Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Three Wonderful Years of Charlie

Today, October 16, is Charlie's third birthday.



As a puppy, Charlie was a truly devilish little angel. He was perfect in so many ways - never had accidents, never rarely chewed on anything in the house except his own toys and beds. Yet he had razor-sharp puppy teeth and reveled in using them... inside on toys and dog beds, outside on plants and sticks... and anytime on his people. And he had a stubborn streak that, when combined with those teeth, was formidable! "Charlie won't let himself be toweled dry? No problem, wet dog sounds fine with me. Charlie won't go any farther on his walk? Hey, guess we'll just sit here a while."

The only thing that got us through those early days (and, frankly, some of the later ones) was food. Any food, any time. Want dinner in peace? Time for a rawhide chew. Want to clip his nails? No problem with a helper to feed him tidbits. Want him back in the house? "Puppy treats! Come get a puppy treat!"

Now that he's growing up, Charlie is mellowing a bit. He'll allow himself to be toweled without chewing on the toweler. I can sometimes almost clip his nails myself. And he rarely tries to play doggy-rough with me anymore. But to get him back in the house... well, fortunately that "Puppy treats!" trick still works. Usually.

Happy Birthday, Charlie -- it's still fun working out who rules whom!

Charlie at 10 days


1 month old


2 months old


Charlie at 3 months


4 months


Catching treats at 5 months


6 months


Charlie at 1 year


Charlie at 2 years


Charlie on his 3rd birthday


Happy Birthday Big Guy! We love you!


And, p.s. Happy Birthday to Charlie's sister Sophie in Indiana, too!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a sweetheart. Happy birthday. I got all of my dogs as adults so I missed all the cute puppy stages. Well, maybe they all aren't so cute.

Lorenza said...

Hi, Charlie
Happy Happy Birthday!! I hope you are having a great day celebratin with your family!
Thanks for sharing all those pictures of you growing up!
Besos
Lorenza

Julie said...

Happy Birthday, Charlie! You've grown up to be a very handsome young man.

Charlie - The Big Dog said...

HAPPY BARKDAY BUDDY!

Lots of love from your ol pal C$

Kien said...

Oh.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!!.. u sure are a handsome goldie with an angel heart and glad that u are with a family that loves u so so much..

Cheers
Rossi

Lizzy said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!!! Have a great one!

Sparky

L^2 said...

Happy Birthday Charlie!!! We hope you had a wonderful day. :o)

- Willow & Stella

Chloé said...

Happy birthay Charlie!!! I hope that you pass a happy day!!!!

Love Chloe

PD: Are you ready for halloween???

Amber-Mae said...

Happee Barkday to you Charlie!!!! Wow you three already? You are a big boy... Your coat color was lighter when you were younger & your mum is really bootiful! You look like her!

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Thor and Jack said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG GUY!
Hope you had great day! You are very handsome in the pictures. I was look like you, mine almost brother!

Love
Thor

Hammer said...

HAPPY BARKDAY CHARLIE !!!
I hope I'm not too late in wishing you a very happy day. We're a little behind you. You sure sing good too, and you're a real cutie. Tell your mum a Golden is much better behaved than an English Setter. Anyway, Charlie, have a wonderful Barkday. We love you !!!
Love from Hammer, his mum and his family

Sparky said...

Happy Birthday Charlie!!!! Wow! 3 years old. I love your stories about being a puppy...

Ume said...

HAPPEE BELATED BARKDAY, CHARLIE!!!
wooowooowoooooo...

Girl Girl Hamster said...

You're such a handsome dogi Charlie, Hope you had a pawsome birthday. :)

~ Girl girl

Texas's Mum said...

Hey Charlie,
HAPPY BARKDAY to you
it is also my barkday as well
how cool is that we share the same
barkday.

Love and Licks
Texas (and his humans).

Chat Gris said...

You're beautiful!
Happy birthday!
:)

Helios said...

Happy Barkday! My M says I look a little like you! I hope I grow up to be as ham-some!

Maria Cristina Amorim said...

Parabéns Charlie, és lindo.
(Happy Birtkday Charlie, you are beautiful.)

Anonymous said...

CHARLIE!!! Happy Birthday to you!!! You are such a beautiful dog, you were such a gorgeous puppy and now you such a big handsome boy dog!!! You are stunning and sooo talented - I have never met a dog that can sing before and I think you are wonderful! I love reading about you Charlie and I am so happy we are friends.

Luf n hugs

Baby mao xx

Sophie Brador said...

Oh Charlie. I missed your b-day! I was in the clink. My mean mom went away. I'm so glad you had such a great birthday. I totally enjoyed your singing. You are one of the most handsome and talented doggies in blogland. You should join my band.

xo
SB

Sophie Brador said...

P.S. What could be cooler than a sister named Sophie.

Katherine and Pippa said...

Belated greetings - but still meant well.

And what excellent photos of you.

Many happy returns.

Pippa

Freda said...

HAPPYS BARKDAY, Charlies!

Sorrys I missed it. ∆≈'s been doin' dummy stuffs and your big day isn't on the DWB happy stuffs calendar. Sounds like you had a howlin' good times. (I'm barkin' Dad to put your B-Day on his peeps calendar so we don't forgets next times.)

It's soo cooools that you have photos when you were a pups and stuffs. I was 1,2 1,2 four or fives when I adopted my peeps. I don't even have pics of them when they were pups. Too bads. THAT would have be soo funnys.

Are you enjoyin' your new cow chews as much as I am?

Agains, HAPPYS B-DAY.

Wuufs!

Ƨ

Urban Smoothie Read said...

happy belated birthday to u, charlie boy

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

The pic of Mom and the pups...I'm in there too!

I don't know which one - this blog is cool Chuck!

JAKE, your other bro in Indiana...