Charlie Grows Up

Charlie Fuzzy Duck after  his bath 

 Isn't it funny how a dog can  make a home? in our second year of life with Charlie, it's unimaginable to envision ourselves without him. We have decided not to vacation for the time-being unless we can take him with  us. It's all part of dog ownership, especially when your furry friend decides you are the only family he wants.

Charlie's skittishness with other humans continues. We've figured it is partly because he is so BUSY outside, sniffing every leaf and blade of grass, and also because other humans don't have 4 legs so they are of no consequence. He permits other dogs to sniff him, standing very still until the introductions are made and then it's time for play!

Doxies possess 6 different personality traits:

1. Hunting and tracking
2. Digging
3. Born athletes
4. Being hams
5. Loyalty
6. Intelligence

Cocker Spaniels are:

• Loyal
• Intelligent
• Sociable
• Happy
• Loving

So what we have in Charlie is a sociable, loving, happy little man who enjoys playing, clowning around and who is endearingly loyal. Add intelligence to the mix and you can see why he's such a part of our family.

Most dog lovers will describe their breed as the best or the smartest. We would argue that doxies stand in a class all their own. I have previously owned poodle and poodle/terrier mixes and these breeds are also loyal, intelligent and sensitive. But a doxie is a dog that has to be experienced to be believed. Add in the warm and cuddly Cocker Spaniel into the mix and you have the "Docker," like Charlie.

We simply love this little guy, shedding or not. And he loves us. ls that not what it's all about? Can't wait to get Charlie a "pet" to love :) Probably another doxie, if we are lucky.

Relaxing after bath time

Charlie: A Dog for All Seasons

                                             

Relaxed before his bath

It's almost impossible to believe that Charlie has been with us for over a year now, but then again, it's difficult to imagine life without him, too! He loves being told he's a "good boy" and he really is!

And yes, dogs do learn new tricks:

• He's learned to be annoying in the kitchen: jumping up and banging the cupboard door when I am preparing dinner or snacks. 
• He's also learned that it's ok to sit with his head on my knee when I am eating something in the living room because he will eventually get either a left-over or the plate to lick if he is patient.    
• Charlie has discovered that if he pesters dad at the computer he will get picked up and can lie on dad's lap, but if he comes to me, he puts his head on my foot, noses me or stands with his paw on my knee, and once I pet him and tell him he's good, he happily goes to play.
• He's discovered the joy of all  his squeaky toys, especially when it comes to bedtime and squeaking like mad before he falls asleep.
• He's found out that it's comfy squashed between us in bed and giving me a kiss before falling asleep, but dad would rather have a loving look than a kiss, thank you very much :)    
• He's good at "riding shotgun" in the car with dad, loving the feel of the breeze as it rushes over his face, but then he also enjoys lying on the floor on the passenger side of the car when he's had enough of the wind. He also loves 'helping' to pick me up when dad gives me a ride home after work.
• He has an amazing sense of smell and can "truffle snout" his way around the entire outside of the apartment complex, ignoring everyone who says "Hi, Charlie" except Ashley.
• Things do smell just as good the second, third and fourth time you discover a scent!
• He enjoys walking at heel with mom and taking dad for walks with the longer leash. All that training finally paid off!
• He is very vigilant and careful when "walking mom" when it's dark outside, even going so far as to growl if he doesn't know someone. This is new!   
• He's found that this apartment is simply not big enough to hide all his rawhide chews. He has no idea why we laugh at him when he tries so hard to conceal a chew in his mouth before hiding it (it looks like tusks!).
• He's a playing machine! He loves tearing around the apartment like a loony pup,up and down and off the bed and couch and around again. Especially when mom's playing the "rawrrrr" game, chasing him until we're both panting.
• He and Munchie kiss when he goes outside and comes back in again (probably because Munchie knows he will get a treat) and they sometimes headbutt and kiss just because. Also new.

Consider getting your own furry forever friend through animal adoption or even consider fostering a pet if you have time and room to do so. You won't be sorry, but remember, a forever friend IS forever!

Wired for sound after his bath (but loving it)

Bath-Time for Charlie

It's fall, and Charlie's hair is growing back into the wavy Cocker Spaniel hair that he had when we first adopted him in spring. During the summer, it brushed out, leaving his dachsie-like short hair, which was great for keeping clean and meant that we didn't have to vacuum the floor as often. Now, not so much. So once again, it was bath-time for Charlie.

Before bath-time                                                 

Bath time with Charlie is very much like bath time with any 'child' - it's all in the preparation and timing! I start by running the water in the tub (Mr.Curious has to peek in before he runs away). Then we take off his collar (he doesn't like that - it's HIS collar...what are we doing??). And then the fun really begins.

