November 2014
Back in 2000 we went to a dog show to see if we could meet any breeders, and perhaps find a companion for our two year old Samoyed, Tasha. No matter who we asked, they all said “Go talk to Cheryl.” That’s the day we first met with Samoyed Rescue in the person of Cheryl Loper. She led us through the process and eventually gave us the names of two dogs we could look at, both owner-surrenders. The other dog was handsome, but when we met Charlie we knew he was our dog. He was the goofiest, friendliest dog you could imagine. He had personality to spare.
His original owner bought him from a backyard breeder for his kids, who didn’t want a puppy, and Charlie was ignored for the first seven months of his life. Then he was given to a co-worker who tried really hard but couldn’t deal with his extreme separation anxiety. As Charlie munched his way through their family room furniture they decided to list him with Cheryl, and it was our good luck to find him.
It took months of work to train him away from the separation anxiety, but eventually we could leave him in the house reliably. During that time Charlie and I were together most of the time and we bonded more than any other dog I’ve known. Kathy knew where I was by checking which way Charlie was looking. We began helping Cheryl as rescue volunteers, and eventually we took the reins. Since then we merged with Samoyed Rescue of Oregon to become Northwest Samoyed Rescue and received our federal non-profit status.
We knew right away Charlie’s conformation was terrible. His pasterns gradually broke down and he lost two inches of height. The ACLs in both rear legs failed and had to be repaired. We called him our poster child for backyard breeding, and kept him a little lean to reduce stress on his joints. We joke that he was responsible for funding the vet clinic’s new building.
For the last couple years he has been slowing down, and the last few months it was harder for him to stand. We celebrated his 15th birthday on August 27th by taking him for a visit to the vet, where they said all his levels were great even though he was a train wreck. He was still eager to please, picking up things I dropped and trading for kibble. Finally his rear end betrayed him because of nerve damage, and we put him in a lifting harness. Our vet suggested one more drug to help him move, but it didn’t work. Charlie simply could no longer get his rear off the ground. His last 24 hours were filled with love, lots of petting and grooming, and then we let him go. He went peacefully. We brushed him at the vet’s office while we were waiting, and I’ll carry a little of that hair with me forever. When it’s my time to go, some of his ashes will accompany me.
The first picture shows Charlie at our first meeting in 2000. The second was taken last year at Christmas. Many more shots are at http://nwsams.smugmug.com/family/charlie/
Since we met Charlie and discovered rescue, more than 160 dogs have come along and been placed in wonderful new homes. It’s all because of him. Charlie was born 8-27-99 and left us on 10-22-14. He leaves a great legacy.
Ron