Pet’s name: Charlie

Age: 6

Breed: Cavalier King Charles

Gender: Female

Family member names: Lee (husband), Charlie and Rosie (kitty)

Where and why did you get Charlie: In 2018, I retired from a career I loved:  education. I taught for 10 years and then became principal for almost 30 years. Once I retired, I knew I could finally add a new pet to our family, and after much research, I decided to adopt a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I found an excellent breeder in Virginia and brought my 14-week-old puppy home in early July 2019. 

What is the story behind Charlie’s name? Charlie is the nickname for her given name, Charlotte. Her mother had two puppies in the litter, a male and a female, and the breeder named them Wilbur and Charlotte from the children’s book Charlotte’s Web. I would have adopted both, but sadly, the male had already been adopted.

Anything special about Charlie? Our back yard faces the golf course, and Charlie has always enjoyed sitting quietly watching the golfers—until they come toward her to say “hello,” and then she runs to them. During the past six years, she has made so many golfing friends that a couple of the regular golfers began calling her their official “doggie greeter” for the Yankee Trace golf course. If she is inside, the golfers will call her name, and whether she sees or hears them, she runs outside to say “hello.” Even when the weather is inclement, she sits at the sunroom window to watch the hardy golfers go by. This past summer, we visited friends in Florida, and Charlie got to ride in their golf cart—a big treat for her.

We often walk to the clubhouse during warmer weather, where Charlie sees many of her golfer friends and the wonderful servers at the terrace beverage window. Charlie waits by the window for her favorite treat: the server’s attention and ice-cold water in tall plastic cups. The water I provide is never as good.

What do you like best about Charlie? I can fully understand and appreciate the concept of a "therapy dog.” Charlie is calm all the time, and she keeps me and others around her calm and cool, as well. When we are driving through Yankee Trace, neighbors wave, and they expect me to stop so they can talk to Charlie.

Any funny stories? Charlie has a very thick coat and does not tolerate warm weather well. Her favorite temperature is 50—and below. When the temperatures are too warm, we bring out the stroller, and I put ice packs under the stroller pad to keep her cool from the bottom up. She gets out to walk part of the way, but the stroller is the best. I get comments from a few witty golfers about my furry child, and I laugh with them about my princess doggie.

How spoiled is your pet? In addition to her stroller, Charlie has a car seat to keep her safe, allowing her to see out the window. I’ve had two offers from drivers at stoplights to buy Charlie as she gives them her best smile from the window.

Is Charlie involved in any family traditions or holidays? She and Rosie are in our family Christmas pictures each year, and we celebrate their birthdays with special treats.

How has Charlie enriched your life? Dog's lives are not lengthy, so I enjoy having her with me every day. Charlie has taught me to be more patient and love without judgement. I'm not to her level of kindness, but she is such a good role model and has great hope for me. I walk Charlie a couple of times a day, and she has helped me to know the kindness of my neighbors and the blessing it is to live in Yankee Trace.

What else should we know about Charlie? As visiting guests prepare to leave our home, Charlie sneaks into their car, sits in the passenger seat with her head out of the window, and waits for a short ride down the street and back. She loves cars, golf carts, strollers, and elevator rides.