This time Mike was awake to catch the action and we have never laughed so hard as when we tried to capture the blur that was Charlie, in action.

Step 1 - wetting and soaping Charlie

I like to  use gallon jugs to wet and rinse Charlie - and if I keep the water running, it doesn't freak him when I have to replenish water in the jugs to wash the soap off. Here he is, after his first shampoo - being a 'good dog.'

Step 2: Washing out the rest of the shampoo

Charlie doesn't really mind this step - as you can see by his face. I support his chin so I can control the flow of the water. I try keep it out of his nose and eyes. I usually repeat this step a couple of times.

He knows he's a good boy, but he loves to hear it

Charlie enjoys his cuddle

Then it's his favorite time, shaking himself silly and scootching around the living room, trying to get totally dry. Anyone who has a pet KNOWS this step, intimately! It's a wonder Mike could take any photos, we were laughing so hard at this point. No, never AT Charlie, but definite with him as he played the clown. Bath-time was done for another couple of months, and Charlie could relax. Is he ever proud when everyone tells him how soft and handsome he is, his hair gleaming in the sunshine! It's almost worth the effort :)

Sliding around on his side

Resting before another scootch

Clean Charlie - after the bath

Charlie's Olympics

Charlie's Olympics

Dreaming of fame as he waits for the Wrestling or Reverse Chase Events?

With the end of the Olympics, it's become evident that we have had some Olympic-qualifying events going on in our home and we didn't even realize it. Here, in a humorous vein, are events or accomplishments that should be included in the next Games. Please take note <ahem>:

Munchie, his greatest competitor on the course

1. The Reverse Chase. Charlie begins the course with a taunting and teasing of Munchie, only to have Munchie finally begin to walk away in disgust. In a surprise move, he tugs on Munchie's tail which causes our cat to suddenly reverse direction and the chase in on! It's an epic course - over couches, under coffee tables, around toy obstacles, through Munchie's tunnel and into furniture (ouch) before things calm down. Ah, but once you think it's done, it's Charlie in pursuit of Munchie, who does the smart cat thing: He climbs his cat tree and sits there eating treats, smugly looking down on Charlie! The winner of the gold has yet to be determined. [This looks like the Steeplechase event, with the obstacles changing on a daily basis]
2. The Toy Throw. Charlie's favorite night-time game is to bring his favorite toy and place it ON your foot. He stands there, staring until you finally look down. Let the games begin! When you slide his toy on the floor, he slides after it, trying to get it before it hits a wall or the door. He brings it back, waiting patiently for you to do it again (if you don't respond, he pokes your bare leg with his wet little nose, or gently nibbles at you until you play the game). This continues until he finds another interest, hits the food bowl or plops down to go to sleep.
3. The Throw & Cuddle. This is a new event in our home. Charlie has begun to throw himself backwards onto the crook of your arm when you are seated on the couch, to have his belly rubbed and have you cuddle him. If you ignore him, he stands on your lap and stares you in the face, catching you with a quick tongue if you are not quick enough to escape. Munchie finds this disgusting, and gives it a "0", but who is he to judge, when he is the master of the Insistent Nudge?
4. The Insistent Nudge. This is Munchie's premier coup. When he wants attention he will either stand on the computer desk and nudge you, weave through your legs and nudge (or nip you) until you give him attention, or silently steal your seat and wait for you to make the "ACK" noise as you try to avoid sitting on him. He also has been known to emit a loud "MAAA!" to get your attention and attempt to make you levitate off the bed.
5. Running in Circles (aka Laps). When Charlie gets excited, I would challenge any Olympiad to match him for laps! Ears waving, eyes wild, tongue hanging out of his mouth, he runs in circles at the end of his tether until we either laugh so hard we have to sit down, or until he is done and plops on the ground. Sometimes a team event with his friends Abby or Duchess. He prefers this because the leashes get tangled and he may have the opportunity to escape.
6. Hurdles. Charlie can leap over or onto pretty much everything in the house, except the cat tree. He is still in training. His forte: Levitation for 5 or more feet as he jumps from the foot of the bed in pursuit of Munchie (often followed by the Reverse Chase). His downfall: Crashing into Mom's legs with an oomph when he's looking behind himself instead of looking where he's going! His triumph: This doesn't stop him at all as he changes course and chases Munchie.
7. The Bark and Talk. While other dogs rush the window to bark, when Charlie is shushed, he is working at dialogue with his humans. He "talks" with different pitches   and sounds to get his meaning across, and has been known to stealthily creep across the floor to poke his nose through a window slat before emitting a loud "BARK" that reaches approximately 2 decibels. Often followed by Hurdles as Charlie tries his own Great Escape. I wonder how he would do on that TV show??
8. The Sneaky Tongue. We never know how long Charlie's tongue was until we witnessed him standing on the floor, trying to sneak his tongue sideways into our dinner plate one evening. This may not be an Olympic Event, but it's worthy of any spy - a real covert affair. Maxwell Smart, eat your heart out!
9. The Tail Chase. This event has only occurred once or twice since we adopted Charlie, but it is worthy of any greyhound or horse racing event. When he chases his tail, his solid little dachsie body contorts to resemble a doughnut as he spins, first slowly then ever so quickly to catch that elusive tail. He caught it once...and had no idea what to do with it! I can only imagine that many dogs would enjoy competing in this event. He is currently training with Munchie by use of The Reverse Chase.
10. Wrestling. His favorite Olympic Event. He waits for you to catch him on the bed, and flips over to wrap his paws around your arm. Emitting sounds (much like a bear) he wrestles you for possession of your limbs. When you flip him over and press him down again, he loves nothing more than to take your hand in his mouth and suck on it. Well, maybe that's not the best idea for an Olympic event, but he sure loves it! Also takes place on the couch, the floor, the chair....

