ChunkyMonkey

On a different note

I will continue the Charlie story, I promise.

However, it is worth saying that when people you love move a very long way away. It. Really. Hurts. Sadly, time apart just seems to make the empty space in your heart a little bigger.  If it wasn't for the wonders of Skype, I would not get to talk to my wonderful, beautiful and very much loved Rebecca Rutter.  But, the down side is I miss her more every time we speak. She is so far away. It stinks.  Good job we will be in Vancouver in 27 days!!!!!!

We love ya Rutters. Get the wine in the cooler.

Now is the time

After 2 full months, I reckon it is time to blog about Charlie.

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie.  Just the sweetest most gorgeous mutt ever.  Our story began in November 1999.  We had been wanting to adopt a dog for a few months, and had visited a number of dogs homes.  We didn't want a puppy, as there are just too many unwanted dogs out there.  Auntie Linnie, Uncle Phil, Tom and a tiny baby Billy came to visit us for the weekend, and we decided to visit Chiltern Dog's Home.  We asked for a black Labrador.  The staff informed us they had no such match.  In the waiting room was a purple dog basket, with a baby's crib duvet, and a label that said 'Charlie'.  The lady said " we do have a lovely new dog.  He won't be here for long as he has no behavioural problems, and is good with children - would you like to see him?"

"OK" - we said.

Off she went. Soon she returned with a blonde, long haired some-kinda-retriever thing.  I sighed.  Davin swooned.  Davin and Charlie went off for a walk.  Never before had I witnessed love at first sight.  This observation was confounded by Uncle Phil saying " Aww, you'll never find a better dog than that".

So begins the love affair that was us and Charlie.  He came home with us that day.  He settled in immediately. The only trouble he ever caused us was much dog hair, and the occasional stealing of mint chocolates.

When Harvey was born in 2004, we were aprehenisive.  How would Charlie take a new addition?  The answer being......predicatably......Charlie accepted Harvey as a baby, and a toddler, and all of Harv' s  friends too.  He loved them.  Because they were children?  Because they left a trail of food wherever they went?

Charlie's decline into old age was thankfully slow.  He got to live with us in our beautiful new house, with the big garden over-looking fields.  The smell of fresh rabbit being rife in the air.

From the summer last year Davin and I knew in our hearts his time was limited.  He was slower than usual.  Unable to move freely.  Quality of life was there though.  What made us laugh was the new-found disregard for the previous house rules.  He started to steal food from the table - he would not have DARED before!

To be continued....