Horner House Happiness!: In Memory of Charlie (9/6/07- 9/12/08)

We lost a member of our family on Friday. Our crazy dog, Charlie. We have all had a very tough weekend coping with the loss of him. Our house seems so different now, it's actually very quiet. Charlie's best friend was Henry. They have been together, constantly together, since they were 5 weeks old, born only 2 days apart. Only away from one another for an hour here and there for groomings. We bought them at a pet store last November as an early Christmas present for Greta and Atticus. They were in the same kennel because they were so tiny. I was leaning towards Charlie and Dusty was leaning towards Henry. Greta responded that she did not want the black or even the white dog, she wanted BOTH. Not that we get Greta everything she wants, BUT, it was pulling at our heart strings. Everytime we took one out to play, the other one cried. We felt bad seperating them and ended up taking them both home that night. Greta got her wish. It was actually very easy training them and they never once cried or whimpered at night. They loved each other and were inseperable. They could not pee alone, eat alone, sleep alone, etc. Charlie waited for Henry before he did anything. They even slept on top of each other or touching one another most of the time. We found it strange, but cute. They loved to play outside as well as wrestle in the house. We constantly yelled, "Dogs, Stop!" Charlie was the playful guy and always motivated Henry to wake up and play. They had their fill of chasing rabbits, birds and chipmunks as well as digging holes and rolling in mud puddes. Typical farm dogs, just tiny ones! Charlie was also a licker, a crazy neurotic licker. I told Dusty several times that he had anxiety and could use a xanax or two. He was never calm and cool like Henry. Always licking, always wanting to cuddle, and always showing his affection for us. He LOVED Greta and Atticus and would let them man-handle him in any way. Atticus LOVED Charlie, I always said Charlie was his. Charlie got the biggest smiles every morning from Atticus, I am going to miss that. I can go on and on obviously. I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. We are truly going to miss that crazy dog. We think the hardest part is seeing Henry now. He's lost and depressed and does not know quite what to do. Charlie was the leader. We are afraid to leave Henry alone now. We know how much we miss him, cannot even imagine what Henry is feeling. Greta learned about heaven for the first time and is still pondering the whole concept. Atticus still searches for Charlie now and then. It's sad. We'll forever miss you Charlie. We use to say it jokingly all the time, but now the phrase will forever remind us of him, "Sorry, Charlie."

Best buds, Charlie and Henry.