“Something to Chew On” Charlie Bear with LBA #15

All I could do was hide my face and look sheepish after I attacked the two resident dogs. My foster dad was saying things like, “I’m done with him,” and “He’s unadoptable with behavior like that.” He was right. Who’d want me when I acted that way?

Foster Mom: I kept the dogs separated, tethered Charlie Bear to me, and worked with him constantly. I wanted so much to have him adopted into a forever home, but that looked bleaker by the day. Finally, one night David had a talk with him. “What’s wrong, Charlie? How can we convince you that you’re part of the pack?” I admired my husband’s strength in the face of this dog who often turned into a monster.

I was on thin ice with my foster dad, he told me so, and any day he’d boot me out after all I’d done. It was amazing that he was still so good to me.

Foster Mom: Right after David talked to him, I sat Charlie Bear on my lap and talked to him too. “Charlie, I’m trying to give you every opportunity to show yourself to be adoptable. But you’ve got to work with me here.” I looked into his eyes and massaged his head. And that’s when I saw the problem.

My foster mom’s hands felt nice when she rubbed me. But not today.

Foster Mom: I was rubbing Charlie’s ears and happened to look inside one of them. It was full of gunk. Apparently Charlie had an ear infection we were not aware of.

Do you know what it’s like when you can’t shake your head? When you can’t hear? Sensory perception is important and I’d been restricted. As soon as my foster mom found all that stuff in my ear she took me to the vet. Aaaaahhhh, what relief when they applied medication. Within days my ear and head felt so much better.  

Foster Mom: Charlie’s rescuer posted photos online to encourage his adoption. We started to get calls. But was he ready? Could someone put up with his Chucky side? I had my doubts that this dog could ever be adopted.

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P.S. LBA (Life Before Adoption) is coming to a close in just a few more posts. Stick with me, I’ll be regaling you with tales of LAA (Life After Adoption) soon. Check out the Charlie Here box above if you want a secret sneak peek at what’s coming.

And if you want to see all of my posts click on the Category to the right called Charlie Chat. They are all there starting back from #1.