Charlie the Champion at rest (or is he just waiting for the next Throw & Cuddle?)

Charlie's Split Personality Problem

Charlie in "Play" mode

Lately, we've been noticing a change in Charlie's personality. He's beginning to shy away from some people, even folks he previously greeted with enthusiasm. In discussing this with other dog parents in our community, we  reluctantly agree that he is growing up. He still happily greets his favorite people, especially the dog-owners he got to know and love when we first adopted him, but he won't approach strangers or people he fails to recognize. And he won't go to anyone who has anything in their hands.

Not unlike babies. who enthusiastically gurgle and goo, smiling at everyone they see when they are infants, once they reach 18 months of age or so, most "play shy," recognizing individual features and faces. I think Charlie has reached that stage of development.


When we adopted him, he was so starved for affection that he loved everyone. He rushed to greet the world with wagging tail and a big smile. Now, he realizes where home is, he recognizes us as his family, and things have changed. He's not fearful, just wary. And being part dachsie, he is also very, very stubborn. You can't FORCE him to like someone, or to go against his grain and even accept their pats. Really, you shouldn't force a pet to go against their instincts like that because they may even bite or snarl, and we don't want to start that reaction.


As our neighbor said, maybe it's a good thing in some ways. You don't want him to go to just anyone. I still have to figure out how, but I guess that there is his safety factor to consider. So I suppose the "running away to join the circus" or whatever is now out of the picture.


He and Munchie are now closer, too. At least as close as protagonist-friends can be. Charlie gets so excited when Munchie goes by, and Munchie waits for his playful attack. If Charlie makes a move and Munchie doesn't react, then Charlie will even go so far as to tug at Munchie's tail! THEN he gets his reaction and cat and dog are chasing each other around the apartment. He darts, he teases, and Munchie watches, tail swinging. Then, once the opportunity presents itself, Munchie swipes at Charlie and the chase is on! They are even sleeping in the same bed occasionally, which is a true miracle that we never thought we would see.

Charlie's also starting to vocalize a lot more. I don't mean bark, I mean "rawr rawr" with definite intonations, like he is trying to talk to us! It's really obvious, especially when we are on the computer and he is on "his" chair beside us. Maybe he wants to get onto Facebook to chat with Buster or Chewie, or maybe he just wants our undivided attention, but whatever the case, quite often it's followed by nibbly ticklish pokes to my legs or Mike's ankles. That gets him his attention! He also "talks" to Munchie a lot. Munchie has lately taken to answering with small growls and yowls of his own. The place is like a zoo sometimes: yapping and yowling, bodies flying across the floor. We wouldn't have it any other way.

I have read that Dachsie's are tenacious, stubborn, insistent canines, and I can't argue with that. But if Charlie is any indication, he's also strong, independent, loving and very affectionate. With that comes a strong protective instinct. 

He's still the best "investment" we ever made, and any love we give him is returned tenfold. Once again, all I can do is urge you to visit your latest shelter and adopt a little chatty friend of your own. Life is sure never dull in our household, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Note: Our pet daddy friend, Buster's owner, laughed when I told him about the vocalizing: he said maybe Charlie would be the type to "sing" and play the keyboard. Dang, I knew there was a reason I wanted a stool for my keyboard! America's Got Talent, here we come!