An empty house…….
A lonely house…….
A house without a loved one… a companion… a friend…an emotional support , devoid of what makes a house a home.
BUT———-now there’s Charlie , and living is sweeter.
After a life filled with more blessings than I can ever list , I lost the only man I ever loved and nothing can change that or make it better. But I also lost Gracie , our sweet rescue Cocker , who had made our life complete.
No husband———no dog——-nothing to fill the empty spaces.
Sometime following Byron’s death , I put the word out that I was looking for another ” ole soul “, preferably a Cocker , but , certainly , a dog with a sweet personality , who was house-broken and obedient.
Months went by with many , many friends reaching out , giving me suggestions , referring me to far-away rescue groups , and , in general , trying to help. And I was grateful.
Among those who cared was the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter and therein lies the happy ending.
A Facebook friend posted a picture of a skinny , matted stray who was being housed at the Shelter. Simultaneously , as I reached out , Jeremiah , Shelter Director , reached out to me . Our messages crossed.
His said, ” Thought about you ” !!!!!!!!!!
So special for him , with all his challenges , to remember that this one lady across town was looking for a friend. What more could a girl ask for ?
Took me back some 12 years ago . Gracie was a gift to us because Lavonia Animal Hospital and Judy from Hart Rescue contacted us when she was found , lost and lonely.
And now our very own Shelter has gifted me a Charlie boy , so named for my Byron ( Charles Byron Toney ).
Charlie is a sweetheart : a doodle who weighed less than 20 lbs. when rescued , whose hair was so badly matted that the groomer literally skinned him , who knows his commands , who is totally house-broken , who goes to bed in the sun room at 9:30 pm and nary a peep until I get him up the next morning. And I have a new friend…………………………
My heart is full , thinking of so many who kept me in mind and offered suggestions for a new companion.
A special thank you to Pat, Jason, and Kim at Lavonia Animal Hospital for all these years of friendship—–and now to Jeremiah and the employees/volunteers at Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter for caring , remembering , and reaching out.
Charlie ( and the Shelter ) for the win…………………
This is so sweet.. made me cry happy tears! I can’t wait to meet Charlie💙and I am so thankful he found you!!
Thank you. I do believe he is just what I need to help the healing process. And you must meet him sometime………….
I’m crying happy tears now, too! 🥰
I’m so thankful you found each other. I believe he needs you as much as you need him — separate puzzle pieces each shaped by their own life passages until they fit together perfectly. God is good and sometimes uses good people in your life to deliver some of His sweetest blessings! Welcome home, Charlie!
You say it so well. Thank you.
So glad you have Charlie. What a blessing and companion for you!!!
Amen to that . He is a sweetie. Just waiting on his hair to grow. He’s gained 3 or 4 lbs already so his bones are not sticking out so badly.
Grown children and grandchildren are always a help but the day to day life can be difficult. Always better with a companion. 4 legs and half to brush and talk to. So thankful you have someone near to keep you company.
You are so right. Although he’s house broken and well behaved, I still have to get up and move around. And I need that. I needed a few months’ rest following the sad months with Byron, but now I need a purpose. And Charlie is it !
So glad you have Charlie!
Thank you. My home is not quite as empty.
Charlie may already sense it…. he could not be more fortunate. Sad that any animal needs to be rescued. How redemptive to be wanted!! A modern day parable and a win-win.
I hope we both are blessed. I’ve had him about 10 days now, and although nothing can ever replace Byron and our 65 years together, Charlie does fill a different void. Thank you for your wise words. Wish I could visit with you again …………
Happy news! So happy that you have Charlie!
Thanks. He’s no Gracie but he’s a sweetheart, well-behaved and obedient. Just want his hair to grow …………..
Welcome to your new home Charlie. You are going to get lots of love.
Amen to that !!!!
Follow-up Comment: I pulled up behind a bumper-sticker ladened car. Multiple messages made it clear I was behind a pet lover. The sticker that made me think of your post and you read “Who Rescued Who?” It can go both ways, for sure. It made me smiie.
And that says it all !!!! Although his energy is boundless, he obeys the commands, so it can be halted. And he loves his naps . We are quite a pair———–and that truism is right on. Life is indeed precious.
Having a sweet face to greet you every time you enter a room is very healing!!! This is such great news.
Love from Mississippi,
Ruth
Looking forward to a lunch visit in the next couple of weeks…..