The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI cleaned out 400 out of 1,700 saved emails last night. While doing so, I found this from about 10 years ago.
My wife typed this up about our dog back around 2016. Then she emailed it to me. She barely remembers typing this.
It's "Our dog's story". I'll post it below. I think it is sweet and it reminds me of days gone by. All of this seems like yesterday. Where does the time go?
I think this was written about the time when we had our wills drawn up, and this may be a supplement to our will (I'd have to dig it out to confirm this) as some information for our friends who would take our dog if we passed before he did.
Our pup was underweight at 14 pounds when we got him. He was 2 years old when he came home with us. When he passed recently, he was a healthy weight at about 30 pounds.
Redactions and name changes are included, but here is what she wrote:
_____________________________________________________________________________
I was born on July 26, 2011, near Rochester, NY. my breeder was a nice woman. (Breeder name redacted).
On August 1, 2013, I was adopted by MomCharms and DadCharms, and and moved to my new home.
I did really well in the car on that first trip home. It took over 3 hours but I was a trooper. My breeder was worried about me and called later that evening to see how I traveled on the way home.
On August 2, 2013, I had my first visit to the veterinary hospital. I only weighed 14 pounds at this visit. I was given a heart worm test and a Lyme vaccine. I was also tested for intestinal parasites and found to have a heavy infestation of round and whip worms. At the advice of the veterinary hospital, MomCharms called my breeder, who was who was adamant that I had been previously wormed.
I was an intact male at the time of purchase, so the Charms family also scheduled my neuter for later that first month in my new home. I had my teeth cleaned. I was also micro-chipped and the Charms family maintains my registry through Home Again.
The local veterinary hospital continues to provide my care. I am up to date on all vaccines and take Sentinel for heart worm prevention. In July 2016, I began to wear a Seresto collar for tick and flea prevention. I had several ticks during the fall of 2015. No problems at all with the collar and no ticks or fleas, either!
I was on a feed purchased through Tractor Supply by the pallet at my first home. Mom and Dad Charms switched me to Wellness brand, small breed adult formula. I adapted well to this food switch. I am fed twice a day and receive one half cup at each feeding. I have water available to me throughout the day but often choose to drink more at the end of the day (after 5:00 pm).
I am not much of a toy guy. At the time of my purchase from the breeder, it appeared I spent a great deal of time outside with many other dogs. There were no toys in sight. My coloring was very diluted, again possibly due to much time outside. My coat has darkened since my time with the Charms family, and has become softer. I have a very full coat.
I am very well behaved. I did go through a period of anxiety during my first month in my new home. I chewed the carpet by the front door. I have not been destructive in any other way.
I respond well to the command, sit. Although I retain the name given to me by my breeder, I did not respond to it initially. I will now come to my name when I am called.
I live to be with my people. I love my Dad but it is my Mom who I follow everywhere. I love when she holds me and will lay in her lap for long periods of time. I sometimes dont know where my people are going and get tangled in feet and legs because I just want to be with them
always.
I am grateful for my fenced in yard. I will lay by the back door if I need to go outside. I will also stand in the doorway and stare at my family until they understand my need to go out.
I have had very few accidents in the Charms home and can go 8 to 9 hours overnight before needing a trip outside.
I am a Sheltie and I do have opinions. I will bark when outside and I do show some herding tendencies by running the fence line.
I am a sensitive guy. I respond to a light touch.
I have not spent much time in the company of children.
I do now have my own dog bed. I have been known to go to bed on my own. I often sleep in the Charms' bed. If not placed in bed, I will sometimes ask to join my people.
I have never jumped up on furniture. I learned how to navigate stairs at my new home.
In October 2016, I began to join DadCharms on daily walks. I never pull and have learned to walk on a loose lead. I wear a harness and ride well in the car. I have walked between two and three miles at a time.
I am polite at the vet. I tolerate my nails being trimmed. MomCharms uses pads to wipe my teeth a few times per week. I do well being brushed and have had several professional groomings by a woman named Jane.
__________________________________________________________
This brought a smile to my face. I hope you enjoyed reading it.
Here is a meme that I made of our dog long ago. I've posted it a few times before, and will post it again now in memory of this wonderful boy dog. He like to be told he was pretty.

UpInArms
(55,711 posts)What a beautiful story 🫂🫂🫂
Niagara
(12,494 posts)And what kind of language is that? You're not old enough to be swearing.
SheltieLover
(83,020 posts)I love Shelties!
waterwatcher123
(580 posts)You might want to preserve this note, so you remember all the details of your relationship with your four-legged friend. Your dog may have departed physically. But he is there with you forever in spirit.
MIButterfly
(3,649 posts)I'm so happy I read this post. It really made me smile and your meme made me laugh out loud!
Thank you, LuckyCharms. Please tell Mrs. Charms she did good.
BeneteauBum
(1,016 posts)Thanks for sharing your pups point of view
..that was delightful.
Peace ☮️
nuxvomica
(14,402 posts)If he saw another dog along the way, he would growl softly but never left my side.
Marthe48
(23,859 posts)My parents had a grocery store, and 2 or 3 dogs that lived locally would come to the service door by the meat department. The ones I remember were a white bulldog, a beagle and an Airedale. My Dad would give them bones that were just right for each size. I remember that Dad wrapped the bone for the white dog and she would carry her package home. The beagle was Barney and the Airedale was Bogie.
My younger brother had to go into a hospital for long-term treatment of a bone disease. He was 7 when he went in. I can't imagine how boring it was for him. That first year, Bogie sent him letters, just short notes from a dog's view. They meant the world to all of us. My brother recovered from the disease, and grew up okay. I'm so glad that Bogie's owner took the time to send a little cheer.
Your wife's letter is a wonderful keepsake
Glad you came across it at this time
MIButterfly
(3,649 posts)Thank you for posting this. You never know what a bit of kindness will do for someone. They just might never forget it.
AllaN01Bear
(30,278 posts)sez awwww!!!!
FakeNoose
(43,317 posts)Like you say, it was probably for his future owners, just in case he should outlive you and Mrs. Charms.
But it's also a great memory jog for both of you, now that he's gone.
Figarosmom
(15,156 posts)And you were lucky to have him. Nice story. Should have it made up into a children's book.
Harker
(18,360 posts)Trueblue Texan
(4,741 posts)Thank you for sharing this part of your life. I hope you are having more good days than sad days. Peace and healing.
enigmania
(510 posts)slightlv
(8,279 posts)Beautiful dog!!! My SiL had a Sheltie, too... and she loved that dog to death. And it was a mutual admiration society! Smart, like a border collie and just as prone to get into "situational mischiefs" from what I understand. My experience was with the Border Collie. I would loved to have met her Sheltie, tho...