There’s something grounding about owning a pet.
Pets serve as a constant reminder for you to live in the moment. I find this to especially be true with dogs. Whether they’re enjoying a treat, experiencing the world through smells on a walk, or (my favorite) enthusiastically greeting you at the door like you’re their favorite thing in the world, their focus is narrow and wholly given to the current moment.
Owning a dog is a lot of work, but it can give your day a lot of structure. The daily routine of feeding, walking, and caring for your pet takes time and needs to be worked into your schedule. Throughout it all, they act as though there’s no one they’d rather have caring for them.
Today, however, was not so structured and routine. Today we made the very difficult decision that it was time for our dog Charlie to journey to the Rainbow Bridge.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to eye problems, hip dysplasia, and heart disease. The last of those three caught up with him in recent years. What started with a minor heart murmur eventually progressed into significant heart disease. We were fortunate to have several more months with him thanks to medication, but he was no longer comfortable, and it was time.
Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are lap dogs with a sweet, permanent “poor me” face. Charlie was one to a “T”. He always wanted to be with you, and you could count on him nuzzling up between your feet or on your lap. Looking back at family photos, there are so many that included him unintentionally simply because he was always right next to you.
Charlie was my first dog as an adult. He helped my wife and me make our first house a home, proudly welcoming both of our children. Our home is just as much his as it is ours. He inspired a good friend to get a Cavalier King Charles (even though Charlie preferred baseball over soccer). He sometimes made his presence known on video calls when his snoring was loud enough for the microphone to pick it up. He doubled as a vacuum, a skill he perfected during my kids’ toddler years. He’s in the public domain for the rest of human history. And for a short time, he was also a good “big brother”.
He loved all the typical dog activities: belly rubs, walks, trying to catch squirrels and birds in the backyard, naps, especially on the sunny deck. When he was ready to curl up on the couch, he would look at you and give out a bark. This was his way of asking you to lay a blanket down for him. But most of all, he loved being close to us at all times, sharing himself with us.
He slept between my feet on the bed every night for 10 years, and I’ll think of him anytime my ankles are cold.
Charlie, you weren’t just a good boy. You were the best boy. Rest in peace. ♥️
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