Charlotte

A dedication to a friend…..

Charlotte (cross Labrador/Sheep) came to us when she was approximately six months old.  We adopted her from Save a Pet, according to the wonderful volunteers who find and save abused and neglected dogs, when they rescued Charlotte she was very small, in an appalling condition,  covered in mange, her tail had been broken and she was so badly malnourished, in fact she didn’t really know how to eat properly.  In other words she was a pathetic mess.  

Organizations like Save a Pet, Port Elizabeth Animal Rescue (PEAR) are to be commended for their wonderful work, dedication, love and care.  Through their efforts countless dogs are spared and saved.  Their patience and dedication ensured that  she was treated for mange, was given proper nourishment and as a result started improving.

George and I went to see her at Save a Pet and we decided (problems and all) we would adopt her, make her feel safe, comfortable and wanted.

However we soon realized that the serious nature of the physical abuse had a severe impact on her psyche and as a result she was emotionally scarred for life. 

Believe it or not she managed to complete a few obedience training courses.  She was very good at obeying most commands; however we just could not get her to control the need to bark incessantly at people who came to visit.  I often think it was intended as a very clear warning to our guests:  “Back off now and don’t come too close to my pack”.  Joining our family meant that she was part of a pack of two dogs and three cats, she soon established her position as “leader of the pack” often resulting in some hilarious moments. 

I taught Charlotte to swim – she loved it, however our swimming adventures were short lived, while she really enjoyed water, she hated being with other people and as a result would flatly refuse to get out of the car.  Yes, I know I should have forced the issue – I’ll admit to being a softy!

Driving home from the beach Charlotte and I would listen to music. Neil Diamond’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull was a firm favourite.   I loved those moments – just a woman and her faithful companion, a dog named Charlotte trying to make sense of a sometimes cruel and unkind world.

“Lost

On a painted sky

Where the clouds are hung

For the poet’s eye

You may find him

If you may find him

There on a distant shore

By the wings of dreams

Through an open door 

You may know him

If you may 

Be 

As a page that aches for a word

Which speaks on a theme that is timeless

While the Sun God will make for your day

Sing

As song in search of a voice that is silent 

And the one God will make for your way

And we dance to a whispered voice

Overheard by the soul

Undertook by the heart

And you may know it

While the sand

Would become the stone

Which began the spark

Turned to living bone

Holy, Holy

Sanctus, Sanctus

Be

Those moments with Charlotte and Niel Diamond, were significant and deeply transforming as this was the beginning of a wonderful spiritual journey.

 If the truth be told Charlotte rescued me in so many ways.  Her oddly quirky behaviour made me examine and remedy some of my idiosyncrasies, fears and insecurities.

Charlotte loved and guarded me body, heart and soul!  In her mind I was her one and only. She would growl at anyone, including George, warning them to keep their distance and not to come too close to me. I was her “everything”.

The trauma of Charlotte’s early life resulted in hip dysplasia that just got progressively worse, as a result she started losing the use of her back legs, she was in constant pain and on Tuesday she stopped eating.  

We paid her a kindness and released her. 

Albert Camus said: “I have a very old and very faithful attachment for dogs.  I like them because they always forgive.”

We are deeply grateful to have known and loved a dog like you, Charlotte. Fly free…