We went looking for a puppy on a warm August day

Searching the shelter for a companion who was friendly and wanted to play.

Hoping to give an abandoned dog a place to be loved and to roam,

Freeing this sweet animal from the metal cage he called home.

That day no puppies were around and we didn’t know why.

But there was one dog sitting quietly in the corner that caught our eye.

He was a mutt of all mutts- who knows what his breed,

His brown Valentino eyes looked at us with an urgent need.

He gave us a dog smile and wagged his white tail

We knew he was the one we would set free from this jail.

He got up quickly off that concrete floor and hopped into our car

Looking out the window thanking his lucky star.

He went up the steps and looking around this new place.

Sniffing and searching with a quick stepping pace.

The shelter named him Charlie and the name seemed to fit,

So we kept his name Charlie and he didn’t mind a bit.

We would soon come to learn our frisky new find

Needed some schooling to get him to mind.

Doggy Obedience School earned him a ribbon to hang

We were so proud of him and his praises we sang.

He’s a Charlie we’d  laugh and would say.

Describing a unique original that we loved everyday.

He was playful, loyal, naughty and sweet

Daytime following us, and at nighttime at our feet.

Charlie made friends with dogs in the hood.

Making his rounds, greeting pals, was he up to no good?

Over the years the neighbors came to agree

That Charlie liked to wander and a free spirit was he.

Charlie got into mischief, he was a cool dude.

A loveable mutt always begging for food.

He ate a whole gingerbread house set out for the birds

Climbed onto the counter ate a stick of butter in thirds.

He stumbled upon a nest of bees that stung his black nose

Got sprayed by a skunk and had a tomato sauce bath with the help of the hose.

A dangerous run-in with a wild coyote that chomped off a chunk of his ear

No cowardly behavior, he was brave and showed no fear.

Charlie loved his toys  and he would shake, bite and growl.

A frog, a monkey, a tough guy and a cow.

Charlie helped socialize a litter of feral kittens to be kind

It was another job he had, and he didn’t mind.

A special kitten we named Lily from that litter we kept

He was her best friend, and on the rug together they slept.

He liked to chase Emily into the hall

She scratching the hall rug, he smiling and standing tall.

Charlie knew each car that belonged on our street.

Knowing the makes and models of cars was an extraordinary feat.

Charlie was lucky, he had a purpose in life.

Defending the children, protecting the husband and wife.

As the years passed joints became stiff and arthritis set in.

Aging gracefully he’d push through the pain trying to win.

Seeing him struggle up the stairs despair on his face

Stopwatch ticking it was time for Charlie to bow out of the race.

Charlie went to sleep forever on a cold January day.

Embraced by our family we were with Charlie as he set out on his way.

Beginning a journey to a new heavenly home

In the caring arms of loved ones he was not alone.

He lived out his purpose, he lived happy and free.

Loved by his family and was able to just Be.

We miss you Charlie more than you can know

But your memory is in our hearts and feels like a warm glow.

You sat on this hill waiting for us to come home.

Your wait is now over and you are not alone.

Did u meet Wheezer, Chester and Chudley at heavens door?

Or are you absorbed into the universe, no one knows for sure.

All that we know is that we were blessed to have you for a while.

You gave us joy, laughter, lighting our faces up with a smile.

We love you and miss you and know you are at peace.

Giving your ashes back to the earth– your presence we release.