie Bear
Charlie Bear, I look back a lot! And some things I’m still working on (I probably always will be) but I’ve improved too. Such a good post today–got me thinking. 🙂 And happy almost birthday!
Julie,
That’s the thing — looking back is good, as long as you notice how far forward you have actually come. No fair in looking back and wallowing. That does no one (or no dog) any good.
Woofs to you, and thanks for the early birthday wishes,
Charlie Bear