Nine Eleven Rescue Dog Finds a Home
It was September 2001. I had never been around dogs. I had three pure bred cats and a horse. An animal control officer mentioned, in passing, that she had one dog, a yellow lab, to place after the horrific attack.
In passing, I recounted this to my husband. Peter had wanted to do something concrete in the wake of 9.11. When I returned upstairs hours later, Peter said with tears in his eyes, “I want to get the dog”.
It took several calls to coordinate the pick up at the ASPCA on 91st Street. Who knew there would be 12 dogs named Charli in residence there?
“I knew nothing of the enormity of animal rescue.”
I will never forget that moment, that spot in the driveway, when Charli got out of the car calmly, then stopped and looked. “Who are all of you and what do you think of me?” Those were the thoughts I read.
Once in the house, the reality of a large 70lb dog with big feet and big teeth set in. I sat on the floor, and Charli responded by charging and humping me. He scared me further by not wanting to sleep on the floor, but throwing himself up and onto the bed.
The dog trainer came the next day. We found the lesson rote and annoying since it was directed at us, rather than Charli. Plus, Charli listened to everything the trainer said, even though he kept calling him Sam.
On the third day, as I made the turn towards the door with Charli on his leash, his big head looked up and back at me. “I need you to lead,” were the thoughts I read.
Charli our first rescue dog will always be remembered
On the fourth day, the news replayed the Towers imploding. I cried for Charli and his loss and every time I saw it after that, I mourned for him and for his owner, who, I was told had little, lost everything and gave me, who had so much , this gift I did not know existed.
Never one for displays of public emotion, my smile was broad every time I walked Charli. In a town full of dogs children flocked to his large block lab/coonhound head. Adults stopped and smiled.
Charli passed suddenly in January 2006. Now, it was my turn to implode.
But, I had to stay strong because, before his passing, he inspired me to rescue Diego, Camden , Bro D, Trooper and his first sibling, Molly. Each has a sad story, each have or had behavior issues, but each have given a gift and pushed us deeper into the world of dog rescue.. Just like Charles.
Charli is buried along side the spot where he first stepped out to meet us and change our lives forever. We have had as many as 9 dogs at one time, rescued several cats and three horses.
All this because of an ordinary, everyday dog.
Editors Note: Charli passed because he developed Bloat and Joan will be writing more about this in future posts. She will also share some stories about her other rescue dogs. -Cheryl
