Nancy, Ned, and Clancy Plus One

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our beloved English Springer Spaniel, Gordie, passed away suddenly from bloat last summer.  I have been missing him more than ever lately and have taken to haunting websites and looking longingly at every 'Springer looking' doodle I see, either in real life or on-line.  I began showing my husband these pictures - just once in a while, I swear  :-}   He reminded me that we agreed that we would keep our dog pack to two. - kept reminding me - kept reminding me - kept reminding me. . . . 

Helping doodles in need is one of our retirement passions, so Skip and I volunteer with the Doodle Rescue Collective, a nation-wide doodle rescue organization. I greet new members on the DRC website with information about adopting a doodle. I call shelters and visit possible dogs for the rescue; we pull them from those shelters, and transport them to foster homes.  We have visited prospective foster homes, prospective adopter's homes, called vets, and occasionally fostered. 

After wearing out my picture-sharing welcome with Skip, I took my parti-obsession to those who would really understand -- my fellow doodle-obsessed buddies, especially my fellow volunteers,  Early last week I shared  with more fervor than ever!

When I got a call from the  DRC asking if we could check out a doodle needing re-homing in Southern California,  I said sure. They sent pictures.  FATE HAD INTERVENED!  The DRC directors must have been giggling when they sent this to me.  This was kismet!  This was too good to be true.  My parti boy!

 I called the family who wanted the DRC to re-home their doodle. He just wasn't fitting into their current family configuration.  They wanted Charlie to go to a new home where he could get more attention and training than they were able to do.  I could hardly contain my excitement!  I decided we would foster this pup; how could I not!  I think I heard more giggling in the distance.  We scheduled a pick up as quickly as we could!  I didn't want anyone to change their minds.

Skip and I packed up Ned and Clancy and drove to Charlie's home. The humans and dogs met in the front yard.

It was a successful meet-up and we drove Charlie to meet our groomer who offered him a full groom.

It was love at first sight for me! Charlie was just perfect - perfect size, perfect age, perfect temperament, PERFECT coloring.  I know Gordie was looking back across the Rainbow Bridge with approval.

Like most dogs in rescue, Charlie had some parasites, wasn't up to date on his shots, had a couple 'accidents' in the house. He needed some training in our house rules and leash walking.   Simply perfect!

Charlie was meant to be ours.  My rescue gurus knew it as soon as they saw the application.  His previous owners knew it as soon as Charlie met us.  Ned and Clancy knew it as soon as they shared a car ride back to Riverside. My close doodle buddies knew it as soon as I posted about him.  My kids knew it because I couldn't stop gushing about this cutie-pie. My husband knew it - he just tortured me for a day or two before admitting he was head over heels in love with him too. 

Ned, who rarely plays, plays chase with Charlie - around and around the dining table, and tug-of-war with him too! Charlie shares his secrets with Ned.

  

Clancy has taken this little brother under his wing and taught him how to be a great lizard hunter!  Here they are by their favorite lizard finding wall.So I would like to announce that my new 'name' is Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Congratulations!  Charlie, you are one lucky dood! 

[Janet & Jaxson]

A perfect ending to a perfect story! Charlie hit the jackpot. Congratulations to all of you! I wish we were still in Southern California so we could met Charlie at a romp!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Laurie, Charlie is a mix of Fudge and Vern - Fern or Vudge!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you all so much for your congratulations. The website is being temperamental and hasn't let me comment to thank each and every one of you.  It really was meant to be, and I need to thank the DRC gurus for making sure that I was the one  asked to check him out! 

Charlie is probably 3 1/2.  He was first sold to a woman in Hollywood who decided that he 'didn't fit' into her family so she gave him to the man remodeling her home.  The second owner kept him until his family configuration changed.

Raelene, I even checked out sites that  were puppy mills - never to purchase, but just to see the puppy pictures.  Kind of dumb, but I think Gordie was urging me on, wanting me to get back to the number 3.

Jarka, Gordie passed away last summer when we were in our usual camping place. Bloat is not common in Springers, I think (and this is only my opinion) that our car accident the previous year caused increased anxiety, causing him to eat way too fast even with a slo-bowl, and increased his nervous energy activity level.  Charlie does not eat quickly, but he burps when he eats and often when he drinks.  I am keeping an eagle eye on this boy for any signs of discomfort.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

This is so awesome.  Congratulations to your whole family and especially to Charlie on a new great home!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nancy & Skip, This makes me so happy!! Best news ever!!!! I even showed my mom the pictures when I visited today. She DID NOT say Charlie looks like Vern. LOL

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

My heart is just overflowing with love for you and your pack! Such precious boys!!!

[Stella]

Just wonderful :)

[Amy and Annabelle]

Congratulations, he is one beautiful dog. You are lucky to have found each other or to have had a match maker. I saw the name Charlie earlier and wondered if I had missed something. We have been looking for a second one, and want it to be a rescue or rehome.  We haven't looked into DRC, though I have been tempted to apply.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Nancy, I am so happy for you, your doodles and your husband.