Our little big Charlie turned 8 months old on April 30. She is officially bigger and heavier than her older sister Lily. It's hard to believe it has only been 8 months--it feels like we have had her a lot longer. She has certainly crammed a lot of excitement into her short 8 months of life. Charlie's middle name should be trouble--because she gets into and causes lots of it. But, we love her anyway.
I would be lying if I said that I didn't want Charlie to be just like Lily. Because I really did. What's not to love about Lily? She's gentle, patient, loyal, and calm. But Charlie's not . . . she is her own dog with her own personality. I also have to admit that I was a teeny bit disappointed that she wasn't more like Lily until I realized something: Another version of Lily may have been the new little puppy I wanted, but Charlie was just the puppy I needed. She lives life to the fullest, and is wide-open 100% of the time. But most important, she loves Finn. She gets so excited when he gets up in the mornings and usually meets him halfway up the stairs. She loves it when he plays with her and will do just about anything to get his attention. They antagonize each other--he takes and hides her toys and she steals his balls when he is practicing t-ball in the yard. They wrestle and roll around in the yard and it is a hoot to watch. One afternoon, it hit me that Charlie isn't really my dog. She is Finn's dog.
I have vivid memories of growing up with our dogs: playing dress-up with Riley, our Irish setter, when I was young. Chocolate, our crazy Boykin spaniel, who could jump hedges and Buffy, my first cocker spaniel, when I was in elementary school and then Cookie, our golden, got me through high school and college. Many of my memories are closely intertwined with which dog we had at different points throughout my life.
For Finn, that dog (God-willing) will be Charlie. Hopefully, she will be with him through elementary, middle, high school and beyond. He will remember Lily (because she still has lots of good years left). But most likely, he will grow up with Charlie. And for that I love her dearly.
She really is a sweet dog--she loves people and never misses an opportunity to say hello to a person or dog walking by. She's just really big, and strong, and has lots of energy. She loves the beach and every time I take her she runs around like it's her last day on earth.
We love you Charlie. Just slow down a little bit on your growing, pretty please!
The Queen on her throne
Doesn't learn her lesson about eating inappropriate objects
Spends way too much time wallowing in the mud and then gets upset when she's not allowed inside
Our nightly view from the dinner table: Clearly they are starving and aren't being paid a bit of attention
She gets mad when she's put outside and climbs onto the table so she can see inside the kitchen window
Finn noticed our "special guest" who was solemnly watching us eat dinner while being forced to stay outside
I spy with my little eyes . . .
Gardening Tips by Charlie:
1. Dig large hole
2. Eat plant
3. Chew and destroy plastic plant container
4. Repeat steps 1-3 as needed
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