I just adopted this "baby"

[Clark2008]

His name is Charlie - short for Charleton Tobias. You can't tell it from this picture, but he's emaciated. Bone thin. I can not only feel his bones, but see them.

For those of you who don't know, I lost my Trooper on the day my daughter was born. He had been very ill with a mouth tumor. Dear Husband came home to let the dogs out and found my Trooper bleeding nearly to death from the tumor. So, yes, on the day his daughter was born, hubby took my dog of 15 years to the vet (with my blessing - I knew he was that ill), had him put to sleep, mercifully, took his little body home, dug a grave in our yard and buried him and still made it back to the hospital in time to spend the night with his wife and newborn baby. Good man, he is.

This is my Trooper (in one of his final days - the tumor can be seen poked under his lip):



It's like looking in a mirror back in time - and totally unexpected. I was emailed an alert that a cocker needed a home from http://www.1-800-save-a-pet.com/pet886481-ss.html. The alert came from a neighboring county where "Charleton" needed to be adopted. We called. He'd been moved to my own county's shelter, where he was thus named "Toby." (Now, you see... Charleton Tobias). Hubby took off work and went to get him.

He's at home now and resting with his doggie sisters, Snap and Woo Woo. His human boy and girl have petted and loved him. He's eating, but not too fast (his little belly won't allow it).

Just wanted to share something happy.

:loveya:

[Breeze54]

1. Congratulations!! What a cutie!

I know you'll nurse him back to full health in no time! :D

[AlCzervik]

2. thats wonderful and he does look might lean so it looks like you found him when he really needed you

thanks for haring that.

[Clark2008]

4. His tail's not cropped and I'm debating this.

It's NOT necessary and certainly not something I'd do right away - if at all.

Cocker's have a LOT of hair on their tails, which is hard to trim, that's why they're cropped at birth. This little fella, while full-blooded (I can tell - my family had bred them since before I was born) didn't have his tail cropped.

I'm not sure on this issue... it's not NECESSARY, but it's certainly more cleanly for dogs such as these (who get ears and tail into everything).

What do you think? Anyone?

[mod mom]

8. I think tails help the dog express themselves. I vote no. My heart always breaks

when I see cropped tails. (but I've only had labs, border collies and a cute little terrier mix)

[LisaL]

10. Since it wasn't done when he was little, I would leave it alone.

[Mz Pip]

20. It's gotta hurt

I'd leave his little tail alone. If it gets too fluffy a hair cut is far less painful than a tail amputation.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[StarryNite]

27. Don't crop it.

That poor thing has been through enough. Cropping them at birth is far different than cropping them when they are older.

[RebelOne]

35. Please don't crop it.

I have a Rottweiler who I inherited from a friend. Her tail is cropped in what is called a show cut. But actually she doesn't have much of a tail at all, not even a stub. If it were up to me, I would never allow any dog to have its tail cut off.

[napi21]

3. Charlie looks like a very happy little baby resting comfortably

on your couch. I'm so happy for him AND YOU! It won't take long for him to get back to being a healthy (not skinney) little boy who will forever thank you for giving him a wonderful home.

[Clark2008]

6. That's Trooper...

My other baby, who I lost.

That's the thing... Charlie looks like Trooper reincarnated. Totally.

[napi21]

22. I'm sorry. I thought they were the same little guys. I'm sure

Charlie will be just as happy and relaxed very soon.

I foster Bichons for Small Paws Rescue, and believe me, it's a wonderful thing to see how easy it is to make these little abandoned furballs very happy. A;; they want in life is to find someone to love, and Charlie has found his someone.

[mod mom]

5. Congratulations! Adorable! How old?

I have two BIG babies 80 & 65 lbs from our local animal shelter. My hubbie says 2 dogs are our limit so the kids and I volunteer at the local dog shelter.

Someday, if we all survive bu$h, I want to be one of those crazy ladies with 10 dogs. They bring you so much happiness (and terrible sorrow when they pass).

