My Start In Springers!
Charlie was a once-in-a-lifetime dog. As cliche' as that may sound I do not believe I will ever own another dog like him. As an 11 year old, inexperienced dog owner, let alone competitor, I was able to make every single mistake in the book and still have a teammate to succeed beyond my wildest dreams with.
I exercised Charlie heavy and started agility way too soon- he stayed sound and ran his entire career for 10 years.
He wasn't raised on puppy culture or rigorously socialized to every single sight and sound, yet he could go anywhere and do anything. He loved every single animal, person, child, dog he met, and never escalated or reacted to ANY situation. He was attacked a few times in his life and he would simply run away or just sit there!!! and once the dog was pulled off him he would shake it off and act like nothing happened. He never experienced any major fear periods, was never noise or environmentally sensitive, and I could literally hand his leash to any stranger and he was perfectly happy to be your new best friend.
Charlie is the definition to me what the breed should be. Easy going around strangers & other dogs, charismatic, medium drive, smart, food motivated, goofy, playful, ready for anything and a little bit naughty!!!!
Career
Charlie was a dynamite agility dog, and despite my major lack of experience, numerous corrections and mistakes, he was incredibly patient with me. We very quickly formed a great team and excelled in Agility. We did other sports too but were most content running in the Agility field for 10 wonderful years.
Charlie ended his long agility career with 117 Double Q's, 4 Champion Titles, and over 40 titles in agility alone.
We qualified to go to many AKC agility nationals, but only attended 2, and had such a blast! I could go on about all the things we achieved, but the most important thing Charlie did for me was get me started on the path to my passion, and teach me an endless amount of lessons! What I would do to go back and do it all over again! I am so thankful to have all the wonderful memories with my boy to hold on to forever.
I am so thankful for Keith & Denise for sending Charlie to us! He forever changed my life.
“And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.”
-Maya Angelou
Charlie 8/13/07-2/10/2020