Monday, July 14, 2014

Two Years Together


Some time ago, I read a morning routine post in which the blogger described how she started the day off by cuddling with her dog.  She said that after her husband got out of bed to get ready for work, their small dog would creep up and lay on the vacant pillow.  As they gently woke up, they would stare into each other's eyes, side by side, and every time she pet him she knew her dog was thanking her for having rescued him and for giving him such a wonderful life.  It was a very sweet story.

Here's how it goes in my home: soon after sunrise, Charlie wakes up and pads around the apartment, nosing at my hand and grumbling at me until I take him out to the courtyard for a first pee.  Then, when we get back inside, he jumps up onto the bed and either curls up into a little ball or stretches his full Lab length across the mattress.  On the weekends - or on weekdays if Charlie's roused me before my alarm - I get back into bed and drowsily stroke his fur until it's really time to wake up, at which point Charlie stealthily inches up toward the pillows so he can yawn loudly in my face.  We look into each other's eyes, and I can hear him thinking:
You're welcome.  I rescued you, and everything you do for me is payment for how wonderful I make your life.  You're welcome.  Now, let's get up and you can show me how grateful you are.  I will bother you with my love until you get out of bed.  Okay?  Good. You're welcome.
Happy Gotcha Day, Charlie.  Thank you for rescuing me two years ago!

(See more favorite Charlie posts here: A New AdditionFirst Anniversary, My Dog / My Toddler, Birthday Weekend.)

 photo 866de425-8336-4c63-9efd-1c4dd8bf0e62_zpsafe0d56b.jpg

22 comments:

  1. Happy Gotcha Day Anniversary to Charlie and your best friend, he has a great life because of you! Keep on blogging! Anniversary present? Frosty Paws or trip to a Water Ice or Yogurt place?

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  2. I have dog fever the way some people have baby fever and everything about this made me melt inside. Happy anniversary!

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  3. haha I totally support dog fever - that's what led me to Charlie, without whom I would not have stayed sane since I moved back from London. sometimes your soul tells you when you need a dog.

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  4. we might get a Pucchini from Shake Shack tonight!

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  5. aww this is so sweet! happy anniversary :) xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  6. Sarah | For the Love of ChowJuly 14, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    Happy Gotcha Day! He's gorgeous!

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  7. Georgia ChristakisJuly 14, 2014 at 10:12 AM

    so sweet! can't wait till Peter and I can rescue a pup :)

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  8. This is so, so sweet! Dogs (and any pets for that matter) really do play such an important role in our lives.

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  9. Aw, happy Gotcha Day! Our routine is similar to the blogger you mentioned- husband gets up, the dog takes his place, and we cuddle until it's time for us to get up, and I think of how lucky we are and what a good dog we got. She, for her part, yawns stinky breath and gives little kisses for say good morning. :)

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  10. Well, you know how I feel about animals, but this is too stinking cute. As I've said before, I would get a dog if you could PROMISE me it would be like Charlie :)

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  11. Aww, Charlie looks adorable! He makes me miss my two pups that I grew up with :')

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  12. You know I love this. Such a great picture of Charlie and you!!

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  13. That is so sweet! Awww! I teared up reading what your wrote as Charlie's thoughts. Wow. This reminds me how I should be more appreciative of my dogs. They are such sweet animals. Happy Gotcha Day, Charlie!

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  14. he's been my saving grace without Jon - I'd have been so lonely otherwise!

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  15. there is only one Charlie - but there are lots of sweetiepies out there if you ever feel you need one in your life!

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  16. awww! think of them and squish them in your heart :)

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  17. haha I think my dog has some cat attitudes and your cat has some dog attitudes!

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  18. yay thank you - it was taken two years ago but the photographer's website isn't up anymore and I have no idea how to find her! Her name is Lauren and she's based near Annapolis, MD.

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  19. haha Charlie makes sure I appreciate him every day :P and I know he appreciates all of us, too - his wiggles when I come home makes that clear!

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