[Clark2008]

11. I think... not sure... that he's almost a year.

His teeth are awful. I'm going to clean them this weekend, both so he's healthy and so I can tell how old he is. He's obviously been eating garbage.

I have doggie toothpaste and sealant from my Trooper, so that's something I was trained to do, particularly since Troop had a mouth tumor (had to keep his mouth as clean as possible - he lived a year longer than expected as a result).

I also have two big dogs. The shelter made us bring them so they could see how everyone would interact. My 45-pound mutt, Snap, and my 65-pound Golden, Woo Woo, loved him. Now they're all piled up together, sleeping.

[mod mom]

15. I give my dogs apples and carrots. Their teeth are pretty good and they are almost 7 and 5.

I had to move my garden to the roof (flat) because they love veggies so much they would hop the fence around my old garden and help themselves.

A long and healthy life to the new pup! (your children are cute as well!)

[Clark2008]

23. Cockers will eat ANYTHING (as someone mentioned below).

His teeth really need cleaning, though... carrots and bones won't be enough. His teeth really are awful. I need to stop any further degrading. I won't do it until this weekend though, both for time and to allow him to get used to us before I start messing with his mouth. I've already cleaned his sad ears (they were putrid, too).

Luckily, he follows me as a shadow, so I think he'll let me do it. :loveya:

[mitchum]

7. Charlie is a good looking boy...

as was Trooper (rest in peace buddy)

[gateley]

9. Thank you so much for sharing this. In addition to giving Charleton a chance

at life in your loving home, it's a beautiful tribute to your beloved Trooper.

[Clark2008]

13. I took Charlie to see the grave tonight...

He seemed pretty reverent. It was a bonding moment.

[Benhurst]

12. ...

:thumbsup:

[lonestarnot]

14. Ahhhhh. I'm sure you will fatten him up! Congratulations!

[Clark2008]

19. I know we will

They told us not to give him anything but a certain dog food (one I don't like) because he'd have diarrhea. LOL. NOT true. What I've done is feed him a little at a time, let him out to poo, fed him some more, let him out to poo. He's not had runny poo at all!

He just needed some patience. :)


He'll fatten up just fine. I think he's already gained a half pound or so. ;)

[lonestarnot]

24. Slowly fatten him is the best way. He looks like a real sweetie.

[JI7]

16. all 3 of your babies are adorable

[tnlefty]

17. I'm so sorry about Trooper, and I had 2 cockers and he

looks thin to me even though cockers will over eat if allowed! So good of you to take Charlie...I have a teenager named Charlie, would you like to borrow him? Just kidding, he's a great young man!

As for the tail, I'd let the groomer trim it and then trim it at home in between when necessary! Good luck. :hi:

[trashcanistanista]

18. What a cute, proud little pup!

Inside he is screaming with joy that he got such a fabulous home!

[Clark2008]

21. Mighty proud and holding his own.

He's already got my two female (and much bigger) dogs wrapped around his little paw.

[AZBlue]

25. Charlie needed you and you were there for him!

:hug:

Congrats on the newest addition to your family. He's a handsome guy!

[fortyfeetunder]

26. awww, they are both sweet.

Am glad you have a new guy and Toby's glad to be loved again!

[renate]

28. what a cutie!

Congratulations!

Somewhere, Trooper is really happy about this. I'm sure he also appreciates the love you remember him with. :hug:

[lovuian]

29. he's adorable

thanks

[Raine]

30. Awwwwwwwwww

what a sweetheart, just adorable. :-)

[radfringe]

31. congrats!!

tell him he's one lucky dog

[REP]

32. Congratulations!

Charlie is a cutie! Trooper is darling, too, and what a wonderful way to honor his memory by adopting a little sweetie who needs a good, loving home. I know Charlie is going to be very happy with you all!

[Eurobabe]

33. Awww, what a sweet face, good on ya Clark2008!!

:hug: may your home be filled with love and happiness :hi:

Charlie will bring you much joy. I can feel it. He looks like a love bug.

[xchrom]

34. you have adopted an angel and you are a saint.

what a sweet and wonderful thing you have done.