My Little Boy Charlie

by Andrea
(Billings, MT)

When I walked into the shelter, I had every intention of adopting a large dog, like the rottweiler next to you. But I couldn't take my eyes off you. When I asked to see you in the courtyard, you came straight to me and put your chin on my lap. I knew you were the perfect dog for me.

I grew up with dogs, but you were my first dog and I couldn't have asked for a better one. You were quirky, funny, loved to hike and cuddle. You were my shadow and my confidant. I never cried long before you trotted right over to comfort me. You were there for every bad grade, for my graduation, for new jobs, for break-ups, for my first house, for my engagement.

Everybody who met you would say that they had never seen such devotion, such adoration from a dog before. You'd lost a few steps over the years, but never your loyalty.

It's surreal that I'm talking about you in the past tense. I still can't believe you slipped down the cliff. It seemed like slow motion as we tried to save you. We just couldn't get to you. I can't tell you how horrifying it was to watch you drown and not be able to do anything about it. We couldn't even recover your body.

I'm so sorry, Charlie. I hope you can forgive us. It's been so hard without you. I wish so much that I could go back in time and stop you from falling. I feel like I'll never stop crying. I love you and I hope that you are the first one to great me when I get to Heaven someday.