Charlie Takes Over the Apartment

Waiting for Mike to come home

We knew the day would come...Charlie has officially taken over our apartment! We came home to find him lying on the back of the love seat the other day. He had discovered it to be a wonderful place to spot passing dogs and their owners. I can only imagine the yipping and yapping during our absence. He also loves to lie there and wait for us to come home.


He has made his presence known in many ways: toys strewn throughout our home, dashing out the outside door when it's opened, sneaking into the bathroom to investigate the litter box (ewww), finding his favorite sleeping spots and spying-on-the-cat places. He and Munchie have been in the same room at the same time for the past couple of weeks now, without incident. The only time he really takes exception is when Munchie sniffs his dog bed; the only thing Munchie doesn't like is when Charlie curls up on the bed beside Mike. 


We have moved the furniture lately, and Charlie has discovered the joy of my new rocking chair, too. We vie for the seat now. He usually wins, since there's also a couch and love seat for me to sit on (and besides, he looks so CUTE sitting there!)

Charlie the Cute Dog on my rocking chair

He also leaves little "love offerings" - no, not the negative kind, just sweet little things. Toys in your shoe, little chewie bones between couch cushions, placing a toy on Mike's foot when he is at the computer, stuffed toys on the kitchen floor, things like that. We get a kick out of it. He really feels at home now, and shows it in every way.

We've learned to watch where we step (there's quite a "squeaker" on several of his toys!),  to pet him and give him attention while watching TV, to interrupt our use of the computer or while I knit, to take him outside or just rub his ears and jaw (he really likes that). Mike sings and does a little dance with him (I really have to get that on camera one of these days) and I talk to him...a lot...while working around the kitchen or cleaning up the place.

He's not fussy about the vacuum, but he has a reprieve. It's given up the ghost temporarily so we also have the pleasure of little tufts of black hair everywhere. It helps that he loves being brushed (another form of attention?) but I can't keep up with it! The joy of a long-haired dog! Now we have orange and white fur from Munchie AND black tufts from Charlie. *Joy*.

He is Mike's navigator when they come pick me up. Mike's talking about bringing him to work with him on his security job to keep him company - once Charlie settles down a bit, of course. They are devoted to each other, and nothing could make me happier. Charlie is my daytime buddy and he's Mike's night-time companion. Works out well all the way around! 

Yes, he's part of our lives now, and we are delighted with the little dog who was once hiding, overwhelmed, in the back of a cage and who now runs our home. Like Mike says, he really is "The best investment we ever made!"

"Love offering" in my walkies shoe