This is a love story about how my two wonderful and generous fur babies took care of a small baby cocker spaniel named Charlotte. From the moment the girls brought her into our lives we all opened our hearts to little Charlotte. At 2lbs & 4oz she was a sweetheart. It started with all that sniffing stuff that dogs do to one another when they are meeting for the 1st time. Kc and Star are each about 45lbs. In the world of boxers that is not huge, but the comparison to Charlotte was.  Charlotte would follow them outside and soon she was jumping and biting them with no fear. In fact she terrified Kc my male boxer but he always chose to stay close to her. Star my wild girl was so happy to have someone new to play with. I had to hold her back because she is so powerful. Games with her were more about Charlotte biting her face, legs, and any part of her body she get her baby teeth into.

Nights were the “most” fun for all of us. My husband is so blessed to have the ability to go to bed, fall asleep, and wake up in the morning, no matter what is going on in our bed. That means Kc, Star, and Charlotte all trying to sleep together on me. I started out with a lovely den my friend Nicole had brought over for Charlotte’s use. That was a great idea, but Charlotte was having no part in being anywhere but in my arms at bedtime. I would put all three of these fur babies to bed in their own pen. Night-night and then they would start. Charlotte started with crying and banging on her cage door. I would eventually pick her up and put her in my arms where she would fall asleep in minutes. I’d have to lay her down on the pillow with me so she could lie up against my neck. Now she feels safe and can sleep. I’m starting to fall off to sleep myself when the moaning begins from Star. What a loud mouth that girl is, and relentless too. You all know what follows next; Star and Kc are now in bed with me too. Star wants to smell the puppy etc. Parts of caring for a dog you are fostering is difficult. For me it wasn’t the attachment issue either. It was the care and concern that didn’t allow much sleep for me. It still was a very worthwhile experience for all of us. The difficult part came when Charlotte was no longer here. Kc and Star refused to come up to bed the 1st night she was gone. Instead they laid on their bed downstairs with the 2 toys Charlotte made hers while staying with us. Both were very sad at Charlotte’s departure. They kept waiting for her to come back. Finally I dragged the toys upstairs, bribed them with treats they came up to bed. Not their own, but Mommy’s. They did need comfort and extra TLC. This behavior continued for a few days, but I glad to report they are back to being just the two of them, without waiting for Charlotte’s return.

We received an email from Charlotte’s new family with several photos of her. I called Kc & Star over to my computer to show them the pictures. I think they knew it was her. This is them looking at the screen on my computer… How cute are these boxers?!!!

(You can see updates about Charlotte on our fan page at www.facebook.com/reikifurbabies )