I couldn’t decide what to name this post. “You’ve Come A Long Way Charlie” or “Humans Make Me Sick To My Stomach”
I volunteer for a Cocker Spaniel Rescue – Shorewood Cocker Rescue here in S Wisconsin. Charlie is our 3rd foster. Remember Katie? (we ended up falling in love and added her to our little pack)
Then there was Harvey. He found a home with previous adopters from the rescue. From seeing him recently he is being well fed. (sadly, over fed)
Anywho… back to Charlie…
Charlie showed up as a stray at a shelter this summer. He was then seized by the shelter as a neglect case. (the owner actually came to claim him) He was so badly emaciated and matted he couldn’t be shaved without sedation. He was thought to be around 5 yrs. old by the initial appearance.
We were asked if we could take in another foster.
June 2013
I was shown his photo and said we will absolutely take him in.
Absolutely…
So on July 22nd we welcomed Charlie to our little farm.
July 22nd
Keep in mind that when I took these photos, he had already gained weight as he had been getting fed for a month.
Let’s rewind a little here…
Charlie wasn’t neutered (of course). He was micro chipped. However, the owner hadn’t bothered to register it. With a little detective work, one of our lovely volunteers was able to pin down some numbers and found that he had been registered with the AKC with the micro chip info. Now we know he is only 1 yr. 4 mos. old…
So let’s see here…you obliviously intended to breed this dog but, didn’t feel feeding or caring for him was a priority??? Shame on you. Shame on you.
The shelter vet decided to undertake the neutering as he had to be shaved down under sedation, anyway.
So July 22nd, we have Charlie. Thin, thin Charlie. Medicating his skin infections, Charlie. Very much a puppy Charlie.
Not surprisingly, very timid of my husband. But, surprisingly loves a human touch.
You can see it in his eyes.
It’s now almost 2 months later. Imagine having a 10 week old puppy in the body of a year old dog. No housetraining…no training at all.
Tuckered out after a roll in something “fresh” and finding out that pine cones are fun to throw in the air.
Funny what feeding a dog can do…
Begging from Grandpa.
Funny what loving a dog can do…
Funny what play time and socialization can do.
All I can say is…
…you’ve come a long way Charlie.
Until next time…Appy Trails 
p.s. I do love a makeover.
Wow. I own two rescued cockers, and it’s amazing their transformation. I still occasionally see that broken sick dog, not when they are running around, chasing birds, snoring on *my* side of the bed I always let them sleep on, but when I rub my dog and I feel his scars where matted hair ripped his skin, or how she squirms when I clean her ears, probably remembering when she had to have her ears cleaned 3x a day, and I would pull out clumps of blood and pus….
Charlie is so lucky to have been found and is being taken care of.
I’m so happy that he was found. I often think how did he escape? Maybe a concerned neighbor helped? We will never know. Isn’t unconditional love amazing? 🙂
Hurray for beautiful people like you who help rehab these beautiful babies! I would love to adopt him…..
I saw your comment on Jan’s FB page. Sounds like you know the adoption process pretty well! 😉
What a transformation from a sickly hairless dog, to Handsome Charlie !!!! Great job, Tucker Family !!! Hopefully he will find the forever home he deserves.
Charlie now has a wonderful forever home! ❤