We have so many rescue dogs at our Adoption Center right now that I don’t get to spend the time that I used to with each and every one of them. Usually I get to know the dogs when I take them to the vet or to the park or on events and I cherish this time! Spending time with the animals is after all the best part of this work!
Today I got to take Charlie to Dr Mary in Manhattan, the wonderful vet who donated his vet care. A little background on Charlie: Charlie used to live with a homeless man in Union Sq and people witnessed him abusing the dog on the street. A wonderful volunteer went and bought Charlie from the homeless man in order to give Charlie a better life.
Charlie arrived at Bobbi & the Strays about two weeks ago. I was able to spend time with him then. He immediately wanted to go into the yard and play with his toys 
It was so awesome to see him run around carefree, throwing his toys in the air and swinging them around. When it came time to put him in a run, he was less than enthusiastic. One of our volunteers coaxed him in there and sat with him for over an hour to help him feel more comfortable. He began to relax and enjoy the new bone we gave him. He adjusted very quickly and now goes in and out of his run without an issue.
Today is the third visit to Dr Mary at Reade St Animal Hospital. He went for an initial exam, and then his neuter and now a recheck. He had an injury to the tip of his tail that the doctor had wrapped in order to prevent it from getting worse. Sometimes pitties wag their tail with such excitement in the runs that it hits the walls and can become injured.
I arrived at the shelter at ten am. Charlie was jumping up and down with happiness when I went to his run. I quickly leashed him up and took him outside. He did his business and when I brought him over to the car, he didn’t hesitate to jump in the back of the SUV. I gave him some toys- a couple of tennis balls and two rope toys and we were off.
I was a little nervous about driving into the city from Long Island alone. I always had a volunteer with me before but Charlie was a perfect passenger. He was playful with his toys but there was enough room for him back there for him to have fun and not interfere with driving. He knew his limits. He also knew which toys were his to chew on and play with and what items were mine that were not for him to chew on and play with Good boy, Charlie!
We drove over the Brooklyn Bridge and into Tribeca. I parked in a lot two blocks away and Charlie and walked through the very crowded, very busy, very loud, very hectic streets of lower Manhattan. There was construction, traffic, crowds of tourists, baby strollers, bikes etc and Charlie was so calm and well behaved. He walked without pulling at all. I gave him his rope toy to carry as he walked and several people stopped to point and say how cute he was. He was adorable!
We made it just in time for appointment and our friend Matt was waiting for us in the lobby. Charlie ran up to him in happiness to say hello. His whole body wiggles with joy. Turns out another friend of mine was in the waiting room with her dog and I introduced her to Charlie too. He was equally as enthusiastic. Great with meeting strangers!
We took some photos of Charlie. He automatically sat for his treat and when Matt would toss him the treat, Charlie would catch it in his mouth A big Malamute dog came in and though Charlie was excited he said hello the polite way and each dog went to the others side (as opposed to rudely going head on). Charlie did want to play and if we didn’t distract him with treats and toys his excitement would escalate. He responded very well though and remained calm and well behaved
When we went into the exam room, Charlie greeted Dr Mary and the tech- more happy tail wagging! He jumped on the exam table and stood calmly – perfectly still for his exam. Dr Mary unwrapped his tail to check on it. She had to cut some of the wrapping off with scissors and Charlie was very patient. His tail was healing – yay, great news!! The hair would take time to grow back. We decided to keep it wrapped due to Charlies enthusiasm in the run – we didn’t want it to open up again when he wagged his tail and it hit the side of the kennel. He never once became antsy or intolerant of all this handling. His neuter incision was healing well and everything else looked good! We thanked Dr Mary and Matt for helping us out and we were on our way!
Again through the busy Manhattan streets, Charlie was an angel. Such a good boy! I paid the parking attendant and we hopped back in the car. Charlie immediately went to the back and lay on his blankets for a nap. He napped the entire way back to Freeport. Though he is playful and has a lot of energy, he isn’t over the top. Once he gets his fair share of exercise he curls up for a rest. About an hour later we pulled into the shelter parking lot and I felt sad. I hate putting them back in the kennels, especially after they were so good like Charlie was. He went right back in though and I gave him his toys to take with him.
Charlie is going to make a great companion for someone, that I am sure of. He is smart, attentive, athletic, playful, friendly and well mannered. He is also a great size at 42 lbs (and its mostly muscle!). He is great in the car and great walking down busy streets. As you can see, I can’t say enough good things about Charlie. So please help us find him a home and share his story and photos. For more information, please email Adopt@bobbicares.org
PS the vet said charlie is around 1 year old. He has been neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested negative, is on interceptor for heartworm prevention, frontlined and dewormed. All he needs now is a home!
Charlie posing for the photographer
Charlie playing with a volunteer hs first day at the shelter
Handsome Charlie
Charlie was so good for his exam
Charlie resting on the car ride back